Q. We have two citrus
trees (Meyer lemon and Bearss lime) which we put in clay pots. The pots are
deteriorating and the trees need to be transplanted into other pots. In the
desert, what time of year is best to transplant these trees into new containers?
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| Fruit trees growing in containers should have the soil amended or replenished every 3 to 4 years. |
A. Put them into new pots in late Winter or at the beginning
of Spring. In our Las Vegas climate around the end of February or so.
Containerized plants need the soil in the container “refreshed”, or the plant
repotted, every 3 to 4 years or they will begin to decline.
of Spring. In our Las Vegas climate around the end of February or so.
Containerized plants need the soil in the container “refreshed”, or the plant
repotted, every 3 to 4 years or they will begin to decline.
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| Grapefruit tree in container |
This is not difficult if the containers and plans are
relatively small; the plant is gently eased from the container, the roots and
soil around the edge of the root ball is shaved off, and the plant is put back
in the container with fresh soil or container mix.
relatively small; the plant is gently eased from the container, the roots and
soil around the edge of the root ball is shaved off, and the plant is put back
in the container with fresh soil or container mix.
If these plants are large, refreshing the soil still
needs to be done every few years. Perhaps the best way to do that is to auger vertical
holes throughout the root ball inside the container and fill them with a new container
soil or soil mix.
needs to be done every few years. Perhaps the best way to do that is to auger vertical
holes throughout the root ball inside the container and fill them with a new container
soil or soil mix.
Yes, this damages plant
roots but the soil mix needs to be refreshed.