:mad: I planted a number of different citrus in the ground this spring. They basically put on no growth until this fall. And that growth was attacked by leaf minors and burnt by frost. I mulch with wood chips, and watered once a month deeply with micro sprayers. I flood watered with a hose once or twice inbetween sprinkler irrigations. I fertilized with blood meal once or twice in summer. I have sandy soil. A new loquat had poor growth as well. And apples in the same area dont grow. My trees from last year grew well.

I have posted at other forums about this. I believe it may be the Southern California Black Walnut stand right next to the trees. They are known to be toxic to other plants. Or maybe I didnt water enough. I always had some moisture in the soil... Anyone else have similar experience?

you aren't suposed to mulch around citrus trees. I'd clear that away right away. I'd also start fertilizing with a proper citrus fert. 5-1-3 ratio of npk. or as close to it. 30-6-18 or something close. what are the color of the leaves?

I do clear away mulch for winter, for frost protection and to lesson the cold wet soil. I finally decided to clear my mulch from a foot or so from the trunk on all my trees. Why not mulch citrus? I have heard this before. The leaves are good and green mostly. I had some micronutrient deficiency this summer. I think it was Mg. I sprayed with a foliar solution. My soil PH is about 6.5. I plant on a mound.

Couple of thoughts: I have walnuts, and sandy soil here in Texas too. The walnuts, hickories, or pecans can cause some problems with the amount of tannic acid they can leach into the surrounding ground both from leaf detritus, and "weeping". I'm more inclined to think perhaps you have watered too much. Citrus is super sensitive to over watering. They don't like wet feet. It's much better to let them dry almost out between watering. You'll see a slight curling in the leaves when they are left too long. Regarding freezing burn, citrus don't like that at all. Some of the satsuma's can deal with pretty cold temps for a short time, but will probably drop it's fruit. Limes will be inclined to croak. Anything below the low forties will have serious effects upon it. Good luck!!! Dan...

Walnuts are well know for their ability to produce allelopathic compounds (compounds that suppress growth of other plants). I would suggest moving your tree if possible. I also agree that the mulch is not a good idea---it promotes root rot. If you insist on using it --keep it at least 1 ft from the trunk.

Also, citrus trees use fertilizer in the ratio of 5-1-3. Bone meal does not supply much N which the trees need most of. Organic matter does supply N after it breaks down but can take it up initially.

Here is a website on walnut allelopathy.
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/nursery/430-021/430-021.html

Cdoc