Effects of mix composition, fertilization, and pH on citrus grown in U.C.-Type potting
      mixtures under greenhouse conditions

Nauer, E; Roistacher, C; Labanauskas, C

Effects of mix composition, fertilization, and pH on citrus grown in U.C.-Type potting mixtures under greenhouse conditions

Authors

E. M. Nauer
C. N. Roistacher
C. K. Labanauskas

Authors Affiliations

E. M. Nauer was Associate Specialist in the Horticultural Science Department in the University of California Citrus Research Center and Agricultural Experiment Station, Riverside; C. N. Roistacher was Laboratory Technician IV, Plant Pathology, in the University of California Citrus Research Center and Agricultural Experiment Station, Riverside; C. K. Labanauskas was Lecturer and Associate Horticulturist in the University of California Citrus Research Center and Agricultural Experiment Station, Riverside.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 38(15):557-567. DOI:10.3733/hilg.v38n15p557. November 1967.

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Abstract

Effects of mix composition, fertilization, and pH on citrus seedlings grown in several U.C.-type potting mixtures in containers were studied over a 5-year period. The mixtures, consisting of fine sand, sphagnum peat moss, and redwood shavings consistently produced greater growth than did a mix containing clay loam, fine sand, and peat moss. Copper deficiency, often encountered in plants grown in soils and soil mixtures containing peat, could be prevented by the addition of CuSO₄ to the mixtures. Availability of other micronutrients to the plants appeared to be influenced primarily by soil pH which could be changed by varying materials used in the added fertilizer solution. When the soilleachate pH was higher than approximately 7.0, plants exhibited more micronutrient deficiency leaf patterns and made less growth.

The system which evolved as a result of these experiments has been tried with marked success in one large-scale greenhouse operation which previously had experienced difficulty in producing vigorous citrus seedlings free of nutrient-deficiency symptoms.

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Also in this issue:

Initial soil-mix and postplanting liquid fertilization effects on nutrient concentrations in Valencia orange seedling leaves