Citrus Seedlings

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If the potassium is low, you need a fertilizer with a high third # rather than middle.
N (nitrogen) - P (phosphorus) - K (potassium)
ok, I think the they need all nutrients right now since they prob got flushed out by my constant watering. They were happy to start out in the miracle grow cactus mix which is 6-2-4 so I figured that 3-3-3 would get them back to a better place. We'll see how well they do over the next few days.

I'll post updates on them in 7 days
 

Chuck

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I believe I watered until it was saturated. soil moisture meter is reading 30%-40%
The pots have drainage holes on the bottom which the roots start to poke out from here and there.
Saturated means water is standing on top of the soil. I still see dry soil. If you see roots coming out of the holes you need to repot before you do anything. Go to 16 oz cups. You said you tested after watering? What is the Ph of the water without fertilizer? What is the Ph of the water with fertilizer What is the Ph of the soil before and after watering?
 
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Saturated means water is standing on top of the soil. I still see dry soil. If you see roots coming out of the holes you need to repot before you do anything. Go to 16 oz cups. You said you tested after watering? What is the Ph of the water without fertilizer? What is the Ph of the water with fertilizer What is the Ph of the soil before and after watering?
ok, so should I switch to a different fertilizer for the next round? would you be able to please point me in a direction of what a good starter tester is for these different levels. My soil tester can only test the ph level in the soil and I'm unsure how accurate it is
Another point to make is that this soil mix drains very well. So no matter how much water I pour over it, the water will drain through to the bottom of the pot and not pool on the top. I see the colored fertilizer water on the bottom of the pot trays.
 
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actually, after thoroughly soaking them right now the digital tester is showing 5.9 PH so thats not so bad
 

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Chuck

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I used these test strips for the water and soil
Looks like the PH is between 5-6 after fertilizing, so unsure how accurate that digital tester is
What you have is good. Citrus likes it acidic and 6.0 is about perfect. So, the water Ph is OK. The soil Ph is good. Your plant food is good. The only thing left is your watering, watering times and watering technique.

Too much water will NOT hurt a plant if it can drain. Water doesn't damage a plant, the lack of oxygen does and too much water for too long of a time, forces out the oxygen that goes to the roots. But root damage doesn't happen over night. It takes time for root rot and other diseases to grow so this is why adequate drainage is so important. Knowing how and when to water a plant is very important. Watering a little but often is not good. You should water a plant until ALL of the soil is wet. When watering seedlings pick up the container before watering and feel how heavy it is. Then water until ALL of the soil is wet. You should see standing water in the container. Then pick it up again and feel how heavy it is. When it feels light it is time to water again. The watering technique for seedlings is also important. Watering should be done from the bottom up EXCEPT when applying fertilizer. I use a plastic dish drain pan to water with. Fill it about half full and place your plants in it. When the top of the soil is wet remove them. Only when applying fertilizer do you water from the top.
 
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What you have is good. Citrus likes it acidic and 6.0 is about perfect. So, the water Ph is OK. The soil Ph is good. Your plant food is good. The only thing left is your watering, watering times and watering technique.

Too much water will NOT hurt a plant if it can drain. Water doesn't damage a plant, the lack of oxygen does and too much water for too long of a time, forces out the oxygen that goes to the roots. But root damage doesn't happen over night. It takes time for root rot and other diseases to grow so this is why adequate drainage is so important. Knowing how and when to water a plant is very important. Watering a little but often is not good. You should water a plant until ALL of the soil is wet. When watering seedlings pick up the container before watering and feel how heavy it is. Then water until ALL of the soil is wet. You should see standing water in the container. Then pick it up again and feel how heavy it is. When it feels light it is time to water again. The watering technique for seedlings is also important. Watering should be done from the bottom up EXCEPT when applying fertilizer. I use a plastic dish drain pan to water with. Fill it about half full and place your plants in it. When the top of the soil is wet remove them. Only when applying fertilizer do you water from the top.
Thanks, I appreciate your help!
 

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is it ok if my moisture meter is still reading 50% moisture today from yesterdays watering/fertilizer? is 50% optimal?
Optimal moisture is 50% but I personally have never seen an accurate moisture meter and I have seen and tried to use many. IMO if you rely on a meter you are asking for trouble. One's eyes and fingers are the best moisture meters, you just have to learn how to use them.
 

oneeye

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Friend I love your determination and persistence. I agree that those probe meters are inaccurate and will give false readings. If you want to get a pH meter for liquids you can test the discharge with accuracy.

I use a triple beam scale to weigh my small cups to know exactly when to water. I weigh the cup dry and write the weight on top of the cup. When the weight gets to 20 gram to the dry weight I water again. Its very tricky and easy to over or under water when trying to water by eye.
 

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