Potted Meyer Lemon Tree

18 years ago

I just recently bought a Meyer lemon tree and have been told they are hard to take care when they are potted but IÂve done some research and just wanted to see if you guys had any tips! The tree is two years old, just under 1/2 an in inch in diameter at the base and potted in terra cotta. I'm using a 12-month citrus specific fertilizer tablet, 8-4-8, that is made specifically for young potted trees. It includes minors like magnesium, boron and copper. I live in Oregon in a USDA hardiness zone of 8a. When the sun is out and the temperature at least 60 I keep the tree outside but move it in at night, I plan to get full spectrum light bulbs around the house to help during the winter a little, plus Ive heard they are good for health anyway. I also mist the tree with a spray bottle a few times a day and try to water only when necessary (once a week or when the top 1" of soil is completely dry) I'm using well draining soil with an inch of gravel on the bottom and some mulch on the top. I keep the tree in partial sun, under a larger tree in my yard and slowly let the sun rise onto it giving it full light. Sorry this was so long! Any other suggestions? Thanks!

The hyperlink goes to a picture of my lemon tree

http://jusspress.com/photos/8336/20050720/160459.jpg

Comments (8)

garnetmoth
18 years ago
Way cute pot!

I think spray water should be rainwater or filtered water- usual tap will leave a film of salts eventually IIRC. Ive read that a change in media (potting soil/gravel) can actually make drainage worse at the boundry, better off to have one medium or one mixture for the whole thing

Also, I think several people here have recommended against pellets or spikes because they dont fert the whole plant. Most suggest soluble fert or bubbles like Osmacote.

I am completely new at all this, but ive been reading. Good luck!
citrus_x
18 years ago
Lemons can be a bit troublesome at times but my experience with Meyer has been very rewarding. The terra cotta is a good choice for a pot because they allow better air circulation in the root zone. I am a bit concerned about the light intensity. Citrus generally do better with at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun in warm climates and probably would benefit from even more in your cooler climate. Gro lights may help but nothing replaces good old sunshine. Be careful about frequent moves from outdoors to indoors this could promote leave drop with drastic changes in temperature and light intensity. As for fertilizers, citrus are heavy feeders of nitrogen and require frequent feeding. I would suggest a water soluble fertilizer like Peters or Miracle gro supplemented with a slow release pellet like ozmocote. Watch for trace nutient deficiencies like iron, zinc and magnesium and correct with a micronutrient fertilizer such as micromax. Use a well drained potting mix with course sand, perlite or bark to help with drainage. Citrus need excellent drainage so don't use soil out of the garden, as it may carry disease pathogens harmful to your tree and heavier garden soils do not retain their field qualities when placed in a pot. Studies show that gravel in the bottom of pots actually slows drainage for this reason I would suggest you stay with a uniform mix from top to bottom. Good luck hope this helps.
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Sorry, this photo was immediately following watering. I usually keep it drier. Good point regarding poor drainage, though, since I am a complete novice. The pot has holes on the bottom, and I set the pot on several bottle caps to raise the pot above the ground and allow those holes to function (theoretically). Do the photos look consistent with either root rot or excessive fertilizer? Thank you for chiming in!
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Camelotshadow
18 years ago
I don't know
My neoghbot threw a lemon in a hige pot about 10 years ago and I can't kill the sucker It a large bush
It takes neglect like anything
She never waters it
I do and kind have adopted it
I give it a crew cut everyonce ion a while and it grows andhas lemons

I give it fertilizer when think about it
as I have a huge bag and no citrus

My citrus all died

So who knows
Guess they dont care if they are loved
LOL

In my opinion its a hardy lemon andf the darn thing is in the shade half of the year with no sun

So go figure
birdsnblooms
18 years ago
Camel, did you say your citrus all died?? How awful!! What happened? Were they in pots on ground? I'm sorry to hear that..Toni
docbob3_charter_net
13 years ago
I had a failure with previous tre. I will be getting 3 yr old tree when weather breaks for transport. I want to start out right.
Tree will be unpotted. What do I do when tree arrives,type pot,soil, fertilizer,water, light etc. Very much appreciteated.

Thank you, Docbob
likabumfure_yahoo_com
13 years ago
I was thrilled to find a potted lemon tree in a garden center here in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.I bought it on an impulse and am now becoming aware of unique conditions to compensate for. It will be an indoor plant as this is a zone 3 climate.
I would appreciate tips on its care.
I have been rotating it using rolling casters under the pot to catch direct sun rays in different areas of the house but this is not a practical solution!
Colleen16
13 years ago
Cassie, at which greenhouse did you find a potted lemon tree in Edmonton?
htmaynard_hotmail_com
12 years ago
I have the same question as Colleen. Where in Edmonton did you buy your lemon tree?