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How I butchered my brand new Meyer Lemon

debrazone9socal

18 years ago

My first citrus tree, a dwarf Meyer Lemon, has a nice big fat lemon, still green on it, and was showing signs of new blossoms.

However, the new growth was curled and stunted. So I got out my handy dandy glasses, gloves and shears. I saw jillions of happy, fat aphids being visited by ants and decided I could wait for lemons. WHACK!!! WHACK!!!! All gone. I pruned off the stunted growth along with the little unopened blossoms. Yes, I know I could have washed them off, picked them off, etc. But it was too late for the new growth and the amount of the aphids was, um, impressive.

This little tree is still in the 5 gallon pot I got him in about a month or so ago. It is hot, so I was not really excited about transplanting it into a bigger pot right now. I believe I may have watered it too much, so I'm holding back just a bit (still trying to be consistent).

So here's my question: did I do right?

Oh yeah, I'm in citrus heaven, Southern California.

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Comments (8)

Millet
18 years ago
NO. Nothing was done right. - Millet
Scott_K
18 years ago
Prune the aphids off? Ouch. Don't do that!
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bencelest
18 years ago
I don't even use gloves when I squeeze them with my bare hands. As one said here "I am a cruel SOB".
oregon_veg
18 years ago
So, what would be the RIGHT thing to do?
Soap spray?

Tom
drichard12
18 years ago
Dont take the above posting as being harsh, We all learn, an we all teach, should of, could of, an what was done, is done. Post a problem here an many will help you, Best of Luck
Millet
18 years ago
Oregon veg: there are various ways to get rid of aphids. In fact amoung insects aphids are the easiest of all to eradicate. I generally just wash them off with a forceful water spray using a brass adjustable hose nozzel. I also use this same method for mealy, and scale. Works great and does not kill the beneficals. Sometimes it might take a couple sprays. You can also use any of a number of insecicides, or like Benny just squish them (with or without gloves). - Millet
gatormomx2
18 years ago
Plain soapy water kills aphids .
Mix a tablespoon or so of regular dish soap with water in an old spray bottle that has been cleaned .
Shake and spray the leaves on all sides .
For in ground trees you can do the same with a hose end spray container .
Or you can just ignore the aphids , wait for the ladybugs to arrive and live with a few curly leaves .
tamstrees
18 years ago
Does anyone have a simple explaination on pruning a citrus tree?

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