Hi Andrew...

As soon as I get your e-mail I will help//:-)

mikerno_1@yahoo.com

Growing citrus isn't much different than growing anything else in a container. Probably the most important part will be your soil, feeding and light. Humidity will be a factor in the winter as well. Getting in more detail, root pruning and foliage pruning will be important factors in keeping them as well. My best advice would be to read Al's post on water retention, keeping trees in containers and root pruning. I like to think of my trees as big bonsai trees.

Badmerf,
I have several container citrus. I just wanted to ask Mike what he thought about diffrent varieties. Thanks for your input but I have been pretty succesfull.
Andrew

Ahh, I see. Mike would be my first guy to ask as well. Seems like he has tried to grow just about everything!

Andrew,

Badsmerf is being to kind..I don't deserve it..
Too be quite honest, I think many here have done a GREAT job doing likewise..In fact, I heave learned a few things with badsmerf, and rhizzo, and many others that have brought me to where I am today..Putting all these ideas together,along with everyones kind help,has helped succeed....I will only share with you what I have learned from them..Took alot of reading, research, trila and error..

Badsmerf, your advice was dead on..

Andrew, I will e-mail you 2nite..We will chat!

Mike..:-)

This is based on what you posted at the linked thread below..:-)

Hi Andrew, No worries..We here will do our best to help!
There are a few here who are very successful with "lemon meyers", in fact that is why I am now..They have helped me. I always give credit to my teachers here..

I will do my best for what I have elarned to help. Others can be of a great help too..

As for the humidity issue, many here including me have some growing without humidity, and with some..Mine do great with or without..They thing you need to know is, is that the cooler you keep your home temps at,the less drier the air will be..Most citrus DO NOT like indoor very warm conditions, unless you are providing LOTS of extra sunlight and humidity together..Therefore, I keep all mine in a cool room all winter, dependent just on sunlight and no humidifyer..They thrive in these conditions..I WILL TAKE SOME PICTURES OF MINE THIS WEEKEND, AND POST THEM TOMORROW..ok.
You are also asking for a whole host of pest problems, especially mites, if kept warm and moist or dry..

As for fish emulsion and ST..I think it is all in the eye of the beholder..Foe some these work beautifully and swear by them, and for others they see no difference..Try them, and see if they work for you..:-)

Epsom salts...Beware not to over due it..If you are not providing enough Ca to work in harmony with the MG provided by the salts, you ask for a antogonistic response from your plants...You need vitamin D to absorb vitamin C in our bodies..Too much of another will work against the body obsorbing one in a balanced manner.

Fertilizing IS NEEDED , contrary to might you might think, to keeo them healthy at all times, and resistant to pest infection and growth deficiencies..

Vinager is the key, gold to success for many, especially many citrus growers...I have been able to green up many plants with the magical stuff! I use it faithfully, and regularly..

I wish you success on your new baby..I bet you are excited to get it..Coming here and learning will make it worth your while..I can tell you that if it were not for the HIGHLY experienced growers here for container culture, some in which have extensive educational backround, I would of been of no help..Thank you to all that have been there for me! You know who you are..:-)

This is to get you started...

Mike..:-)

Here is a link that might be useful: regarding the post you posted..:-)

Hello Mike,
Thanks for the help but I still have not got an answer from you about the vinegar. If I water with a gallon pitcher would I use 1 teaspoon of vinegar or more? What kind of vinegar white, cider? Now I was thinking about using a MG acid for now but WHERE CAN I GET THAT FOLIAGE PRO? Do they have a website? I am going to list this question can you try to help me with it?
1. Will the heat source being so close KILL the tree? I was going to put it about 7-8 inches away. I know this sounds like a bad idea but, I was thinking of using a cardboard box over the base board next to the lemon to diffuse the heat so it wont directly hit the tree. Please give me your best answers. I know when I get it I will have more. Thanks Mike!
Andrew

Oops..lol

I use 1 capful of vinegar in each gallon..

The FP you can purchase online if you google it..It is made by Dyna Gro...I use to get it in the mail, until I found out my local nursery supply store sells it..:-)

The tree near the heater, it won't kill it, so don't be decieved if it acts up and blame that, but it can dry out your blooms a bit and curl up the leaves a bit too..I would definately use the humifier if I see this happen...
I have never had a problem with any of mine next to heat grates, although I keep my room temps very cool..:-)

Keep them coming Andrew..;-)

Andrew, Mike has given a lot of good advice over the years and I, for one, have benefitted from it. I am now using Foliage Pro and vinegar on my calamondin every time I water with good results. Also, Mike gave very some very good advice on not letting citrus dry out completely between waterings. In the past, I was so afraid of overwatering, that I underwatered and lost citrus as a result. I have watered more frequently this past winter and have not experience leaf droppage as in the past. Also I mist my calamondin a couple of times a day with distilled water. This has really helped too.

All in all with Mike's advice, I think I am ready to try another Meyer Lemon... and hopefully with better results than in the past.

Jerry

Thank you for the kind words Jerry..

I am so glad you have been happy with your trees..I think you are ready for another "meyer lemon" now..:-)

Goodluck

Post a pic when you get it..

Mike..:-)

Jerry,
I couldn't agree with you more! That is why I have been pestering him for about a week now. I also agree with not allowing your trees to dry out. I never do this either. When you think about Florida summers are very wet and the trees don't die from root rot. What kind of vinegar do you use? White or cider? I am going to order the foliage pro on Monday. First I am going to check to see if these nurseries carry it locally.
Mike,
Sorry for pestering you. I am making a list of things that I need now to keep my tree healthy.
1. A soil thermometer
2. Foliage Pro
3. A spray bottle
4. Vinegar (but white or cider?)
Okay I have figured that my living room is about 60 degrees. With about 6 hours of good light. 3 in the morning and three in the afternoon. At 60 degrees do you think that the lighting will be sufficient? If not I can supplement it with a shop light. Meyerlemontree.com says a 40watt shop light should be good. Does this sound okay? I really am hoping to stay away from the shop light. How often do you rotate your trees. I know you have to do that to provide even amounts of light to the tree.
Should I hold off on the fertilizer for now? I normally give my newly purchased trees around 2-3weeks to acclimate first. I am not going to monkey around with the soil for now but come spring I would like to mix up some of Al's gritty mix for all my citrus trees. Are the ingriedents hard to find? I remember someone saying something about having a hard time with finding the turface. Well that should be it for now.
Andrew

Andrew, never think you are pestering..It is nice to help you..:-)

White vinegar is what I use...It sure is cheap enough to buy, and boy, one of the best investments you could make..

If your soil temps are kept on average 55 or lower, then you need not give more than 8 hours of sunlight..
Above that, you need to provide at least 8-14 or more.

You say light. Are you talking direct sun, or just light?
Will these plants be in south facing windows?
If you are just providing room temps at what you are suggesting, just placing them in front of sunny windows will be just fine. No need for shop lamps or anything. In, fact, it could be detremental...

I will be back to answer rest..Got to head home..;-)

Yeah, I think I am going to try it without one but i will have it on stanby. I am determined to be succesfull. I talked to my parents today and they are in Palm Beach. They are going to gring me back citrus fertilizer. I am going to try and alternate fertilizers. I did this with my citrus last year and had good results. Well I guess tomorrow is the day. I just hope no one got there hands on MY Improved meyer lemon!!
Andrew

Hello everyone,
Just wanted to update everyone. I bought the meyer lemon tree! It is beutifull, 6ft tall and at least 3ft(if not more!)wide. I could not take it home today because there were all ready 2 people in the car. I will go back in the next couple days and pick it up. BTW the trunk circumfrence is over 8 inches! Full of buds ready to bloom and 2 fruit! I will post a pic ASAP!
Andrew