Fertilize organically or minerally?
To the optimal care a citrus plant - no matter which one Citrus variety it comes from - not only belongs to the process of Fertilizing per se. The choice of fertilizer also contributes significantly to their vitality and beauty.
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- Citrus plants - this care makes them shine
- Repotting citrus plants - time for new soil and a new pot?
- Earth for citrus plants - that's how it has to be
Organic fertilizers such as compost, Horn shavings(€ 32.93 at Amazon *) or Horse manure only have a long-term effect, can be decomposed much more slowly in the pot. The necessary incorporation into the soil is also difficult to carry out without damaging the roots.
Nutrients from suitable mineral fertilizers, on the other hand, reach the roots of the citrus plant via the irrigation water and are immediately available.
Tips
Organic fertilizer is not entirely excluded. This is how you can with the Repotting a citrus plant like to mix the fresh soil with some compost. Coffee grounds can also be used as a fertilizer from time to time.
Use immediate or slow release fertilizer?
Both are possible. If you have little time to take care of your citrus plants, then you should reach for one Slow release fertilizer. Otherwise, a direct fertilizer is more recommended. This allows you to adjust the dosage quickly and precisely to your needs.
The ideal nutritional composition
The elements that a citrus plant should get are:
- Nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) roughly balanced
- Phosphate (P), on the other hand, in smaller quantities
- for example NPK combination 20-5-15
- Trace elements such as boron, iron, copper, magnesium, manganese and zinc
Tips
Citrus plants can be watered with hard water, because they not only tolerate, but also need the element calcium.
Buy fertilizer or mix it yourself?
The trade has all kinds of fertilizers available, including some that are ideal for citrus plants. But you can too Make fertilizer for citrus plants yourselfby buying the items you need separately and mixing them together at home. That saves money! The effort is only worthwhile if you have to care for several citrus plants at the same time.
Time and dosage
Citrus plants are only fertilized during their main growing season from April to August. If the weather is still warm, cautious fertilization can also be used in September and October. During the wintering on the other hand there is no need for nutrients.
The question still arises as to whether it is fertilized weekly or monthly and how high the dosage should be. If you act according to the manufacturer's instructions, you are on the safe side. Mineral fertilizers are administered with irrigation water. Water the plant so that the entire root ball is soaked. So the nutrients do not stay in the top layer of the earth, but reach all the roots.
