Greetings. I am new here and I am thankful to Millet for the kind invite. My question is regarding my potted citrus trees. I have become a true believer in Coconut husk chips. The trees I have planted in this medium do far better than ones in potting soil. A couple of weeks ago I took advantage of a relatively warm day here in New England and potted a couple of trees up. Several days later much yellowing and leaf drop. this didn't happen to the trees I potted last summer. Was it too cold outside (50's) was the water I soaked the trees in too cold? Did I not rinse the CHC enough? Are the trees doomed? Many thanks. I like the feel of this forum by the way. Very professional. Rocco

Welcome to the forum Rocco. You will find all the information you need here. Millet has the most experience with CHC's and should be able to answer your questions reguarding CHC.

Hi Rocco, glad you made it, like Laaz said you are certainly welcome here, thank you for joining the Citrus Growers Forum. It's great having you as a member. To answer your questions. (1.) Was it to cold outside. = No. Temperatures in the 50's would do no harm to citrus. ( 2.) Was the water I soaked the trees in to cold. = I strongly doubt it, as municipal tap water in most cities is delivered around 45F this time of year, although cool, 45 degrees should not harm citrus roots. 3.) Did I not rinse the CHC enough. = I don't know the answer to this question. Some suppliers sell CHC already pre-rinsed. I purchase my CHC's from the Crystal Company of Saint Louis, MO. and they pre-rinse their product before it is sold. I still rinse them two more times. I have a great web site that tells exactly the proper method of rinsing CHC's. I will locate it and post it here some time tonight, look for it. I guess the answer to this qustions is I don't know but I doubt it. ( 4.) Is the tree doomed? - I think it will be fine. Was the tree already growing in CHC's when you transplanted, or were you transplanting from a soil type of medium into CHC's? Rocco, at first glance it soulds like you damaged the roots system in the act of transplanting. You can transplant at any time of the year, but transplanting sould be done slowly and cautiously, and one should never be in a worry. Tell us more about the actual transplnting. Take care and regards, I hope you will be an active member, and stay around a long time. I'll locate the proper rinse method for CHC's and post it. Another member has already posted the link here a month or so ago, I'll find it. - Millet

if you have damaged the roots, dramatically prune out more than half of your canopy. It works for Benny and I when moving citruses from the ground and losing most of their roots.

Thanks maestro. The trees were in regular potting soil. My guess is that I did damage the roots somewhat. Not to worry I have several other trees that I put in CHC last summer and they are doing fine. I'll nurse these along. Once again thanks for welcoming to the new forum. I too hope to be around a long time!

Rocco, here is the web address that describes the proper method to condition CHC's. I think Junglekeeper and Stressbaby have posted this site before. The article is written by an orchid grower, but the rinsing method is exactly the same no matter what you are going to grow. Start reading at the 6th paragraph down. http://www.ladyslipper.com/coco3.htm
Millet

Thank you kindly.

Rocco:
I am glad you made it.
And welcome.
Benny