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Container Gardening

Right time to repot Meyer Lemon tree???

16 years ago

Hi everyone

Well I have had my tree for about a month now and I know it needs to be repotted because I can see some roots trying to come out of the drainage holes.

My tree has about 5 small lemons forming right now.

My question is can I repot while its in this active stage of growth?

I did this with my blueberries and they didnt like it.

Also is it too late to be repoting in my zone?

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Comments (10)

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
16 years ago
Both the blueberries & the lemon should be repotted before the spring growth push.

I find that most tropicals and subtropicals appreciate being repotted in the month before their most active growth, while most temperate plants usually appreciate repotting before the onset of the spring push.

Al
kev843
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanx for the reply Al

Do you have any suggestions or do I just leave it untill the Fall/Winter?
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Most likely you're overwatering. It's practically assured, infact. Watering should be thorough, wetting and flushing the entire soil-mass. Then, the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings. Use a wooden dowel or skewer stuck all the way into the container to measure the amount of moisture in the deeper layers (this is key). If the stick comes out clean and dry, water. If the stick comes out damp or dark, don't water. re-test every 2 days until the soil is dry enough to water again. A wick (synthetic fiber/string) can also be stuffed into a drainage hole and allowed to dangle below the container to reduce excess moisture in the bottom of the pot. These tricks will help you limp your plant through the winter, but they won't take the place of a properly made mix and a full re-potting next Spring/Summer. Josh
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Laura, any success thus far and down the line is mostly a result of everything I've learned from first, the people on the Container forum (Al and others), who taught me how to make my own mix, and from you and others--John, Mike, Vlad, and more--here on the Citrus forum, who inspired me to take another chance on a Meyer and have given me the knowledge I need to care for it. I've wanted a Meyer, and roses, for so many years, but felt it was impossible here; my first Meyer, some 4 years ago, was miserable almost from the start and died--I didn't know what to do for it and was terrified to re-pot it. I would never have had the nerve before to mix my own planting mix, or to bare-root a tree when re-potting, for example, and I've done it now with all my formerly sad potted roses and my two new citrus, thus far with great results! I've read both forums for days (mostly nights) at a time! and admired your beautiful healthy citrus trees--yours are gorgeous!--and learned so much from your experience. I hadn't gardened in years, and I have a very small very challenging spot, but these forums (also Antique Rose forum, where I'm spending a lot of time now) are the reason I am gardening now. My dreary little space is already transformed, since April, with herbs, strawberries, blooming and budding roses, flowering/scented perennials, and my citrus trees, and already I find many bees and butterflies visiting. It's incredibly rewarding and a great little retreat for me. THANK YOU ALL for your inspiration and help! Sheba
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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
16 years ago
Sorry, Kev - maybe I should back up a little. I draw a differentiation between 'repotting' & 'potting up', and I forget that others often don't make that distinction. To me, a repot includes root pruning and removal of all or a substantial portion of the soil, while potting up is simply putting the whole plant, roots, soil, and everything but the pot, in a larger container & filling in around the root mass with some fresh soil. You can do the latter (pot up) at any time, though spring is still best for the two plants you mentioned. The more extensive 'repot' should only be undertaken in the spring, except in emergency situations.

Al
kev843
Original Author
16 years ago
GREAT,
Thanx once agin and sorry I didnt clarify.

When I Potted up my blueberries I disturbed the roots too much I think,thats why it didnt turn out so well.
Just got back from the store and got some natures helper soil conditioner,but it doesnt seem to just be made of pine bark like I wanted :-(
I guess the search continues LOL
weirdtrev
16 years ago
I repotted mine a week ago and it is doing great.
kev843
Original Author
16 years ago
Looks like my Meyer will get a new home tomorrow if I can find the right soil conditioner(100% pine bark) ;-)
lucyb00ts
15 years ago
A little more information needed about the best time to repot/pot up. I just want to make sure I'm doing the best thing for my situation. My ML is 3 yrs old and about 3 ft tall. It has only produced about 6 mediocre fruit. I potted up when I first bought it with regular garden center potting soil. I've fed with miracle grow during the growing season. I have problems with yellowed leaves but all the new growth looks good. Last fall I pruned all the suckers. Now there is no loose soil left in the pot and there are those very tiny roots visible at the top of the plan. It is filled with blooms but most are not open yet. What do I do now? repot, pot up again, prune,change fertilizer, etc. Thanks all.
tobybul2 - Zone 6 SW MI
10 years ago
I realize this is an old thread.... but I also just got a ML. Its in a one gal pot and is about 2 ft tall, looks very healthy. It has flowers and some fruits starting. it appears to be a bit root bound. I've had it inside the house for 2 weeks now and doing well. I've been wanting to repot but not sure what it will do to the plant. It is the middle of winter and been careful about watering too frequently. The plant is situated in south-facing windows so it gets a lot of light. I also have a Calamondine plant that I got at the same time.
Patricia Divincenti
8 years ago
Is it O.K. to re-pot a 5 yr.old Meyer's Lemon Tree in Fall, then put in greenhouse for winter?
tobybul2 - Zone 6 SW MI
8 years ago
I actually reportted my ML in the middle of winter. just do it carefully and it will be fine.. it's been over a year now and it's doing well. this year it's been more productive .

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