Question:
I have an old Lemon planted in a container that constantly has lemons on it, but the leaves are yellow. Is it okay to feed it while it has fruit on it? In addition, when is the best time to repot it since it's been in the same pot for eight years, and I don't want to shock it?Answer:
- The yellow leaves indicate your plant is very hungry.
- Feeding citrus while it has fruit maturing on the plant is never a problem. Citrus Food is the most popular choice, and it's applied monthly from March through October. Also, after the rainy season concludes, be sure to water it the day before and immediately after applying any fertilizer.
- Personally, I prefer to feed with Osmocote. It's a time-release fertilizer that releases a little bit of nutrients every time you water, and you only need to reapply it every four months. Eight years is a long time to be in the same container. There is probably very little soil left, so you're left with a mass of roots that is slowly strangling itself.
- Citrus and many other plants in containers should be repotted every thirty-six months. It's usually done between mid-February through April. You could move it to a larger pot or keep it in the same size pot indefinitely by root pruning it.
- To root prune, you'll need to physically pull the plant out of the existing container.
- With a serrated knife or pruning saw, trim off two to three inches off the sides of the root ball and three to six inches off the bottom. I know this sounds harsh, but it will not damage the plant(s).
- Next, add fresh soil to the container and replant it. When transplanting planting to another pot, you again use a serrated knife and slice the root ball, separating some of the roots.
- You must disrupt the circular pattern and allow the roots to spread into the new soil. This would be an ideal time to add Soil Moist crystals to new soil.
- Soil Moist is a polymer for plants that hydrate with water. The plant root attaches to them and uses them as a backup reservoir. This helps in extending the days between watering.
Question:
My backyard is exceptionally soft with the winter rains. I have a 65 lbs dog that runs all around, tamping down the grass and creating paths. I'm okay with it in some areas but not all over. Is there mulch, sand, or something to put on the grass until the rain stops to keep it from dying?Answer:
- Unfortunately, the only answer to this situation is to keep the dog off the area.
- Covering the grass with any material for an extended period will kill it.
- I'm unaware of anything that will aid the grass other than limiting this constant pounding. You might try putting up a barrier that would divert or change the dog's path. But, I know it's easier said than done.