Orange Trees & Chemistry

 Orange trees must be the chemists of the plant kingdom.

I know, I know, I live in a temperate coniferous biome, Orange trees don't grow here.  However, after visiting Red Butte Gardens Orangerie room, I decided I would try to over-winter an orange tree. I purchased a Washington Navel Orange from Home Depot.  Almost immediately, the tree began to drop its leaves. I transferred it to a new pot and the leaves stopped dropping, but it also stopped new growth.

Winter came, so I moved the large pot indoors, kept up with correct watering and put a lamp on it for warmth and direct light. It started losing its leaves again. I didn't do anything until February.

I read that orange/citrus trees are "heavy eaters", that they need very rich soil.  Apparently, potting soil is not nutrient rich enough them.  I realized that if I did nothing, the tree would perish so as a last ditch effort, I went to the garage, pulled out some lawn fertilizer, dissolved it in a disposable cup.  Then I got out a bath bomb (magnesium salt) and dissolved it in a disposable cup.  I then dumped these two concoctions on my tree, with its next gallon of water.

TWO WEEKS LATER:

There is new growth!

IT WORKED!

Now I dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of miracle grow into a gallon of water every other week. I also dig around the root crown and spring in 1/4 teaspoon of miracle grow.

Orange trees are NITROGEN sensors - go Chemistry!