Question:
My year and a half old Washington Naval Orange tree didn't survive the frost this winter as all the leaves fell off leaving brown sticks. I pruned it back for new growth, and for a very long time nothing happened. Now, I have noticed some new green growth at the base of the plant near the soil. Do I cut it again back to the new growth, or leave it as is?
Answer:
It’s not unusual for a plant to slowly respond from cold weather damage. The new growth may or may not be good news depending on where it is sprouting from but I would cut it back to this point. Oranges are budded on another type of citrus or rootstock. You’ll need to check to see if the growth is developing above or below the 'Bud Line'. The 'Bud Line' is a diagonal line on the truck where the Naval Orange is attached/budded to the Trifoliate Orange rootstock. It’s usually found within a foot or two of the ground. There also may be a color difference between the two trunks. If the new growth is above this point you’re okay however if the growth is below this line then it's the rootstock that is sprouting. The growth of the Trifoliate Orange rootstock has very long thorns, grows twice as fast as the naval orange, the leaves are in three’s and it's fruitless. If this is the case which I believe it is, I would replace the existing plant with a new Naval Orange. In mid-November, you winterize citrus by spraying the foliage with Bonide Wilt Stop or Cloud Cover when frost warning are issued and cover it with a Plant Blanket.
Question:
I've heard that Epsom Salts was very good for bell peppers. What else can Epsom Salts be applied to?
Answer:
Epsom Salts is a crystal form of hydrated Magnesium Salt. Magnesium is a secondary nutrient that helps with the production of chlorophyll for dark green leaves along with fruit production. Within plants, cell walls are strengthened and it improves the plants uptake of nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur. Magnesium is required by all plants in varying degrees. For most plants, our soil have sufficient amount of Magnesium but Bell Peppers, Tomatoes and Roses do response with additional amounts. For optimal growth, tomatoes and peppers need additional Magnesium as it makes available the other nutrients. Besides a dark green foliage with roses, Epsom Salts encourages more new canes at the bottom of the plant. This is referred to as 'bottom breaks'. These new shoots are important in keeping the plant compact as well as generating replacement canes for the older growth. With roses, Epsom Salts or Magnesium Sulfate is recommended once in the spring and again in the fall. You’re more app to find Magnesium Sulfate at your favorite garden center. Also, it’s an addition to your normal fertilizer not a replacement.
