Comments on: An update on my lemon tree

By: Dani

Dani — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:46:11 +0000

I wish our council was that practical TruelyPru. Ours plants trees in spring tht could wait until autumn and then tells me to use my water o them every 2 days. I think not!
WE do have clay base but there is no danger whatsoever of too much water I’m afraid. We’re up high and our drainage is deep and thorough.

By: TruelyPru

TruelyPru — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 23:41:20 +0000

The council puts these in for trees - also acts as a reservoir. Do you have problems with clay soil - it may be that the roots are in a sink with too much water. There are the wetting agents that might help.

By: Dani

Dani — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 09:15:50 +0000

Love the idea of putting fertiliser down there as well 2BB. I just went and followed your wise example

By: 2beautboys

2beautboys — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 01:54:53 +0000

We have a pipe sunk in for our lime tree. We have since we put it in the ground. It has faired well but is still a little tree. We fert down the pipe to. It’s amazing how the tree perks up with a good fert of Dynamic Lifter (blood and bone).

By: Dani

Dani — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 09:28:36 +0000

Me too Docwitch! Hopefully more successfully than the last few attempts.
Hopefully the addition of the mulch and compost will stop the run off problem Em and between the 2 factors I may even get to stop murdering poor defenceless lemon trees. I had a good look at the leave today and I don’t know if it was just unjustified optimism but the leaves appeared a little healthier.

By: Em

Em — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:11:01 +0000

Hey Dani, I did mean to say I think it’s a fab idea too - lol, forgot that bit - getting water down to the taproot will help make for a stronger plant. So a combination of both deep and surface watering should be good for a tap-rooted surface feeder. Love to hear how it goes, I’m still feeling a little unceratin as a citrus killer.

Ems last blog post..Lemon Braised Artichoke Hearts

By: Docwitch

Docwitch — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:32:28 +0000

excellent idea. The soil is generally so dry now that water does run off the top a lot of the time. So the pipe looks like the way to go. I’m interested to see how it goes over the next few months.

Docwitchs last blog post..There’s Magic in Them Thar Hills

By: Dani

Dani — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:24:41 +0000

Thanks Em. I haven’t mulched it up yet which is not like me. Must do that. Will give it a layer of compost and then mulch the top and see how that goes.
I thought I was too Kel. Except for missing the whole top feeder bit LOL. Thanks, it’s not the most focussed pic but a change is as good as a holiday.

By: kelly

kelly — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:01:38 +0000

i really have no idea, but in reading your post I thought you were very clever! good luck with the ideas.
I love your new pic btw

By: Em

Em — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:29:51 +0000

Haven’t tried it Dani, only read people recommend similar things. Lemon trees are surface feeders so altho they have a tap root, will still need moisture in the topsoil to allow nutrient uptake through the feeder roots (the nutrients need to be dissolved in water stored in the soil to be available to the plant).

Would it be possible to mound up the dirt into a saucer shape around each tree, then pile several inches of hay mulch over the top? When soils become too dry they can be hydrophobic (water repellant), but if you get a bit of an interface of slowly breaking down organic matter it will help retain moisture, and work some more OM into the topsoil - which helps the soil on lots of levels.

sorry for the long answer, succinct isn’t my Familiar!

Ems last blog post..Lemon Braised Artichoke Hearts