How to adapt for sudden weather changes?

8 years ago

Hello All,
I am the proud owner of a young Meyer Lemon potted plant. We have been having some nice, sunny weather out here on Long Island in NY. From yesterday till the end of this week however, it is supposed to be rainy.
I have been careful not to over water my plants. During this week, should I be bringing the plant inside? Problem is it will not be getting sun. I can give it artificial light though.

If I know it is raining one day in a week and I water once a week should I just let the rain do it's work and not water it? If I do water and it is raining later that week do I need to make sure it gets covered as not to over water?

Thanks.

P.S. I have started grapefruit seedlings about 1.5 months ago. They are doing quite well in the soil. Just want to know, how often to water these. Some say every day to keep moist and some say every few days to let it dry out and let the roots stretch.

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Comments (5)

mksmth zone 7a Tulsa Oklahoma
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
It all depends on the soil mix and how well it drains. We just had a record setting May for rain at my place 18.50" in one month. My trees were out for all of it. They are flushing new growth and flowering. Of course we had fairly warm temperatures and a few sunny days and partly sunny days or I would have moved them under some shelter. I say let it rain. Its the best water you let them have.
Jon Zar thanked mksmth zone 7a Tulsa Oklahoma
Jon Zar
Original Author
8 years ago
I just have been so careful about over watering, I seem to not understand how letting the plant sit for one week outside in rainy weather is productive.
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Atheen - 7a - in Maryland, USA
8 years ago
Hi Jon,

I understand your frustration, I'm a newbie too. It is very confusing in the beginning, isn't it? Rain water apparently contains a lot of very good stuff for citrus trees. Also, from the letting the trees outside point, I can only speak from my very limited personal experience, but my two trees were not really happy inside and had started to have spider mites. Sunlight from being outside helped my trees a lot. The parasites are now gone and the trees have been thriving since I got them used to being on the deck.

What soil are your trees potted in right now? Apparently if your soil is very well draining, I've been told by informed sources (tm) that rain isn't an issue anymore ;) Also, can you post a picture of your trees? Folks here are really helpful, but a lot of issues with lemon trees are directly depending on the soil they are in, and it's easier for veterans here to help you if you can show a picture of your tree, too.

Good luck! :)

Atheen
Jon Zar
Original Author
8 years ago
Hello Athena.
Yes confusing indeed.

My tree is just in regular planting mix. Its a mix of a bunch of different things. Pearlite and that moss stuff, and some other stuff. Supposed to be pretty well draining. But I feel it holds moisture more than a lemon tree might want. I have attached photos.

Thanks for your help
bmelz
8 years ago
A week of rain should be fine as long as your soil has good drainage. The problem with over-watering / root rot occurs when the tree is consistently over-watered. ie. wet roots for months on end. A single week should not cause issue, as long as your tree is healthy.

Hell, when my trees were inside during the winter, the soil would sometimes be moist for well over a week. For my trees, which are about 3' tall (depending where you measure from) some of the bottom leafs sometimes get yellow and fall. a few weeks later and some shots of fert and I get new flush of leaves.

If you're overly concerned, and can move the trees, just put them under your overhang, or something that will deflect most of the rain.

TLDR; A single week of continuous rain shouldn't pose a problem, as long as your regular watering regiment allows for your soil/roots to dry.

How to adapt for sudden weather changes?

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mksmth zone 7a Tulsa Oklahoma

Jon Zar
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Atheen - 7a - in Maryland, USA

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How to adapt for sudden weather changes?

Comments (5)

mksmth zone 7a Tulsa Oklahoma

Jon ZarOriginal Author

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Atheen - 7a - in Maryland, USA

Jon ZarOriginal Author

bmelz

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BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

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Jon Zar
Original Author

Jon Zar
Original Author