10yrs in the same planter repot and what a 1:1 ratio looks like.
SUBSTRATES USED: Chunky perlite, coarse vermiculite, sand (heavy so not much), reg perlite (big box store), large bark chips, chunky coco husk chips, LECA/Hydroton (leftovers), compost, worm castings, organic fertilizer with microbes for bio stimulant, and peat moss.
My +12yr old tree had been in a planter (front right) for what looks like 10yrs as that was when I built it for the tree. I have not repotted since then and have only amended the top layer with compost, worm castings, kelp meal, and slow-release fertilizer every spring. Figures it could use an amendment to the media that it's in and was pleased that the roots are filled out, but not rootbound at the bottom. Instead of planting it back in the wooden planter again, I want something with a wider top so the feeder roots could spread out more.
I'm in the PNW and it rains a lot here so I use a 1:1 ratio with more of the chunky inorganic and organic substrates will not become overly saturated during the rainy season. I do have to water more often in the summer and that’s where the mulch at the top prevents rapid evaporation. As you can see, it is very free draining yet plenty of moisture holding but not wet. I removed as much old media as possible without disturbing the root ball as they're not root bound so no reason to root prune. I plan to keep the tree about the same canopy size so there's no reason for the roots to grow that much bigger. Roots seeks food and moisture so if you're keeping your plants moist and well fed at all times, there's no reason for it to expand beyond the canopy. Ideally, you'd want to let soil grown tree roots seek deeper, but not so much for potted plants.
The tree bark I used barely changed and was able to reuse the old media mixed in with the rest. Hard to tell but the center where the trunk is tapered down to the edge(lower) to prevent the media from covering up the root flare. I mulch with the coco husk, keeping the root flare clear and will probably fill up those feeder roots once the media settles a bit. Only thing left now is to give it a drink of kelp with fulvic acid to reduce stress and promotes growths and some synthetic fertilizer. Spring is finally here (hopefully?)! Hope this clears up some concerns regarding what media citrus likes. Hope the planter doesn't break down in 10yrs. Ugh...now to repeat the same thing for my other 3 citrus trees that's in their 10yr planter also. Happy Growing!
