Fertilization tips for citrus plants

Contents

1.  Citrus plants have a high calcium requirement, cannot tolerate much phosphate and often only seemingly suffer from iron deficiency. We explain to you how to fertilize the Mediterranean treasures correctly.
   2. Fertilize citrus plants: The most important things at a glance
   3. Which fertilizer is the right one for citrus plants?
   4. How often do you fertilize citrus plants?
   5. Tip: If the pH value is low, fertilize citrus plants with algae lime

 Citrus plants have a high calcium requirement, cannot tolerate much phosphate and often only seemingly suffer from iron deficiency. We explain to you how to fertilize the Mediterranean treasures correctly.

In order for citrus plants to develop well in the tub and form large fruits, 

they must be regularly fertilized during the main growth period in summer, 

from April to September, preferably weekly. 

Organic fertilizers such as "Acet DüngeSticks für Zitruspflanzen" (Neudorff) 

or an organic-mineral citrus plant fertilizer (Compo) are recommended.

Fertilize citrus plants: The most important things at a glance

Citrus plants such as lemons, oranges or kumquats should be fertilized 

once a week during the main growth period, i.e. 

from April to September, so that they grow well and form large fruits. 

The most suitable fertilizers are commercially available citrus plant fertilizers, 

either organic or organic-mineral. 

If you have a larger citrus collection, you can also use "HaKaPhos Gartenprofi", 

a mineral fertilizer used in professional horticulture. 

However, this should be used sparingly, as otherwise it can easily lead to over-fertilization. 

If the pH value is too low, algae lime can help.

Which fertilizer is the right one for citrus plants?

Hobby gardeners with a large collection of citrus plants usually do not 

choose special citrus fertilizers for cost reasons. 

Many of them have made good experiences with the fertilizer "HaKaPhos Gartenprofi". 

This is actually a mineral fertilizer for professional horticulture, 

which is also available in garden centers in smaller five kilogram containers. 

It has a nutrient composition of 14-7-14, i.e. 14 parts nitrogen and potassium and 7 parts phosphate. 

This ratio suits citrus plants, as they are sensitive to high phosphate levels over time. 

As the experts at the Horticultural Research Institute in Geisenheim have found out, 

sustained high phosphate levels lead to growth disturbances and leaf discoloration. 

The classic balcony plant fertilizers, the so-called "flowering fertilizers", 

are unsuitable for citrus plants because they have too high a phosphate content. 

The nutrient is needed by balcony flowers such as geraniums in large quantities for the formation of flowers.

How often do you fertilize citrus plants?

As with all mineral fertilizers, one must be very careful when dosing HaKaPhos to avoid over-fertilization. 

It should be administered in liquid form once a week during 

the main growth period from April to September by dissolving it in water. 

The concentration should not exceed two grams per liter. 

In case of doubt, it is better to stay a little below the manufacturer's instructions when dosing.

Tip: If the pH value is low, fertilize citrus plants with algae lime

Another important nutrient for citrus plants is calcium. 

If you live in a region with hard tap water, 

you usually do not need to supply it separately. 

In principle, however, it makes sense to measure the pH value 

of the potting soil every spring - it should be between 6.5 and 7.0. 

If you water with rainwater or soft tap water, the pH value can fall slightly below the lower limit.

In this case you should sprinkle some algae lime on the ball of the pot. 

It provides not only calcium, 

but also other important nutrients such as magnesium and various trace elements.

An undersupply of calcium manifests itself in weak growth, 

sparse foliage and low fruit set. 

In the case of a severe undersupply, the plant forms only small, 

crippled leaves, which are partially lightened towards the edge. 

Even with classic iron deficiency symptoms - light green leaves 

with sharply defined dark green leaf veins - you should first measure 

the pH value. 

Often, iron deficiency is in fact a calcium deficiency: 

the plant can no longer absorb sufficient iron from a pH value 

below 6, even though it is present in sufficient quantities in the potting soil.