A citrus plant grows in a bucket in this country. But what kind of soil do we have to fill it with so that the plant stays healthy and beautiful all the time? Experts think it has to be a special mixture. Is that correct? And if so, does it have to be the expensive citrus soil from the garden center?

The perfect soil for citrus plants is a mix of garden soil, compost, clay and silica sand

When new soil is needed

Younger citrus plants need to be repotted about every two years. In older specimens, only the top layer is replaced with unused soil. Even if you want to propagate new citrus plants yourself, you will need citrus soil. Also make sure that newly purchased specimens are rooted in ideal soil. If necessary, they too must be given better soil in the near future.

These requirements must be met

For all types of citrus, high-quality soil is the all-important basis for healthy growth. In order for a soil mixture to be called suitable, it must fulfill the following functions:

  • ensure an even water supply
  • supply roots with oxygen
  • Provide nutrients and promote their absorption
  • have the optimal pH of 5.5 to 6.5
  • provide stable support

From this list it follows that citrus soil must be structurally stable and permeable, and must have the ability to store water.

Buy citrus soil in stores

The easiest way to get suitable soil is certainly to buy it from a specialist dealer. They offer special citrus soil that meets all requirements and is already enriched with the required combination of nutrients.

tips

If you're using store-bought soil for your citrus plants, you shouldn't fertilize them for about six weeks after repotting, until most of the nutrients in the new soil have been used up.

Ingredients for your own mix

The commercially available citrus soil is quite expensive compared to normal potting soil. Anyone who has to take care of many large citrus plants will lose a lot of money. So why not mix the soil for citrus plants yourself at home? The basic ingredients are cheaper to get individually, only a little work has to be invested. This belongs in a good citrus soil:

  • 1/3 garden soil
  • 1/3 compost
  • 1/6 loam or clay minerals
  • 1/6 quartz sand
  • some lime if necessary

You also need coarse material for the drainage layer, such as gravel, crushed stone or clay.

This is how you get good citrus soil

Mix garden soil with compost. Add sand and clay, although the amount may need to be fine-tuned. If the garden soil is loamy, more sand must be added. On the other hand, if it is sandy, reduce the amount of sand and increase the tonana part instead. If necessary, the pH value can be increased by adding lime.

tips

To get a loose, more permeable soil, you can add coconut fibers. They are a good natural substitute for the peat that was often used in the past, which is now considered ecologically questionable.

Category:

Vegetable garden