I have a question about fertilizer. I live in Dallas TX and have two kumquat trees outside in ceramic pots. I found two Miracle Grow water soluble fertilizers. One is 24-8-16 the other is 30-10-10. Which one do you think will be best for kumquat trees? I know the ideal ratio is 5-1-3 but I have seen 30-10-10 (3-1-1 ratio) recomended. In both the fertilizers the Nitrogen (N) is made up of almost all Urea Nitrogen. Should I use either of these or find something with low or no Urea? What brand of fertilizer are you all using? Also what is Iron Cheleate? Thanks for your help.

I use Vigoro and it has worked out very well. You can find it at all Home depot's http://www.vigoro.com/ProductCategories/PlantFood/PremiumCitrusAvocadoFood/

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09ltrain, welcome to the forum! I don't know the answer to your urea question. I use Multicote 18-6-12, which is a slow-release pelleted type with micronutrients that I get at my local hardware store.

Iron chelate is an iron supplement that is water soluble. The "chelate" part is an organic compound that binds to the iron and makes it soluble. Chelates are also used to treat heavy-metal poisoning because of this property.

Citrus need a lot of iron, so in many soils you have to supply more than is naturally available. Using iron chelate, you can just mix it into water and irrigate with it or spray it on the foliage.

If I had to choose between a 24-8-16 and 30-10-10 for a container tree, personally I would choose the 24-8-16, provided both of the above formulations contained trace minerals. Citrus require a lot of nitrogen and potassium, and not so much phosphorus (middle number). - Millet (1,246-)

Thanks for your help everyone. I will use the 24-08-16 and keep track of any changes.