OK I just had to tell the world - I've had a dwarf navel on a C-35 rootstock in a 24" container since February. It's quite an old tree, I suspect, because the trunk is 1-1/2" diameter, and I've always suspected that the tree was badly neglected at the nursery from which I purchased it because the very unusual shape of the branches look as if the container blew-over and the tree grew that way for quite a long time.

Nevertheless, I brought it home and re-potted it after a while, but not until I enjoyed the fabulous fragrance of the blossoms - once the blossoms all dropped that lil tree hasn't shown but one new shoot with 2 leaves on it and I thought it was stunted - I really thought that growing sideways had ruined it and it just wasn't going to recover...

But now... wow is all I can say - it has new growth all over it! Finally!

PS. All of my trees - 2 Dwarf Navels and a Mexican Lime, are recovering nicely from their Epsom Salt over-dose - I even have 2 nice limes growing.

It is always great to hear such good news. Adversity has long been a good teacher. Congratulations. - Millet

I know I still have quite a ways to go but I'm feeling pretty good that I've made it this far without killing any trees!

Although containerized citrus trees can live to become old trees, producing fruit for many years, the average life span of a container grown citrus trees is only two years. - Millet

Millet,

My two key limes have been in pots for 7 years now and continue to produce fruit each year. I have not re-potted them in six years, but I do add slow release citrus fertilizer every other month, about a cup or so to each plant. Both are loaded with young fruit right now. I suppose I should re-pot them, but they seem so happy I hate to disturb them.

I just added a Kaffir lime to my collection this weekend. I am trying to find a rangpur lime and a tavares limequat to add to the collection.

Now that the 'handicapped' tree is finally growing, I feel relieved. I'm no expert but it's always looked like it has the makings for a fine container tree, though I know we're talking large container.

Depending on how the tree does for the remainder of this year I'd like to transfer it to a nice large square container - 24x24x24 would sit nicely on my patio.

The younger tree I purchased from Lowes - still in a plastic nursery container, is growing incredibly - one new branch grew about 2" above the graft and that branch has to be 18" long, in about 2-months. I never knew any citrus could grow that rapidly.

I'm wondering if anyone can explain why the sudden new growth has such LARGE leaves on it? I mean they look like genetic mutations of sorts

It's just amazing that the tree sat there for so long seeming to do nothing and now it's just blazing away...

Karl, when a tree has been growing badly, or when there has been leaf drop, it is quite common to see the tree put out new growth with a huge leaf or two. When you look at a branch on a citrus tree, you will notice that the first leaves (closest to the trunk) are the largest leaves. As your eyes move down the branch towards the tip (end), you notice that the leaves gradually become smaller and smaller, with the smallest leaf at the very tip. In most cases what appears to be a "huge" leaf being produced by a recovering tree, is in actuality the highest (first) growing leaf on the branch, the one that will be the closest to the trunk. They look exceptionally large because the succeeding smaller leaves either have not flushed out yet, or grown to size. As the tree fills out in the weeks to come, what looked to be an exceptionally large leaf will become more or less just an appropriate sized leaf for its position on the branch. Normally as time passes you will soon be unable to point it out. BTW is your tree still putting on a lot of new growth? Did you decide to buy the book that I was telling you about or not? Take care, and continued health to your tree. - Millet

Millet,

I have not yet purchased the book - work has slowed up a little so I've been watching my spending a little more carefully, but it should pick up soon and I will get the books then (I believe you recommended 2 - I have that email on my laptop and will check it tonight).

As for the tree - it's putting on a surprising amount of new growth which seems to be growing quite fast - a few of those enormous looking leaves there too, which are good to see!

I feel great that I made it through the Epsom Salt episode without killing my trees, and I think my watering routine isn't too bad, as far as I can tell. I let them dry out pretty good so that the soil is dry a good 3 or 4 inches deep... it seems to be about right as the leaves aren't turning yellow, or wilting, and the trees are growing.