Do you have any orange, mandarin, lemon or any other fruit tree of the Citrus genus? Then you should know that are plants that need regular fertilization, since in this way it is avoided that they have chlorosis problems, as well as that they become weak and become diseased trees. And it is that it is usually thought that plants that are on land can be fine only with water and with the nutrients they get from the soil, but that is not so.
From the first moment in which the roots begin to absorb them, the countdown begins for that land to run out of them ... unless it receives organic matter that, when decomposed, will keep it fertile. That is why it is worth asking: What is the best fertilizer for citrus fruits?
When do you have to fertilize citrus?
Guano powder.
Citrus fruits are evergreen trees that are very favored by mild climates, without frost or very weak. Because of that, its growing season begins in spring, when the minimum temperature starts to exceed 10 degrees Celsius, and ends in autumn, when it drops below 10-15ºC.
Taking this into account, it is highly advisable to fertilize during all those months, especially in summer, since this way we will get healthy plants, with enough energy to produce a large quantity of fruits.
What is the best fertilizer for citrus fruits?
As we are talking about plants whose fruits are edible, the ideal is to use Organic fertilizersand compost, mulch, or the guano (get it here), since in this way we will also contribute to improving the quality of the soil in which they grow without harming the environment or the life in it.
But, can it be fertilized with compound / chemical fertilizers? Yes, of course, but only if the instructions specified on the packaging are followed to the letter. And, although its effectiveness is faster, the risk of overdose is much higher than if organic fertilizers were used.
What are the symptoms of nutritional deficiencies in citrus?
Leaves lacking in iron.
These trees usually have problems due to the lack of some mineral / s in the soil, especially if they are grown in clay and compact soils. To find out what they lack, below we tell you what are the nutritional deficiencies they may have:
- Sulfur (S): the leaves turn pale green, and the tips are curved.
- Boron (B): the leaves turn yellow and deformed, and the younger ones take on a tan tone.
- Football (Ca): the growth rate slows down, and the plant loses vigor.
- Phosphorus (P): lower flower production, and exaggerated growth of the fruits, which also have less juice.
- Iron (H): the leaves turn yellow, leaving the veins well visible.
- Magnesium (Mg): the leaves, especially the old ones, turn yellow, and the fruits remain small.
- Manganese (Mn): irregular yellow spots appear on young leaves.
- Nitrogen (N): leaves turn yellow and stay small.
- Potassium (K): old leaves wrinkle and curl, and fruits do not reach their original size.
To avoid them, it is highly advisable to use different organic fertilizers but without mixing; that is, one month we put a layer of guano that is very rich in the main nutrients (N, P, K), another month we put bone meal, which is rich in calcium, etc. Anyway, if you have doubts, contact us 🙂.
Hi there! thanks for all the information you post. I compost at home, and I would like to know the correct form and quantity of compost to fertilize my fruit trees (planted in soil) and my decorative plants (planted in pots).
Hello Sandra.
Compost is one of the best fertilizers there is for plants, but I do not recommend using it for those that are in pots since the substrate would lose the ability to filter water, which could cause the roots to rot. For them, it is better to use organic, but liquid, fertilizers, such as guano in its liquid form for example, which is nothing more than seabird manure.
Regarding the amount to add for the plants that are on the ground, it will depend on their size 🙂, but in general it is advisable to put a layer of about 3-5cm thick around the trunk, starting from this about 30cm or like this outward, depending on the size, I insist. If it is a plant that does not exceed 30cm in height, it will need less compost than one that is 10m tall.
If you have more questions, ask.
A greeting.
I have a lemon tree, the peel is very thick, what do I have to do to make it thin?
Hello Fco Olvera.
When a lemon tree produces lemons with very thick skin, it is because it is receiving too much nitrogen or too little phosphorus.
To solve the problem (both one and the other), it has to be fertilized with fertilizers rich in phosphorus, such as bone meal or rock phosphate. You will find these for sale in nurseries or garden stores.
Regards!
Hi there! I have a lemon tree and an orange tree (they are still small) I planted them last year around this time, the lemon tree grows much faster than the orange tree, it can be almost one meter and the orange tree will not reach half a meter, although it is full of new shoots and some flowers. I was wondering if it is already necessary to fertilize them or are they still too small, if so, what organic fertilizer would you recommend?
Hi Ignacio.
Don't worry about that difference in its growth: the lemon tree is faster than the orange tree 🙂
Regarding your question, you can fertilize them with dry chicken or cow manure. But that is important, that it is dry, since otherwise it can burn the leaves. Other options are compost, or mulch.
Regards!
can i fertilize a lemon tree with sheep manure
Hi Loli.
I do not recommend it, because the pH is very alkaline (greater than 7) and the lemon tree could have chlorotic leaves (yellow with green veins).
It is better to use chicken manure (without abusing, and as long as it is dry, since it is very concentrated), or guano.
A greeting!