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 respond slowly to 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 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 it is below this line, it's the rootstock sprouting.
- The growth of Trifoliate Orange rootstock has very long thorns, grows twice as fast as the naval orange, the leaves are in threes, 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 warnings are issued and cover it with a Plant Blanket.
Question:
I've heard that Epsom Salts were very good for bell peppers. What else can Epsom Salts be applied to?Answer:
- Epsom Salt is a crystal form of hydrated Magnesium Salt.
- Magnesium is a secondary nutrient that helps produce chlorophyll for dark green leaves and fruit production. Within plants, cell walls are strengthened, improving the plant's uptake of nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur.
- Magnesium is required by all plants in varying degrees. For most plants, our soil has sufficient Magnesium, but Bell Peppers, Tomatoes, and Roses respond with additional amounts.
- For optimal growth, tomatoes and peppers need supplemental Magnesium as it makes available the other nutrients. Besides dark green foliage with roses, Epsom Salts encourage more new canes at the bottom of the plant.
- This is referred to as 'bottom breaks.' These new shoots are important in compacting the plant and 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.