Oh, someone save my Meyer Lemon!

18 years ago

I hope I'm not being repititive - I'm new to this forum, and while I did a search and found there are a bunch of Meyer Lemon tree problems out there, I can't find exactly the answer I need.

I bought my young tree about a month ago and planted into a large container with good drainage holes in a position that catches the afternoon sun. I used regular potting mix (which I gather from reading other posts is not good). It immediately ceased thriving. The leaves have gone yellow from the veins outwards, and are falling at an alarming rate. The leaves at the top of the tree are healthier than those lower down.

I watered it according to the instructions - for the first two days after repotting, then twice weekly in the first week, then once a week thereafter. (I wait for the first couple of inches to dry out before I water again.)

I used a complete plant-food style fertiliser when i planted it, and again a week or two later. I gather also that I should regret this.

It is autumn, or fall, here in Melbourne, though it is unseasonably warm at the moment. We expect coldish winters here, although it doesn't snow or even frost very much.

Someone told me that you should urinate on it (to increase the nitrogen), so my obliging husband gives it the odd sprinkle!

If I do need to repot it, should I do it now, or wait till spring?

Many thanks for any advice - I am a novice but keen gardener and want to save my lovely tree.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

birdsnblooms
18 years ago
Freckle, for one, STOP your husband from urinating in your plant soil..I'd die too if someone was sprinkling me w/PEE. LOL.

If you used regular soil it may be too heavy..You needed to add peat, Sand, and Perlite..too heavy a soil will kill it.

Another thing..there is no need to feed after you repot. I think you overdid it with the fertilizer. After repotting, the soil usually has enough nutrients to take care of the plant. What type of fertilizer did you use..I hope it's not what I'm thinking..LOL..

What size was the pot it came in and what size is the new pot? You do not want too large a pot plus heavy soil. If this is the case, this is the reason it's losing leaves..

If the pot is too large, I'd go back and place in its original pot or one size up.

In any case, I'd leech the soil. The urine was not a good idea at all. Allow water to run though the soil..I'd do this a few times..Stop feeding your plant now that winter's coming..or decrease at least by 1/2.

So, either repot to a smaller size, leech soil, stop feeding, Mist leaves or use a humidifer if you turn heat on in winter, change soil to one that's well-draining, do not pee in plant, (S.) I hope your plant makes it, FReckle, but it sounds like it's been through a lot..Toni
freckleface
Original Author
18 years ago
Gracious, I seem to have done everything wrong! All extra-toiletry activities will end at once!

Thanks for all that valuable advice Hopeful. I imagine my pot is too big. It doens't look too big, but it is about three times the size of the container I bought it in. I will go the repotting route and I'll mix the potting soil.

By the way, what does "leech" mean - does it mean give it a heavy water and let the water run through?

Thanks again for the advice.
Related Discussions
trying to save deceased grandfather's meyer lemon!
Q
Comments (7)
Meyer is the most nit-pinicky plant I know. I have 3 meyers and I have the same problem before. They are now looking very healthy. If I were you, that is if I were you I would dig that meyer and plant it again in a pot the same size as when you have it. Right now it is in shock and it may go if you are not careful. I think that being in a pot you can take care of it better. You can regulate the temperature for one thing and the pH of the soil. Dig it so you don't bother the roots at all. At this time it may have root rot by now. You said you damaged the roots while transplanting. You should have cut the branches off in proportion with the damage roots because one of the reasons you lost most of its leaves is because the roots can not sustain the leaves demands for water/nutrients because of the roots ' removal. It is not too late for you to trim more of the branches even when they are green. You will see they will bounce back with very green new buds once the tempt goes up. Don't believe the other's that you'll hurt the tree. Don't be afraid to cut the leaves and leave just a few. Second don't give any any fertilizer this time. The roots is not ready to take in fertilizer because it is still in shock. The less fertilizer it consumes the better it is. The first time you transferred it to a pot drenched the pot wiith lots of water. You want the salts and the fertilizers out of the soil at this time. Run a trckling water to the pot maybe 20 minutes until you can be sure all the salts are gone. Then put a transparent plastic cover over the plants and create a 3 to 4 holes as big as quarters on top. Now put it on the window sill but not in direct sunliight for about 5 days. Or until you see new buds are coming out. Then that is the time you can fertilize at 1/4 the dose. Use the miracid by Miracle grow fertilizer at 30-10-10 use for azealia/rhoddendrum/ camelia fertiler . Don't water it anymore until the 1st 2 inches of soil is dry. It is better to trim the tops right now to better serve the leaves by the remaining roots.Make sure the soil is every fast draining. A good mix is 1/3 sand 1/3 peat 1/3 top soil. I hope you don't have root rot at this time. Check it first. If your roots is still healthy I am sure your tree will recover. Treat it just like a sick child. Only clear liquids, no solids and rest. Lots of it.
...See More
Meyer lemon from seed - ut oh !!!
Q
Comments (2)
Meyer Lemons are usually grafted, or rooted, but can be propagated by seed. When Meyer Lemon's are grown from seed they will usually come true from seed, or fairly close to their parent. Your relative's tree should produce good tasting fruit, either the same as your Meyer or very close to your tree. It takes 4+ years to fruit from seed, when grown outdoor in a warm climate like California or Florida. When grow in a cold climate where the tree is in a building for 4- to 6 months a year, it can take longer.See this WEB site: www.tradewindsfruit.com/meyer_lemon.htm
...See More
is this Meyer Lemon tree worth saving?
Q
Comments (2)
tell him it'll take a lot of love and care to rehabilitate that tree, he should probably buy a new tree and that you'll take this one off his hands, lol
...See More
Can my dying Meyer Lemon Be Saved?
Q
Comments (9)
Thanks all. I'll address each comment below: "You can purchase pine bark fines, which would be a terrific amendment to a normal potting mix (soil-less) along with a generous amount of perlite. A good container medium might be an equal amount of those three ingredients." I've always had bad luck with perlite - it seems to keep the soil way too dry and has essentially killed anything I've experimented with. Also, with all the soils I've considered, I'm not familiar with a normal potting mix that is also soil-less. What materials do you normally see? I know pretty well that citrus hates to have wet roots, so that was my goal with finally finding some larger pine bark chips. Are you suggesting that I mash some of those up into dime-sized pieces and mix in some perlite? "I don't know why you're using Christmas lights if it's inside. How cold do you keep it inside?? Most citrus actually would prefer to be MUCH cooler than us in our winter homes. Don't know where in NJ you live, but I see 70's by day in the extended forcast and maybe 50's or upper 40's in some areas--this ain't cold for citrus!" My house has some poor insulation in the walls, so I thought the Xmas lights would help give the roots a little heat. The house is chilly but not out of livable temps. "Jer, what's a CFL lamp? Does this lamp put out a lot of heat?" It's a basic compact flouresent bulb. No heat, just light. On a timer, too. That was only over last winter while it was indoors. It is indeed dry in the house, but I don't think that would kill the tree. It didn't bounce back after a summer outside, either. "Let's address the root problem. Does the pot sit in a pan to catch water overflow? You need well draining soil and never let the roots sit in water. I'm going to suggest you find some sandy soil. Not pure sand but sandy soil. It will drain well and dry quickly. Repot in sandy soil and feed with Superthrive. An 8 oz bottle is about $15 but I put great faith in Superthrive. Many folks think it is snake oil but I swear by it. If anything will save your tree, Superthrive will." The wet roots and weaker draining was the reason I finally went with the pine bark chips. It was certainly wet in any part-soil mix I previously was using. Are you suggesting sand + crushed pine back chips? I am willing to try the Superthrive if you think it will help. Will it be much better than Miracle Gro for Azeleas (or whatever the acid-loving brand is named)? Thanks all! I'll have to start bringing the tree indoors soon when it dips into the low 30s at night. I hope I can save it!
...See More
rickjames
18 years ago
I believe one problem with urine is that it can have a few too many dissolved salts in it that are bad for your tree confined to a container--like sodium. Leaching the soil [ a leech is a worm and I certainly hope you don't need one of those ;)] is just flushing it out with plain water (rain is best if you can collect) to rinse out these salts. One would water it really thoroughly so that water flows out the bottom of the container--I turn a hose on low and let it run in the container for like 20 minutes or so. Really "wash" that soil, but you may not need to if you are going to re-pot it anyway.

I would in general agree with the sound advice Toni gave you. You may have a drainage issue, and there is a lot to read here on GW. I will direct you to another very informative thread.

HTH

Here is a link that might be useful: Container soils and water in containers
birdsnblooms
18 years ago
Rick, thanks for the spelling correction..I'm sure Freckle doesn't need a worm..LOL..
Yes, Freckle should 'leach' the soil and good. Or repot w/fresh soil.
And go down a size in pots. 3 sizes is too large..Toni
freckleface
Original Author
18 years ago
I will repot, but just out of interest and for future reference: will leaching also dilute and/or eradicate the (over-abundance of) fertilizer?

Once again, many thanks for the advice. This forum is amazing for a beginner - so many experienced minds willing to help!
birdsnblooms
18 years ago
Freckle, yes it will..Leaching the soil,(allowing water to run through soil) will help rid salts, and also a great pick-me-up for your tree. Also, spraying leaves in sink, shower, hose perks it up.

I know what you mean..I too love GW and hope it's here forever..I've leard a lot, given advice, and chatted w/some wonderful ppl..Toni

Oh, someone save my Meyer Lemon!

Comments (6)

birdsnblooms

freckleface
Original Author

Related Discussions

rickjames

birdsnblooms

freckleface
Original Author

birdsnblooms

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Oh, someone save my Meyer Lemon!

Comments (6)

birdsnblooms

frecklefaceOriginal Author

Related Discussions

rickjames

birdsnblooms

frecklefaceOriginal Author

birdsnblooms

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

freckleface
Original Author

freckleface
Original Author