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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
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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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"Oh and one more thing!! Did you make sure you filled in the soil around ALL the roots? I usually use a small stick or pencil, and wiggle it between the roots as I watch the soil fall even deeper into the pot. Then I pressure water into the pot into the roots as even more of this loose, bigger particle mix fills in the spaces between the roots..Make sure, ok..You do not want some roots dying of thirst while others are watered.." The above is Meyermikes recent advice to me about transplanting my new meyer lemon. I also know from reading through other threads that it is also very important to remove all the old potting mix from the roots. I removed what I could with my hands and then sprayed off the rest in my kitchen sink. Regarding cutting the roots, I didn't do it and my plant is perfectly happy in its new home. Someone else would have to advise you about that. Good luck with your new plant.
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Follow-up, 13 days after re-pot. Unfortunately my tree is in trouble again! Less than a week after repotting, the veins of many of the leaves started to turn yellow. The yellow then spreads outwards, and the leaf drops off (see photos in the link below). It looks like the little tree will lose most of its leaves :-( Searching through the forum, I found a thread from a year ago where Mike had a tree with exactly the same symptoms - did you ever find out what was wrong? I hope your tree survived! Do you think it is just a stress response (I pruned some of the roots when I repotted)? It also developed flower buds, which I know can be a sign of stress (I removed most of these to help the plant concentrate strength). I have had it in the shade since the repot and it has only been watered on the day of the repot and once since. I haven't checked the pH of the new soil, but I made it as per instructions (including lime, although perhaps I didn't include enough?). Would it be worth checking the pH? On the positive side, I have noticed a few tiny new leaves forming at the end of a couple of the branches (but not lower down on the branches). Do you think the tree will drop all it's leaves and then recover? Or is it a goner? Yours hopefully, Lindsay PS I have some Foliage Pro due to be delivered next week that I planned to start using, if the tree is still alive... Here is a link that might be useful: New problems with lemon tree
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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
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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
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weirdtrev
16 years ago
I repotted mine a week ago and it is doing great.
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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) ;-)
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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.
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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.
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Patricia Divincenti
9 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?
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tobybul2 - Zone 6 SW MI
9 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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