bought my first one - have questions!

12 years ago

I went into Agway for cat litter - and there was a huge flat trolley full of Meyer lemons. They were from Texas, can't remember the name of grower, in 1 gallon pots, about 3' tall, very lushly green, priced at $29.99 ON SALE for $10!!!How could I not get one? The one I picked out has loads of buds, and one teeny tiny little lemon the size of a piece of cooked orzo pasta. So here are my newbie questions:

Fertilizer:

The plant man at Agway said fertilize with someone with a "low first number".

I found something for succulents 2-8-8, and since my other houseplants include two Christmas Cactus and a huge Jade, I figured it was worth investing in a bottle.

I have not fertilized it yet, just have been keeping soil moist. Is weak fertilizer every time I water the best way, or is is better to use plain water, with a fertilizer dose every few weeks?

Environment:

I live in southwest NH, this is definitely a houseplant. I may move it outside for the summer, on a sheltered sunny deck. My major heat is a woodstove, the oil heat only kicks on if I am not home and it gets down to 60. I have two humidifiers, one on the stove and one near the piano - usual household humidity in the worse part of the winter is mid 40's.I put the pot on a layer of pebbles in a dish near an east window, on a plant stand well away from the baseboard hot water heat, with water just below the surface of the pebbles. When the Christmas tree is gone, I will move it to a (much bigger) west window, without any heat unit close to it.

Fruit and flower:

Is it likely to hold onto that little lemon? If so, how long does it take to mature?

Is it likely to hold onto those blossom buds? Do I need to do the paint brush/fertilization thing or are the flowers self-fertile?

Education:

Can you recommend a good book for citrus novices?

Thank you all!

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Comments (5)

mksmth zone 7a Tulsa Oklahoma
12 years ago
Awesome Deal! youll be hooked now.

Your Agway man is dead wrong. Citrus love nitrogen. An ideal ration is 9-3-6 and of course youll need the minor elements also. I wouldnt worry too much about ferts right now since it will be growing slow inside.

Be sure the soil drains very good, Like dries out in a couple days. If it stay wet for too long you could get root rot. Use a wooden dowel or even your finger. If it comes out wet dont water until it is dry.

The tree will need a lot of light either by a sunny window or artificial to grow. here is a general rule of thumb for inside trees

if you can provide a lot of light keep the roots warm and water as needed.

if you cant provide a lot of light keep the roots cool, 50's or so and water very sparingly.

it may hold on to the lemon it wont hurt it to leave on.

I gotta run but you did come to the right place to learn.

Mike
meyermike_1micha
12 years ago
You live in New Hampshire you say? What Agway is this? You are lucky since I have never seen citrus sold anywhere near us except for at Nurseries and they are still going for 34.99 a pop and ever more!

I think the cheapest ones I saw were at the local nursery yesterday and they were 1/2 off. Lots of Meyers, Kumquats, Calamondin and so on they are just going to leave outside for death, probably tonight:-(

Mike gave you some very good basics!

How far do you live from Worcester Ma?

Fertilizer:

Can you get a bottle of fertilizer locally with the numbers Mike speaks of?
If you can not get one with those numbers such as Foliage Pro, then at least use one with a higher nitrogen content.
Citrus trees feed heavily on nitrogen. Your fertilizer should have more nitrogen (N) than phosphorous (P) or potassium (K). Use at least a 2-1-1 ratio. Miracid Soil Acidifier is a water-soluble product that works well and is a 3-1-1 ratio

Mix:

If your citrus are growing in a mix that drains very well and is porous, then you could feed at every watering 1/4 strength. If not, then I would fertilizer as the directions say and make sure to flush out your soil mix once a month with fresh water.

DO NOT WATER IF THE TOP OF THE SOIL IS DRY WITHOUT CHECKING THE SOIL AT ROOT LEVEL

Humidity:

Your trees will do fine without, but better with it.
Those grown in humid environments have better flowers that last longer although the foliage stays fine. Mix choice would be my main concern over humidity for sure.
Watch for pests of any sort, frequently. Make sure to never let these buggers slip by you and gain the upper hand.

Fruit:

How long the fruit takes to develop depends on your growing conditions. The happier your plant is the better the fruit development.
The more sun, fertilizer, warmth the faster the fruit grow.
Your choice of mix will determine it's vigor for sure along with these other factors.

They self pollinate.

The Meyer lemon tree is self fruitful, which is the horticulturists' way of saying "self pollinator."

Where can you go for a good read on citrus?

Right here.

Welcome to what is about to be a new addiction for you:-)

Mike
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johnmerr
12 years ago
I like to say the Meyer lemon flower is a perfect flower; that is, it doesn't need ANY help to produce lemons. On the other hand, if you want to produce seeds, you need a bee; but if the tree is outside when it blooms and there is a bee within half a mile, you will have bees attracted by the most beautiful lemon blossom scent in the world. Regarding fertilizer the traditional wisdom is that citrus absorbs NPK in the ration of 5-1-3; but the Meyer is such a prolific producer that you have to bump up the P and K, unless you just want to grow a pretty green plant.
sunnysideuphill
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you all! I have obviously come to the right place. The Agway where I bought it is in Keene, NH - one of three (Keene, Walpole NH and Brattleboro Vt) owned by one family.
I am about 90 minutes from Shirley, MA, and I pass the Worcester exit on route 2 when I go there, if that helps locate me.
I am going out to buy the correct fertilizer for the citrus tomorow.
johnmerr
12 years ago
One final thought... if your 1 gallon Meyer has flowers and fruit, it is only because the grower over fertilized it to make it so for selling; based on that alone, if you are going to leave it in the same pot for now, I would not put any fertilizer until you can put it outside... at least for a few hours, in the Spring.

bought my first one - have questions!

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mksmth zone 7a Tulsa Oklahoma

meyermike_1micha

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bought my first one - have questions!

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mksmth zone 7a Tulsa Oklahoma

meyermike_1micha

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