Hi Jerry, Are you near Aurora? Is that how you found Schaefers? Did you ever shop at Jamacan Gardens..there's one in Morton Grove and another in Libertyville. They both sell citrus and a million other tropicals.. 12.99 is a good price, especially compared to many other citrus nurseries around. My brother bought me a small citrus 2 yrs ago, (don't know name of nursery) up north for about the same price, but it's only 1-1 1 1/2' tall..It has baby lemons growing though..I imagine it's a dwarf. I should check if it's the same nursery cause Schafer sounds familiar, even though I've never been to one..As far as Lowe's, there aren't any nearby, not here, sw of Chicago. I think most are up north and west. Thats too bad about your Kumquat..I feel they're one of the easist citrus to grow..and fruit often. You're doggie was a bad girl, huh? LOL..nibbling on fruit..shame on her. I've never had luck w/4winds citrus. I admit, I ordered from them some time ago, but what they sent were 2 bare-root citrus that were super small. They didn't last more than a few months..they didn't look well upon arrival, but perhaps 4Winds are now sending better looking trees. Meyer's seem to be ever-flowering and fruiting..I grow all my citrus about the same way..as much light as possible, well-draining soil, citrus fertilizer, a summer outside. In winter they're kept on the cool side..in other words, a room that is semi-heated..No heating vents. South windows, w/some west. Artificial light at night. Before bringing plants indoors I spray foliage w/Fish Emulsion..it prevents scale and since it's sold as an organic fertilizer, used as a last foliar feeding. While plants are indoors in winter, mine are misted daily. Better yet, if managable size, taken to sink and hosed or showered..No fertilizer in winter.. Since you're in Il, you know humiidty decreases once the heat is turned on..Buy a humidifer..they work fantastic, Jerry. And like I stated above, humidity is also the reason I mist foliage..If your tree is small, you can also place a humidity tray under pot..Place stones/rocks on a larger saucer and keep filled w/water..don't let water touch roots though... To check if soil is moist or dry use the finger method..stick finger in soil as deep as it goes..if it comes out dry, then it's time for a drink..if your finger comes out wet then wait a few days and recheck. Or you can test by lifting pot..dry soil ='s a light weight pot..if heavy it's still moist/wet. I wait until soil looks crumbly before watering. One problem in winter is bugs. Do you use insecticides? I don't believe in using (most) chemicals so make up my own concoction for mites..But that's jumping the gun.. I believe you said your citrus are outside now, right? Keep out till temps are about 40F. Before bringing indoors, hose off thoroughly. You can either bring in gradually, to adapt to lower light conditions or all at once, as long as you have a bright window, and heat isn't yet turned on. Because of the change, a few yellow leaves are inevitable, just pluck them off. Anyway, Jerry, like I said, I grow all citrus the same way. The only citrus I've yet to get to fruit is my Orange Navel..I believe it needs longer summers, something we don't have here in IL. I can't keep a Buddha Hand either.. I planned on ordering another this spring, but w/the ban in Fl, the two places I order citrus from cannot ship..Briteleaf and Harriscitrus Their trees are fairly tall, bug-free, and inexpensive..15-20.00 per tree..Well, there's always next yr..hopefully by then the ban will be over. That darn canker has caused so much damage..u know? What is number 5? LOL You don't use Citrus fertilizer? I don't see any problem with it, and most here who grow citrus use some form of time-release citrus food. What type of Osmocote do you use? Does it contain nutrients like iron, mag, etc? Also, isn't Osmocote a form of time-release? I think I'd look into citrus food if I were you..though, Jerry, don't think I'm telling you what to do..okay? This is what I'd do w/my own citrus. I don't knowi if Hoffman has a website, but that's the brand I use..check it out when u have time. I also picked up a box of citrus food at Jamacan Gardens..Price wasn't bad. I'm sure Ebay sells citrus food, too. Are u going to buy the Eureka? Good luck Jerry..Toni

I would not prune right now. Let the tree try to adjust to the re-potting. See how it does and how many leaves it drops over the next 3 to 4 weeks. One of the things you can do if you like, is to weight down one of the other branches (not the larger one) so that it is parallel to the ground. That way, it will cause new apical stimulation, and you'll see leafing and branching along the nodes facing upward. A nice tricky way to stimulate new growth on the smaller side. Patty S.

No, no sand, no clay. I would search this forum for "511 mix" or "Gritty Mix" and write down the formula for that. Yes, You'll want to re-pot into a a larger pot. Either resin, fiberglass or glazed pottery are good choices. Even plastic, but I would try to avoid black if you can. Fertilize your potted citrus about once a month. Many folks here really like DynaGro Foliage Pro for potted citrus. Water frequently when it's warm. And, place outside for as long as possible. You don't provide your Sunset zone in your GW info, so as long as you're not in an area that gets freezing temps, you can safely leave your tree outside all year 'round. Patty S.

I hope it is not too late. I just saw your message. It appears to me to be a watering issue. I really do not think light would cause the wilting that I see. First I would check for insects on the trunk, branches and leaves - even underneath the leaves. The pests most likely to be on citrus are aphids and scale. Next, if you can, put it in the shower and spray it off well which will help control insects and soak through the soil well. If you did see any pests I would first spray thoroughly with insecticidal soap (aphids) or horticultural oil (scale or aphids). Be sure you get the underneath the leaves. Then follow up with water - just barely warm water. After the leaves dry off then put it back where it was. Do not water again until the soil seems slightly dry when you stick your finger in up to the first knuckle. When watering, water enough so the soil soaks in and a little comes out the bottom of the pot. I have never misted my citrus and do not see any reason to do so. I have two lemon trees, one navel orange, one key lime, and two grapefruit. One lemon tree I have had for years and moved with me to Alaska and back. Here is a link that might be useful: Edible Landscaping - lemons