[Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

[Dick]

Joan. I don't know if I mentioned irrigation but doing it right might 
rejuvenate your tree or give it new life if it has been done wrong.

A drip line is an imaginary line in the sand that defines the outer reach of 
the foliage. It should be the center of a shallow trench surrounding the 
tree. This is the only area in the root zone with the ability to adsorb 
water and nutrients. You should maintain a shallow level of water in this 
trench until you can easily sink a 36 inch soil probe to the hilt. If the 
soil is dry, you would need a sledge hammer to drive it in. With the soil 
properly soaked, you can sink it easily with one hand. Then you can shut off 
the water until you scratch in the trench and find dry soil about three 
inches deep. Then, repeat the procedure.

If the tree has not been properly irrigated, this procedure may cause it to 
explode with new growth.

Dick Gross
bcc: Arid Gardener

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joan Allen" <jcallenaz at cox.net>
To: "Dick" <rkgross3 at cox.net>
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2008 10:46 PM
Subject: Re: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page


> Thanks again for your humor. The rate I'm going I might become an 
> "embarrassment" before the tree does.
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Dick" <rkgross3 at cox.net>
> To: "Joan Allen" <jcallenaz at cox.net>
> Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2008 11:28 PM
> Subject: Re: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page
>
>
>> My pleasure, Joan. Hang in with the tree until it becomes an 
>> embarassment ----- Original Message -----
>>
>>
>> From: "Joan Allen" <jcallenaz at cox.net>
>> To: "Dick" <rkgross3 at cox.net>
>> Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 10:21 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page
>>
>>
>>> Thank you Dick for your response, which is the only one I've received 
>>> thus far. A neighbor also suggested that the age of the tree could be 
>>> the contributing factor to the problems it is experiencing. I hope we 
>>> can keep this beautiful tree for as long as we are in the house. It has 
>>> been an amazing tree, and like your trees, it  produces an abundance of 
>>> fruit. At least we can make its last years as comfortable as possible. 
>>> We are also up in age where a "lifetime guarantee" takes on a different 
>>> meaning. Thanks again.   Joan
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Dick" <rkgross3 at cox.net>
>>> To: <jcallenaz at cox.net>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 4:55 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page
>>>
>>>
>>>> Your tree, Joan, is at about the same place in life as I am at 83. 
>>>> Citrus species have a life span of roughly 30 to 40 years on average. A 
>>>> small number will live longer and others--depending on the amount of 
>>>> trauma and care it has had, may croak sooner. ny citrus that has had 
>>>> bark exposed to direct sun will have a shorter life span. I have four 
>>>> citrus aged about 40 years in the ground.  All show their age but still 
>>>> produce more than our family can consume.
>>>>
>>>> Every living organism has an average expected lifespan that is longer 
>>>> or shorter depending on the kind in care it has recieved and/or 
>>>> obstacles encountered.
>>>>
>>>> Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer.
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: <jcallenaz at cox.net>
>>>> To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
>>>> Sent: Monday, May 26, 2008 9:19 PM
>>>> Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> joan allen
>>>>> 85003
>>>>> jcallenaz at cox.net
>>>>>
>>>>> We have a very large grapefruit tree, about 48 yrs old located in back 
>>>>> yard on north side about 6 feet from house. Three concerns: it has a 
>>>>> fungus type of gummy sap oozing out in three places on its trunk about 
>>>>> 5 feet up from the ground, it's canopy is considerably thinner than 
>>>>> previous years, there are soft shell grey beetles on the trunk. Fruit 
>>>>> output is about the same. It is watered by automatic sprinkler system, 
>>>>> and fertilized on schedule recommended by Baker's Nursery. Last 
>>>>> fertilized in March with Baker's blend 16-8-4. We would like a 
>>>>> recommendation for a citrus tree expert to come an examine the tree. 
>>>>> We live in Central Phoenix. So far we have scraped off the fungus and 
>>>>> applied Bordeaux mixed with water to the places that are oozing. 
>>>>> Thank you.   Joan Allen
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Arid_gardener mailing list
>>>>> Arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu
>>>>> http://CALS.arizona.edu/mailman2/listinfo/arid_gardener
>>>>> All contents copyright 2007. Arizona Board of Regents/University of 
>>>>> Arizona
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>