[Arid_gardener] Re: Question regarding citrus fertilizing

[Dick]

Question regarding citrus fertilizingBetty, in a Master Gardener class in about 1987, Cooperative Extension Agent, Terry Mikel, stated that our Salt River Basin had every element needed for growth except for nitrogen like in 21-0-0 Ammonium Sulfate, and that fertilizer is all I have used in my overplanted and overgrown Phoenix yard since. Our desert soils are alkaline and 21-0-0 has some sulfur that helps our soil but follow directions on the bag about use or ask your nurseryman.. Yellowing is usually assumed to be the lack of nitrogen. But, be sure your irrigation practices are correct, too--, mainly its depth to encourage deep rooting but, additionally, deep-watering to flush soluble salts through and below the root zone is  important.

There may be species that require specialized fertilizer but I obviously don't know what they are.

21-0-0 is all you need in my humble opinion but other Master Gardeners are invited to weigh-in on the matter. If it says 21-0-0 on the bag, by law it has to be identical to any other brand with that code on the bag unless it also has mouse milk added. But, it would state, "21-0-0 with mouse milk"  Any other name on the bag is just dressing. Special circumstances might concievably require other elements but I can't, off the top of my head, think of what they might be or where used.

When we take the Master Gardener Course, Betty, we commit to using our talents and skill, however limited they may be, to unselfishly helping other home gardeners in any way we can to improve the communities in which we live.  Thus, we proudly call ourselves Master Gardener Volunteers. You don't need to be bashful about enlisting one of us to help you grow stuff.  We, most of us, don't have hoticultural degrees but we try to take our limitations in account when helping others. But, of course, we don't put ourselves at risk if we are wrong.

I am not familiar with "liquid deep root fertilizing product sold by landscaping companies or if the commercially sold solid fertilizers sold at places like nurseries, Home Depot, and WalMart," but I would be very suprised if they are of any value in our typical desert soil. In San Diego years ago, there was a product that claimed to break up impervious clay strata to improve drainage. It didn't work at all but it made a heck of a lot of impressive foam.

Commercial landscapers that I have been in contact with, appeared to be totally above board and honest. That does not necessarily prove their appraisal is correct but we seldom contract with anyone without checking. I would be suspicious of anyone without referances or a stellar reputation.  

Dick Gross, MGV

 
----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Betty Dong 
  To: Dick 
  Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2008 11:07 AM
  Subject: Question regarding citrus fertilizing


  A friend of mine forwarded a reply from you regarding yellow leaves on citrus trees. 

  Since your email address was included, I thought I would send a follow up question directly to you. I hope you don't mind.

  My question is if there is any advantage to the liquid deep root fertilizing product sold by landscaping companies or if the commercially sold solid fertilizers sold at places like nurseries, Home Depot, and WalMart are okay.

  Thank you for your time and talent!

  Betty Dong
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