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Mailbag: Leaky mimosa trees, irrigating citrus

Weather-related issues

Sacramento Digs Gardening
BY Debbie Arrington PUBLISHED JUL 27, 2021

Orange trees in summer appreciate deep watering,

every 10 to 14 days. (Photo: Kathy Morrison)

and Kathy Morrison

Send us your questions! This new Q&A will be a regular feature on Sacramento Digs Gardening.

Q: I have a beautiful mimosa tree that is leaking sap in the trunk and now it’s spreading to the large branches of the tree. Green Acres wasn't able to help me. I know this is a gardening website but I thought I would ask if you have seen this or know of a professional arborist.

-- Pamela

A: It could be normal or it could be the sign of something bad. Some trees (including mimosa trees) leak sap as a way to relieve pressure inside the tree's vascular system, especially during extremely hot weather (which we've had).

Are the tree's leaves still green? If so, then the tree is probably fine. But if the tree's leaves are also turning yellow and dropping, then the leaky branches may be a sign of fusarium wilt, the same fungal disease that kills heirloom tomatoes and lurks in soil all over Sacramento.

Is it clear, sticky, normal sap or is it frothy or smells fermented? Normal sap is OK; frothy or alcoholic-smelling sap is not.

The UC Davis Arboretum has mimosa trees (also called silk trees) and may have an expert who can answer your questions. Also, Sacramento Tree Foundation experts can be very helpful. They also have a list of certified arborists they can provide, at www.sactree.com

Q: Do you know if there’s a way to deep water 2 trees at the same time? I have a lemon tree and an orange tree very close together and wondering if I can buy something to water them at the same time. I thought I saw a “Y” shaped hose for gardening, but all I can find online are hoses for washers.

Thank you!

-- Maria P.

A. For watering your citrus trees, I’d suggest this: Attach a y-shaped shutoff valve (available at big box stores, hardware stores and nurseries) to the end of your main garden hose. Then attach soaker hoses (or whatever you prefer to use) from each side of the Y and run them to your trees.

Remember that the roots of citrus trees run out past the drip line (farthest edge of the leaves) so loop the soaker hose out there, not right next to the trunk.

Hope that helps. Happy gardening!

-- Kathy Morrison

Send your gardening questions to sacdigsgardening@gmail.com .

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citrus gardening Sacramento drip watering hot weather sap mimosa trees

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Garden Checklist for week of April 21

This week there’s plenty to keep gardeners busy. With no rain in the immediate forecast, remember to irrigate any new transplants.

* Weed, weed, weed! Get them before they flower and go to seed.

* April is the last chance to plant citrus trees such as dwarf orange, lemon and kumquat. These trees also look good in landscaping and provide fresh fruit in winter.

* Smell orange blossoms? Feed citrus trees with a low dose of balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) during bloom to help set fruit. Keep an eye out for ants.

* Apply slow-release fertilizer to the lawn.

* Thoroughly clean debris from the bottom of outdoor ponds or fountains.

* Spring brings a flush of rapid growth, and that means your garden is really hungry. Feed shrubs and trees with a slow-release fertilizer. Or mulch with a 1-inch layer of compost.

* Azaleas and camellias looking a little yellow? If leaves are turning yellow between the veins, give them a boost with chelated iron.

* Trim dead flowers but not leaves from spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and tulips. Those leaves gather energy to create next year's flowers. Also, give the bulbs a fertilizer boost after bloom.

* Pinch chrysanthemums back to 12 inches for fall flowers. Cut old stems to the ground.

* Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and control weeds.

* From seed, plant beans, beets, cantaloupes, carrots, corn, cucumbers, melons, radishes and squash.

* Plant onion sets.

* In the flower garden, plant seeds for asters, cosmos, celosia, marigolds, salvia, sunflowers and zinnias.

* Transplant petunias, zinnias, geraniums and other summer bloomers.

* Plant perennials and dahlia tubers for summer bloom.

* Mid to late April is about the last chance to plant summer bulbs, such as gladiolus and tuberous begonias.

* Transplant lettuce seedlings. Choose varieties that mature quickly such as loose leaf.

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