I would like your advice on fertilizing a one year old lemon tree in the ground. I have been searching on your website for that info but not really finding it, at least not in the 20 minutes or so I've been searching.

Thanks much,
Ginny

As you do not list your location,, I will just have to guess that you are located in Florida. A tree that is only one year old, requires frequent light applications of fertilizer from February through September. For a one year old citrus tree you can fertilize it with either a fertilizer with the formulation 6-6-6 or a 8-8-8, If you use a 6-6-6 fertilizer than you should make 6 applications applying 0.4 to 0.8-lbs of fertilizer at each interval. Apply the 6 applications equally spaced out between February and September, For a 8-8-8 formulated fertilizer, still apply 6 applications equally separated between February to September at the rate of 0.3 to 0.6-lbs.. On a one year old tree NEVER use a fertilizer with an analysis greater than 8-8-8. Please list your trees location on your profile, thank you. - Millet (1,329-)

Thank you for the recommendation Millet. I updated my profile. I live in San Jose, California. I'll assume your recommendations still apply unless you post otherwise.

In my reading on this website I do see that there is divided opinion as to whether or not to go organic. I've been to alot of classes and lectures lately where they are strongly encouraging using organic fertilizers throughout your garden.

Ginny

Yes, the fertilizer application rate would be the same for California, except stop fertilizing in August instead of September. You can use either organic. or traditional fertilizers with your citrus tree. However, citrus are heavy feeders, requiring a lot of nutrition in order to produce a full crop of fruit. Trees given traditional fertilizers, always produce a better crop of fruit, and generally perform at a higher level. Which ever way you decide to feed your tree, what your tree's root system actually absorbs in the end, will be identical. The common phrase nitrogen, is nitrogen, is nitrogen is nitrogen, is certainly true. With organic fertilizers, the nutritional elements must first be changed into a usable form by soil organisms before the tree can use them. So what happens, is that the soil organism take the elements applied in organic fertilizers, and change them into a forum which the tree can use, which is, by the way, the exact same chemical forum that is already present in traditional fertilizers. However, you can certainly apply which ever fertilizer you feel better using. Welcome to the Citrus Growers Forum. Thanks for joining. Good luck to you and your tree. - Millet (1,329-)

In looking at all my various fertilizers, the only thing I have that is 8-8-8 or below is a Dr Earth organic 5-5-5. I'd go with that but now maybe I'm going back to thinking a chemical fertilizer would be better. I have a large variety of products but as I say, none with the first number especially being 8 or below. Interesting that the "citrus" fertilizer I have has a nitrogen number of 10.

I'd love to know the name of the brands that are 6-6-6 and 8-8-8 and not organic.

Thanks again

Ginny

A citrus fertilizer with 10 percent nitrogen, as in 10-10-10 is also commonly used to fertilize citrus trees. However, the higher nutrient fertilizer should not be used before the tree has reached the age of 4 years. You can use any brand that you are able to locate. NOTE: I changed the amount of fertilizer to apply with each application shown in the above thread. Originally I had mistakenly put the total years amount, and not the amount for each application. Please read, to obtain the correct amount.- Millet (1,329-)

I think I've got it now Millet, thank you!!
Ginny

so each time one does a fertilization you put .04 to .08 pounds of fertilizer in each watering ?
so i measure for example .06 pounds of fertilizer and add to the watering that day ?