Comgrats on your new tree! It will not put out a growth flush until the roots have grown enough to support more leaves. Three weeks is simply not enough time. In 6 months, you should see at least one, maybe two growth flushes. Citrus do not like to be overwatered. I think every third day should be more than enough, even in the drought. Your tree may or may not flower this season. If not, there won't be any fruit in winter. How large of a tree is it? Grafted?

Citrus do what they want, when they want. You can't "make" them do anything. I have 44 of them (sigh) so I'm used to them being stubborn(G).

Lisa

Thanks Lisa, The tree is about four and a half feet tall. Got it at Nu-turf on Dixie Highway off Copans in Pompano. It had some inspection info (that I threw away) but I don't know if it's been grafted. They seem like a reputable nursery - quite big with lots of fruit trees.

Should I be fertilizing it now????? With what do you recommend?????

You have FORTY-FOUR!!!! Wow, I have just this one :)

You could use a slow-release pelleted fertilizer, or mix up some liquid fish emulsion. Both are gentle enough for a root system that is trying to establish itself in the ground.

Look on the lower part of the tree for a bump or crooked area about 3"-6" above ground. That will be a graft. Grafted trees produce fruit much faster than seedlimgs. I suspect your tree is grafted, most are. Does it currently have flowers or fruit?

Once you start growing Citrus, you may find it addictive(G). It is fun to collect varieties so you have fruit nearly all year. My favorites are the Persian Limes and Bearss Lemon. A Buddha's Hand tree is also a neat collectable. The fruits aren't edible, but they sure are interesting to watch!

Lisa

Wow Lisa, I knew you had a lot of fruit bearing trees and shrubs, but 44 citrus trees. I should just drive over to your place once a week instead of going to the produce stand!

CindeeA, it sounds like a lot, but my place looks awfully bare. We have far too much lawn area. I lost so many pines that it opened up new planting places. The Citrus are mostly young, many in pots on the patio. Only 6 are mature, my Bearss Lemon, Meyer Lemon, Calamondin, Pineapple Orange, Ruby Red Grapefruit and an unknown Tangerine. Everything else is under 6' tall. The hurricanes severely damaged the mature citrus, so we had hardly any fruit last year. This year they are doing well!

I want our place to become a lush paradise with fruit everywhere. I like to wander the property popping Mulberries, Blueberries, Cherries, a Banana or two, and meltingly sweet, drippy Peaches down the gullet! Sure makes for a pleasant breakfast!

I'd be happy to share fruit! Hopefully we will have lots of Black Sapotes for Chocolate Pudding and Sapote cake!

Lisa

Thanks Lisa, I'll get some slow release pelleted fertilizer the next time I'm out. No flowers or fruit on it.

I'm sure my property is not as big as I imagine yours is, so I only have room for one fruit tree and I chose the Sambo.

Thanks for the advice.

Lisa,
If I may avail myself of your experience.., you seem to be the expert on Sambokan Lemons, and are roughly in my region. I bought a Sambokan Lemon tree, having never heard of the variety. It's about 5' tall, grafted, appears quite healthy. Will it survive indoors at a south facing window, or do better outside under an 8' overhang on the north side of the building? My only options in my condo, a bit north of you in Tampa.
I'd also like recommendations on repotting it. Will glazed pottery do? The typical next size larger than the 3.5 gallon plastic pot my tree came in at (don't scoff!) Lowes?
Thanks in advance for your reply!
Jeff

Jeff, the Lemon tree prefers full sun, outdoors. It is rated for zones 9-10, so just bring it in if a frost threatens.

Repot it if it is rootbound. Make a chunky, loose, soil mix, adding cactus mix or pine bark to standard potting soil. I tend to break ceramic pots. They are fragile. I prefer the plastic ones that look like ceramic.

Don't overwater. Citrus do fine when allowed to get a bit dry. wet feet will kill them.

I have found some very good deals on citrus at Lowes. My 1 gallon Buddha's Hand Citrons are 5' tall plants in only 7 months. Not bad for $9.95.

Lisa

Thanks Lisa!

Guess I'll have to move, cos it is not going to get full sun here. I had to repot it already. That thin black pot they're sold in wasn't working for me. I'll redo it with some cactus mix next trip to a garden center. Odd citrus and cactus would like similar soils.
I paid $40 for the Sambo. The tag siad 5 gallon, but its really a 3.5 gallon pot (I didn't push it).
I googled Buddha's Hand Citrons. I bet those are interesting! Maybe you can post a pic of them in bloom and/or the fruits?
Thanks again!
jeff