Auckland
October
Q.
Hi Tui, I need to relocate citrus trees - lemon and lime. When is the best time of the year to do this and what preparation do I need to do before and after? Thanks.
Tanya Johnson
A.
Hi Tanya, success will depend upon how established the trees are. The best time to move or transplant established trees is in winter through to early spring when plants aren't actively growing and there is plenty of moisture in the soil, transplanting at this time enables plants to develop new roots and re-establish before summer. Ideally, the best way to move them is to 'wrench' around the trees by digging to a spade depth around the dripline of the tree (which is where the foliage extends out to). Do this two to four weeks before you want to move the trees as it will help reduce transplant shock and stimulate new root growth. Prior to moving your trees, apply Tui Seaweed Plant tonic at a rate of 70ml per 9L watering can weekly. Once moved, cut back foliage by approximately one third to stop fresh new growth from wilting.
It is getting a bit late in the season now to move plants, and is probably worth waiting until autumn and winter to move the trees, but if you are prepared to water and nurture the trees through summer you can still move these trees. Dig around the dripline and take as much of the root ball as is manageable to help reduce transplant shock. Before moving, dig the new planting hole so that the trees can be dropped straight in. Plant using Tui Citrus and Fruit mix which contains a 6 month controlled release fertiliser, seaweed extract, Saturaid wetting agent to channel water to the roots. Make sure the trees are regularly watered, at least 3 times a week, depending upon the weather, continue with the seaweed plant tonic after planting, apply weekly, once the trees are planted mulch around them to help conserve soil moisture, Tui Mulch & Feed is the perfect mix to do this. Regards, The Tui Team.
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When and how do I transplant citrus trees? Comments
Hi Tui, A year ago I planted a Satsuma Mandarin tree. It's still small. Unfortunately its in the wrong place. I live in Tauranga so although it's end April the temps are still around 20 degrees. Can I transplant now to a large pot? Do I wrench around the tree given it's still smallish should I cut back a third of the foliage? Is there any special feeding required for mandarin trees grown in large pots. Many thanks Jill.
Jill Kane
Lianne
Hi Jill, ideally if you can wait another month before moving the tree, temperatures will have cooled a bit more by then and there will be less chance of the tree wilting from transplant shock. If the tree can stay in the ground for another month start feeding it now with Tui Seaweed Plant Tonic at a rate of 70-100ml per 9L watering can, do this weekly to help stimulate new root growth and to reduce transplant shock when the tree is uplifted and moved. If the tree needs to be moved now, wrench around the drip line digging to a spade depth, leave the tree in the ground for a week before moving. If the tree isn't very big, cutting it back by one third may be too much, so just cut back any soft new growth by one third to prevent it wilting. Make sure the pot it is being planted into is a good size (50cm or larger), if the pot is too small it won't hold enough water in the potting mix, the tree will dry out too quickly and not flourish, as well as out grow the pot quickly. Use a quality potting mix such as Tui Citrus and Fruit mix which has the right blend of nutrients, it is a free draining perfect citrus in pots. Regularly apply Tui Seaweed Plant Tonic at the rate above, keep doing this weekly until the tree starts showing signs of recovery. Make sure it is well watered, even if there is a little rain, it will need additional watering, water every 2-3 days until it is established. If using a quality potting mix to replant your mandarin, you won't need to feed the tree until spring as Tui Citrus & Fruit mix contains all of the nutrients the tree requires for now. In spring feed with Tui Enrich Fruit, Citrus, Tree & Shrub controlled release fertiliser, repeat in late summer, early autumn. Through out the growing season liquid feed using Tui Seaweed & Fish every fortnight. The key is to make sure the tree is sufficiently watered throughout the summer months.