Hello Everyone,

I am new to citrus growing and am so excited to have my own citrus trees! I currently have two potted trees, one a Calamondin that is about 1.5 years old and a Satsuma Mandarin that is about 6 months old. I have both of them for about 1 month. Both are on macrophylla root stock.
This image is from the other day.
[img=http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/6875/photo1ba.th.jpg]

This image is of when it came in April.


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I have a few questions and would appreciate some advice. The satsuma is alive and looks well, but has not put out any new growth since arriving. The calamondin has put out lots and looks really good. I have read that sataumas are really slow growing, but is this normal for one so young? A couple of days ago I re-potted it into a larger container with Citrustone and Fafard 52 in the hopes of getting it going.

The calamondin has leaves which are being eaten. I have inspected them in the day and just now in the late evening and can't see any bugs on the leaves on either side or on the stems. Should I be overly concerned.

I am thinking of getting a couple more, like a Meiwa Kumquat and a Trovita Orange.

Thanks for all your help.

My mandarines are very slow growing too, i have grown them for 5 years in ground, and still did not produce any fruit, just one or two fruits 2 years ago.
Maybe some flaying objects eat your leaves.

Thank you adriano & christofre for your replies. I spoke with a grower yesterday from South Carolina, Stan Mckenzie. He said essentially the same thing you have told me. Namely, that satsuma are slow growers and that citrus grows in spurts.
The look of the leaves is what keeps me "informed" that the tree is doing well.

When adequate growing condition are provided for a Satsuma, the tree should produce two new flushes of growth per year. If a fertilized Satsuma tree is provided with 15 hours of the proper level of light, while the root system is maintained at or near 80F (26.6C) the tree should produce three flushes per year, with a chance of a forth. Some of my trees, have produced 5 flushes of growth per year when given the above care. SeamanTov, welcome to the Citrus Growers Forum, we are happy to have you as a valued member.

Millet

My satsumas usually produce 4 flushes a year.

Thank you Millet & Laaz. I have noticed since re-potting & fertilizing the satsuma is putting out leaves in three areas on the graft, so I am feeling better about it.
We have been in the 90's for the past few days and I am sure we will be in the at least the 80's through the rest of the summer - the warmth is upon us here.

Welcome to the forum!

I'll be curious to see how your stuff does, as you're about 25 miles south of me (and 25 miles west). I'm in a slightly favorable microclimate for my area, so we've probably got pretty similar conditions.

It looks like everything of yours is in pots (mine too). Let us know if you figure out anything good that can survive outdoors year round.

Hi Synovia,
Nice to hear from a fellow Marylander. I have been in touch with Stan McKenzie from McKenzie farms in South Carolina. He specializes on cold hardy citrus and says that his citrus can survive winters, even here. Obviously really cold days & nights, in the teens would be problematic, but we average winters in the 30's and 40's.
I would suggest you call him and speak to him about growing in ground if that is what you want to do, here in Maryland. He may even be able to speak to growing in pots year round in our geographic location.
I don't personally have the space for that, so I will keep my trees in pots & winter them indoors. I want that citrus aroma in the house.