Key lime tree is starting to take to DWC
5mon 7d ago by lemmy.world/u/cybervseas in hydroponics@slrpnk.net
Using lechuza citrus pon as a substrate as I've heard that citrus doesn't take to LECA well. Wicking up nutrient solution from the reservoir which is being kept fresh by an air stone.
I moved it to this setup from soil because I'm bad about checking for soil moistness, and it lost most of its leaves. But I can refresh the water every week or two in a reservoir no problem.
This picture is a week old and since then there's been even more new leaf growth.
here's mine!
(never you mind how much better the lemon tree is looking. the lime just had its leaves shed after a cold injury when the temperature dropped far faster than we expected. she mad a bunch of limes to continue her genetic line, but she's doing a lot of new growth right now)
I'm such a citrus newbie. Are you going to trim the branches back a bit to help encourage more focused growth?
my partner and i just talked about this based on your comment. we're going to do some reading and consider it!
If you ever switch back, a cloth pot on a self-watering base is a good way to keep soil from drying out too much.
Any particular cloth pots you have in mind? I'm curious!
Depends on the size of the tree but at least 5 gallons. I use AC Infinity because the quality is good but there's lots of brands out there that are decent and probably cheaper. Another thing that can potentially help is mixing some calcined clay into the soil. It helps regulate moisture so there's a bit more buffer if you miss watering when you should.
Would that container size not be a bit big for a small plant like in the photo? I was under the impression that they like their roots to be on the snug side.
That's awesome, thanks for sharing!
Coincidentally I've been thinking about keeping a hydro lemon tree and this post is just the motivation I needed to get serious about it. Thanks!
This is so cool! I wish there were more people here sharing this sort of content. It's the only thing I really miss about reddit. You should keep us updated.
I grow plants outdoors and indoors hydroponically and I have a few small citrus shrubs/trees (they're technically shrubs, I think, even though no one calls them that), but it had never even occurred to me to try growing citrus hydroponically. I also struggle to keep on top of checking moisture levels, but I tend towards over-watering if I'm not careful. Then under-watering.... I've been starting to use wicks to help me keep moisture more consistent.
I also didn't know that about the clay pebbles. Are there other common plants you know of which just struggle with those?
What are you doing for nutrients?
I think my dwc cordyline is doing better than the cordylines that are semihydro.
Alocasias are loving leca for me.
I'm nervous about transitioning my special dieffenbachia from soil to semihydro.
For nutrients I'm using the master blend recipe and technique I posted a while back. My own version of what @Guenther_Amanita@slrpnk.net posted.