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Meyer Lemon - re pot now? prune the roots?

8 years ago

Just wondering if now would be a bad/good time to re pot my Meyer Lemon tree. (same pot, just replace the medium)

I am in South Western Ontario (6B) and the tree has been inside for roughly a month. I re potted it in the spring, but I think I made a couple mistakes in that I didn't properly screen my pine bark. As a result I find that the bottom of my pot doesn't seem to be drying out as quickly as the top.

I have had a few leaves (maybe 12 or so) turn yellow and drop off since it's been inside. Really only a few a week. I think I might have a minor spider mite problem so I am attempting to correct that by spraying/misting water with a couple drops of dawn. The tree currently has about 12 various stages of fruit and it just flushed a bunch of blossoms.

My first question is whether or not this is an appropriate time to re pot it.

My second question is regarding root pruning. When/if I decide to re pot it now, should I trim any of the roots? If root pruning is recommended, should I also prune any branches?

I have no problem waiting out a few months, or waiting until I am positive to be mite clear, I just came across an abundance of coarse perlite and some better pine bark than I used in the spring.

I also have a Key lime that hasn't lost a single leaf at all and doesn't seem to have any mites (although I'm sure if the Meyer has it, the lime does as well). Overall it seems much healthier, but is in the same mix as the Meyer. I would probably re pot it as well at this time, unless it would be ill advised.

Thanks for any advice offered.

Featured Answer

myermike_1micha

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I would do one of two choices.

I would put it in a bigger pot filled with mulch or soil, the pot in pot method so the bottom of the planted pot will rest on or be in contact with the soil or mulch and the water will be tricked to come out of the planted pot with a wicking action....This way the perched water will sit in the empty pot filled with mulch rather the your potted one...

Or

I would push a nylon or cotton wick into the bottom of one of the holes of your pot and set the pot on a stand so that the wick dangles...The water at the bottom of your pot will continue to come out and dry in the air leaving you with virtually no perched water at the bottom..

This is just to hold you over until the best time of the year to root prune and bare root being around Fathers Day when your tree is actively growing...This way it gives it a chance to recover much more rapidly..

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Comments (8)

johnmerr
8 years ago
Since you have your Meyer inside now; and you have already changed its light condition (likely cause of leaf drop), it is probably not the right time to re-pot it. Inside for the Winter, your tree will not grow much if at all; ditto the roots. I think it best to wait until you put it outside and it is adjusted to the sun. BTW, if you want to avoid leaf drop for the Meyer in the Spring, move it from inside to outside full shade; after two weeks, move it to partial shade; and 2 more weeks to full sun.
pip313
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Well the op never said what the light situation is. Me I run a lot so the statement that I don't get growth in winter wouldn't be true.

So op, what is your light situation?
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bmelz
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi friends,

thanks for the replies

I figured I'd be missing some information. The plants are in front of a south facing picture window with direct view of the sun.

I've had the plants since February and last year in the same spot they seemed to grow quite well. I had about three flushes blossom/fruit and one flush of leafs/new growth(not sure if using the proper terminology here).

they are not receiving any supplemental light other than the direct light from the sun through the window.
pip313
8 years ago
Ok, yeah you wouldn't get much growth if at all. Wait
bmelz
Original Author
8 years ago
OK, so I don't need to be worried about poor drainage for the next 7 months?

I'm just concerned that the bottom of the pot will stay wet all winter. The top 4 inches seems to be drying out in about 5 days or so but bottom remains quite wet.
johnmerr
8 years ago
Put it on a broader, flatter saucer, so you don't have standing water in your saucer
bmelz
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for all of the comments and suggestions. I do have the plant on a saucer with stones in it so that the pot is not in the standing water. I will be more diligent with dumping water from the saucer.

I will also wick the tree. I think that is the best idea to make sure my potting mix doesn't stay soggy and cause problems with the roots.

Thanks a bunch.

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