I have been using fish fertilizer, 5-1-1 but have to stop using it as it is moulding and causing alergy problems even though the plants seem to love it, so my question is what type of fertilizer has proven to work well for you either liquid, granular or any form. I would prefer to use organic but I'm afriad that it may cause allergic response or cause a smell but if chemical must be used I will have no choice. Thank you for your help and suggestions,
Sincerely,
James

I wouldnt use fish emulsion indoors. stinnnnn-ky.

I havent tried using only worm castings on citrus, theyre a bit moisture-holding. Maybe some worm casting tea plus something? Ive bought organic stuff (feather meal, etc.) fert at Franks before, is there a similar store that carries items like that near you?

I dont love the idea of it, but im using the Expert gardener fake acid food miricle grow from Wal*mart cause its cheap and has minerals.

good luck!

Garnetmoth,
Yes there is a store that sells that knid of stuff near, I'm surprised that they do but maybe worth a try, I'm just a bit wary as mould doesn't like me so I do some research on how those things work in a tea and maybe it'll work. Thank you for the suggestions,
Sincerely,
James

Weather you use organic or non-organic fertilizers, the tree itself cannot tell the difference in the elements that the roots absorb and take up into the tree.. Nitrogen is nitrogen, is nitrogen, is nitrogen. In other words, nitrogen (N) from organic and non-organic (chemical) sources is 100% EXACTLY the same in either case. I have grown citrus trees using both organic and chemical fertilizers, but found I could not get a high enough nutrient level using organic fertilizers to supply the needs of the tree to obtain optimum growth. When using organic fertilizer sources, it is almost impossible to get even close to water soluble potassium that a citrus requires. Whatever you decide to use remember that citrus trees take up nutrients from the soil in the ratio of 5-1-3 (5 parts N, to each 1 part P205, and 3 parts K20.) There are many commercial products, both chemical and organic. They should be cosen according to the replacment of the absorbed minerals and their ratio 5-1-3 which is the ratio of the main elements lost from the orchard. I think this is even more important in containerized citrus, which are growing in an restricted environment. Take care and good luck. - Millet

Millet,
It's good to know that it's harder to get enough phosphorus with organic fertilizers with citrus as that could have caused, and may be still, a point of concern in the future. If you don't mind me asking, what fertilzer or mix of elements do you find to work with success, as you seem to have extremly healthy citrus trees in the pictures I've seen.
Also I'm growing in Coconut coir, perilite and sand, 4:1:1 ratio if this may cause any cause for concern with respect to fertilizing; they are seedlings less than a year old.
Thank you for your help,
Sincerely,
James

I'd like to get a fair amount of growth this year on small (now 2-3 ft) citrus going into good soil (rich, but ~1/3 perlite and thus well drained) in 10 gallon pots. I see that citrus wants a high N-ratio soil anyway, but is there any particular problem with fertilizing young citrus fairly heavily to quickly gain size? Obviously I will time it early, to slow down in fall. With, say, a loquat I'd be risking fireblight. Is there risk of problems with citrus?

Jtoi, I grow my trees in 4 parts Coconut Husk Chips, (1/4" or 1/2" or a mix of the two, depending on the tree size and rootstock), and one part peatmoss. I am at this time experimenting with substituting the peatmoss portion with coir, thus 4 parts CHC and 1 part coir. When using CHC or coir be sure to throughly rinse the salts completely out. I change the fertilizers I use depending on the pH of the growing mix. Currently I am using a 23-4-8 which would be approximately a 5-1-2 ratio, (it is hard to locate the perfect 5-1-3 ratio fertilizer blend). Your 4:1:1 mix should be OK, but keep an eye out for compaction. Gonebananas, a 10 gallon pot is a pretty large container for a smal 2-foot tree. Citrus are heavy feeders, but don't OVER feed the tree in an effort to push the growth. If you are planing to move your containerized trees indoors, or place the containers in a warm location during the fall and winter, than you do not have to worry about the feeding. However, if you are going to leave them outside, than you are correct to withold late feedings. - Millet

I like cottonseed meal (~ 7- 2-2) as a slow release fertilizer for containers too. It is also supposedly acidic. I've used it mainly on blueberries and pawpaws, but used some on containerized citrus last year. Feed stores sell it as animal food. A little bit of a moldering smell once it's wet and decomposing, so I wash it in well with a hose or add a little soil conditioner (fine bark chips) above it.

Millet,
Thank you, I have a hard time finding the fertilzer I'd like to use but I guess compromise should suffice.
I found a fertilizer mix and soil mix, partial from a university although I'm not sure which one, here is the link: http://www.fao.org/docrep/T0601E/T0601E08.GIF
Maybe someone has expierence with this? Also I've been thinking maybe that the big boxes of superphosphate and other such nutrients could be mixed to get a fertilizer but would it be ok to use for container citrus?
Also does Osmocote work ok for seedlings or even for bigger potted trees?
Thank you for your help,
Sincerely,
James

James, I use Osmocote for container plants. There are many formulas, but I am not sure if they are all available to gardener size containers. I see the 3 month formula, and the 9 month formula (18-6-12), most often in garden centers. I use the later, and another one (15-9-12), called the Southern 8-9 Month Formula in potted citrus. The Southern Formula was developed to overcome a problem that exists with coated fertilizers, whereby they release the fertilizer much faster in hot weather. This is not a problem in cool climates, but can result in escessive fertilizer release in the summer, in high heat regions of the country, especially when the fertilizer is topdressed.

There are formulas that last longer, but I don't use them in citrus, because I like for the fertilizer to run out before the end of the season. There are also brands besides Osmocote, which is made by Scotts.

Ned,
Thank you very much for your information and help. I imagine with some years work I can figure out how much to blend of different ones to lessen or even prevent the problems of the coated fertilizer as mentioned, which is good, keeps me busy then. You have given me quite a bit to think about and what seems to be the solution to my fertilizer problem.
Sincerely,
James

Jtoi, the 18-6-12 Osmacoate that Ned use ( a 3-1-2 ratio) would be a good fertilizer. I put Osmacoate in my growing mix when I blend the ingreadents together. I also add STEM, for the trace minerals. I really don't care much for the university blend you list in the above thread. That mixture would soon pack down. - Millet

Millet,
Thank you for replying as well as I was having doubts about that mix, it didn't seem too complete or maybe was for a study of sorts but am glad you gave your opinion so I didn't waste time with it. I think I am set on using the Osmocote and see how that works for awhile but that will have to wait until I order it. Thank you very much for your input both Millet and Ned and everyone else, it is very much valued and apprciated,
Sincerely,
James