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Just purchased a Meyer Lemon Container Tree

17 years ago

Now what?!

I'm a novice gardener and our house is going to be under construction next year, so I don't want to plant it in the ground (it might get damaged in the construction next year).

Will it grow well in a container? What size would you recommend? What do I need to replant it and have it remain healthy, thrive and produce lots of fruit?

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Comments (5)

birdsnblooms
17 years ago
If your Meyer's needs repotting, use a pot 1-2 sizes larger than the pot it's in.
Use a well-draining soil..I use all purpose, sand, peat and Perlite.
Keep plant in bright light to full sun. Set outdoors while the weahter's still nice.
Fertilize w/a citrus or azlalia fertiliers. Follow container directions.
I don't blame you for waiting on the construction..when we had our roof done, they killed a few of my plants including the first rose I've ever grown. So, it's best to wait..after they finish, then plant your citrus in a sunny spot in the garden..Toni
jrdibble
17 years ago
Hey Toni, this goes back to my soil question a little while ago....do you use equal parts of all those ingredients? And what kind of sand do you use? (Jesus, did I just ask that?) :)
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Hey, I remember when I was first excited to use the good mix too...You would be amazed at how awesome trees do in the stuff you are so anxiously waiting to use..By the way, great idea about soaking the bark! It is even so clean looking and just beautiful to match that beautiful tree.. I wonder about that mix it came in..It looks like it is ready to break down fast already..Hard to really tell..It looks like it would be good draining for one season more. Let me ask you this..This is your homework. Call that place tomorrow and ask them specific questions about the care your tree just came from and what kind of mix they use. Here is what I would ask them to help give your tree a head start and to mimick as close as they did. 1. What exactly is in their mix? 2. How long has the tree been in that same pot? 3. What kind of warmth did it recieve? 4. How much sunlight did they get? 5. Were they grown outside or in a controlled environment, like a greenhouse? 6.Did they use any type of acidifyer product? 7. What was teh fertilizer they used? By the way, what Zone do you live in? Where in the world? Will you have to winter it inside or will you be able to expose it to full sun all winter long? Does it get cold there? That will determin if you can use a less than ideal mix to carry you over until spring) MIke This post was edited by meyermike_1micha on Thu, Oct 30, 14 at 17:30
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Pabrocb, Citrus county. I should have run the misters....my fault 100%. The fact the winter before did not hurt them gave me, as it turned out a false sense of security. It damaged the grapefruit trees also but did not hurt the orange, tangelo, murcott or tangerine trees at all (other than mild leaf drop on a couple). Part of the reason I thought the trees were ok is we are on a lake and the lake is to the north of the trees and the warm water has always blunted the cold. I think I have a dozen or so citrus trees in total.
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I just wanted to post an update: The lemon tree seems to be in a stage of stasis. The leaves are not getting any greener, or yellower. I had started as Josh suggested on the 5ML dose. But that doesnt seem to be making any difference. I hated the nursery soil it came in. Last week, I decided what the heck and just repotted it into the gritty mix. I have repotted other plants before without any negative effects on the plants. So that gave me a bit of confidence. I barerooted the lemon tree. Rinsed up pretty much all of the previous soil mix. I didnt notice any roots coming off or getting damaged. So hopefully it will be okay. its been 5 days now since the repot. I guess this tree just wont react to anything I do to it. haha Still the same. Didnt get better, not getting worse. Certainly no leaf loss or yellowing. No new foilage either. Lastly, I decided to just remove all the lemons that had formed on it. There must have been 30 or more. Hopefully this will also help it. (okay I left one. The biggest one). =) I will update again in a while. This post was edited by TorontoNick on Tue, Jan 20, 15 at 23:14
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birdsnblooms
17 years ago
Jr, I really don't measure, but I'd say I use 1/3 all purpose, 1/3 sand and 1/3 peat moss..then I throw in a couple handfuls of Perlite in the mix..I add all to a big pot, mix then repot plants.

My son got me an Oro Grapefrut from CA..the tree stands about 1 1/2' tall..You'd think it'd be light..this nursery pots w/a ton of sand..the pot is heavier than 3 of my 3gallon citrus trees..WET..Talk about well-draining..LOL..
What type of soil are you currently using? Toni
jrdibble
17 years ago
Hey Toni, sorry I haven't checked this site in a while. To answer your question, I have Lamberts soil from Canada. Sold in Home Depot. It's supposed to drain better than the normal stuff.
birdsnblooms
17 years ago
Jr, I never heard of Lamberts. You'll have to play with it to see how it works. But I'd make sure it's well draining. One thing you can do is add a little in a small pot then water..Watch to see how fast the water drains. Experiment w/the pot material your citrus are in..so if you use plastic pot for your citrus, use a plastic container for the experiment.Toni

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