Hi, Thanks for your reply! To clarify, the "tree" (better described as a stick with a couple of leaves and a few marble sized fruits) is still in the pot outside. It is uncovered because we are currently having night-time temperatures in the low 40's. I have lived here for about 4 seasons and it hasn't been the same two years in a row. In general it is WET and dark during the winter and dry during the summer though of course the northwest is known for it's wet climate. So far it has snowed just once each winter (3 out of 4) and there can be about a week's worth of mid 20's weather though I would say in general there is usually a couple of months hovering in the mid 30's. Did I mention it's wet? I mean the soil eventually becomes super-saturated. So right now the little "tree" is in it's own micro-bog though I imagine it's dormant. The little fruits are turning yellow (in a bad way). One thing I could do is transplant it into a smaller pot with some commercial potting soil (somewhere I saw it suggested to use maybe 30% cedar bark also?) and bring it inside (or at least put it as out of the rain as possible). Might well be a huge shock though and maybe I'd be better off waiting 'till spring. Anyhow it sounds like bringing it inside each year would be the better plan as far as having a relatively steady supply of lemons. Is that what you do? thanks bob

I am not sure how well they adapt to a real test of heat and humidity like you get down south. They are native to the mediterranean climate portion of the Western Cape in South Africa, so do not typically get your high humidity in combination with high heat. They will certainly handle the high heat with dry air, but will always look better in a well watered garden with some dappled shade or morning sun. I would guess your best bet will be to give them your coolest bright shade/morning sun only spot, and to keep them as cool as possible in summer. They may in fact do better in winter for you than summer. In habitat they would go rather dry in summer, but they handle summer irrigation here in California without problem. Torrential rains with humidity might mean they are better in pots sheltered from unending wetness in summer; they might be susceptible to rotting out or fungal diseases.

Thanks, Barrie. I'm going to enjoy the seed pods for another week or so, and have at it with the loppers. There are fewer new shoots than I thought, but I think I'll still go ahead. By the way, we were able to over-winter castor bean plants this year, after cutting them back in late January. They're so full and bush right now, they're starting to scare me!

I did a search on Melianthus major and found this info: "...Plant this 4-6" deeper than normal to increase chances of survival for those in zonal denial or containerize and bring in for the winter. Most cut back hard in late winter to keep in vegetative mode to focus plant energy on the root." Also, see link, below. Mentions Melianthus as a pot plant. Scroll down to 'others'. Doesn't mention pot size. -Sprout Here is a link that might be useful: Container plants