15 responses |
John starts with ... Hi, i'm a bit desperate. I have a very unwell potted kumquat tree given to my eldest daughter by her now deceased grand-father and I am very ken to save it. I'm not able to describe it tonight but I am hoping that someone might be able to pint me to someone in Melbourne who I have come to look at it or somewher that I can take it for some advice. Help (please). | About the Author John41 Melbourne 30th December 2010 10:49pm #UserID: 4717 Posts: 6 View All John41's Edible Fruit Trees |
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| About the Author VioletCactus1 Melbourne 31st December 2010 12:09am #UserID: 516 Posts: 349 View All VioletCactus1's Edible Fruit Trees |
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MaryT says... I'm sorry to hear it, John. I'm in Sydney so can't come but kumquats are tough so I'm sure you can save it. Not knowing if it has a particular problem, I can only make some general suggestions: 1. Regular watering is crucial 2. A sunny position is best 3. If it has been in a pot for a long time it could be root bound and repotting it in a larger pot using premium mix may help 4. If it has been repotted, well watered (not drowned) and in a good position, maybe it needs a feed - some seasol, dynamic lifter and slow release citrus fertiliser if it improves. I find slow release fertiliser is important in the long run because potted plants tends to lose nutrients steadily. 5. If it has scale or other pest you can try spraying it with white oil all over, both sides of leaves as well as the trunk (recipe: one teaspoon of vegetable oil and one drop of detergent to one spray bottle full of water); you can't hurt it with this mix. I can't think of anything for now. I love cumquats - I have five - so I do hope you can save yours. | About the Author MaryT Sydney 31st December 2010 7:59am #UserID: 5412 Posts: 2066 View All MaryT's Edible Fruit Trees |
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John says... Hello, thank-you very much for your advice and interest. I have attached some photos. The story is that the tree was healthy up until recently when I noticed the leaves starting to curl and some of them looking a bit yellow. I thought it might be dry so watered it well but to no avail. Recently my wife took a leaf/branch to the local nursery where they thought maybe it was water logged and could do with a new pot. So I have repotted it (3 days ago)with a potting mix recommended, have fed with magnesium and a citrus fertiliser and moved it into a position where it gets the afternoon sun directly. I'm not sure if its wet or dry so I'm being a bit half hearted with the watering. Still it looks not well. I would be grateful for any further advice or suggestions. Cheers. John
| About the Author John41 Melbourne 31st December 2010 11:29am #UserID: 4717 Posts: 6 View All John41's Edible Fruit Trees |
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| About the Author MaryT Sydney 31st December 2010 2:56pm #UserID: 5412 Posts: 2066 View All MaryT's Edible Fruit Trees |
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| About the Author MaryT Sydney 1st January 2011 8:58am #UserID: 5412 Posts: 2066 View All MaryT's Edible Fruit Trees |
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Violet_Cactus says... It looks to me as if the tree has suffered severe drought. It looks as if it has not been watered for a very long time. It may be past saving, though trees are remarkably resilient so there's hope. 1. Place the pot in a bath of cold water to which a good dose of Seasol has been added. The water level should be at least up to the rim of the pot. and leave it there for a few hours until the soil is completely saturated. 2. While the potting soil is being re-hydrated, take a pair of clean, sharp secateurs whose blades have been sterilised in methylated spirits and prune off all sprigs with dead and dying leaves on them. 3. Get a cup or small jug and pour the water/Seasol mixture over the remaining leaves. Leaves can absorb moisture and nutrients. 4. Do NOT feed/fertilise your tree while it is stressed. (Seaweed solution such as Seasol is more of a tonic than a food.) 5. After you take it from the water bath, sprinkle the potting soil with a soil-wetting agent such as Saturaid. You could also mulch the soil with lucerne (best) or pea straw (second best). 6. Keep your tree in bright shade for the next month or two. Not direct sun but not deep shade either. 7. DO allow the soil to almost completely dry out between waterings, as citrus trees will die if they are constantly waterlogged. Do NOT overwater, but don't under-water either. 8. When you see some new green shoots, give the tree a small amount of weak fertiliser. It could be weeks/months before you see any shoots. 9. When your tree is strong enough, consider re potting it to a bigger pot with fresh soil. Don't do it now, as it is too sick to survive transplant shock. 10 Good luck! | About the Author VioletCactus1 Melbourne 1st January 2011 1:27pm #UserID: 516 Posts: 349 View All VioletCactus1's Edible Fruit Trees |
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Original Post was last edited: 1st January 2011 1:29pm | ||||||||||
John says... Hello, many thanks for your advice and interest. I have put into place everything suggested and will wait with my fingers crossed. I'm always humbled when people who don't know me take the time to help me-so thanks! I wondered about the merits of trying to take a graft from the tree-as a sort of insurance policy? What root stock would I use (or is it too late to think about that)? I'll keep you posted and Happy New Year-hope its a good one! | About the Author John41 Melbourne 1st January 2011 2:51pm #UserID: 4717 Posts: 6 View All John41's Edible Fruit Trees |
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| About the Author VioletCactus1 Melbourne 1st January 2011 7:03pm #UserID: 516 Posts: 349 View All VioletCactus1's Edible Fruit Trees |
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Brad says... If the roots looked healthy when you repotted this tree, there is yet hope. that said your 4th picture says it really needs a higher pot with a layer of mulch over those breaking roots. My in-laws have 2 kumquats which rejuvenated from twigs. They moved house, lost lots of soil from the pot moving and then weren't cared for for a while. But when soil was replaced and routine watering resumed they reshot. Needed a prune to thin out the new growth and hack back the dead bits and now they're healthy. AS VC said, do not fertilize sick trees. Wait until it shows sign of rejuvenation on its own (new growth). Seaweed / Seasol fortnightly is ok. Do not overwater. stick to a routine. | About the Author Brad2 G hill,Perth 2nd January 2011 12:04am #UserID: 2323 Posts: 762 View All Brad2's Edible Fruit Trees |
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Original Post was last edited: 2nd January 2011 12:05am | ||||||||||
| About the Author VioletCactus1 Melbourne 2nd January 2011 1:50pm #UserID: 516 Posts: 349 View All VioletCactus1's Edible Fruit Trees |
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| About the Author John41 Melbourne 3rd January 2011 9:46am #UserID: 4717 Posts: 6 View All John41's Edible Fruit Trees |
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| About the Author Brad2 G hill,Perth 14th January 2011 5:13pm #UserID: 2323 Posts: 762 View All Brad2's Edible Fruit Trees |
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Original Post was last edited: 14th January 2011 5:14pm | ||||||||||
John says... Hi All, thanks for ongong interest. I think its going to be OK. I have new (very small but nonetheless there) buds coming up on the cumquat. Also, a couple of shoots off the root stock which I have taken off. So, fingers crossed and a long way to go but I think its going to survive! I'll certainly post a new photo when its looking a little more like a fruit tree! Brad-glad to hear your tree's flowering well, hope the fruit brings you much happiness. Cheers. | About the Author John41 Melbourne 15th January 2011 11:36am #UserID: 4717 Posts: 6 View All John41's Edible Fruit Trees |
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Brad says... great John. if you get multiple branches off one bud (and this might happen lots), remove all but the one that gives you the preferred tree shape (often a lower outward facing branch). If you have few healthy leaves, wait a little before doing this to let the leaves 'feed' the tree. fertilize only when there's a fair bit of healthy green in the canopy and then you should be well on the way to a happy tree. | About the Author Brad2 G hill,Perth 16th January 2011 12:34am #UserID: 2323 Posts: 762 View All Brad2's Edible Fruit Trees |
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BUFFBOY1 says... Hi all, I recently re-potted my Kumquat trees and both of them are doing this. The fruits are soft and leaves turning yellow. After re-potting it, we watered it few times a week and then stopped, now its doing this. Could it be over watering ? It dosent feel dry or too wet. There are draining holes in a large 75L pot gets some sun up until lunch time. Please help. Thanks | About the Author BUFFBOY1 SYDNEY,2000,NSW 26th March 2019 1:37pm #UserID: 20000 Posts: 1 View All BUFFBOY1's Edible Fruit Trees |
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