Meyer Lemon tree losing it's leaves inside under grow light
Jenny Sculley
6 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (45)
Related Discussions
Meyer lemon tree losing leaves
Comments (4)Huntro: I think watering thoroughly at least once a week is your problem. Yellowing leaves, followed by leaf drop, is fairly typical of overwatering. Try watering only when you are certain the soil in your pot has dried out; that may be a period of two weeks, depending on your soil. Citrus requires less water than most other fruits and potted plants, and it is easy to rot citrus roots in waterlogged soil. I also believe it is good practice to re-pot plants like Meyer Lemon about every third year, just on general principles. Fresh soil that drains well and a little root pruning should help to re-invigorate your plant, and that is what I would do with it now, just in case there is some life left in the roots. Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA...See MoreLosing all leaves = Dead lemon tree?
Comments (7)I am really surprised that so many seem to be saying that Meyer's is a difficult citrus. My experience couldn't be more different. Mine has been overwintering in a cold garage where the January temps ran from 32 F. to 55 F., it was hardly watered and the light is decent but not intense. It is literally covered with fruit now and is beginning to push active growth in response to stronger sun and longer days. It also blooms throughout the year. Meantime, another Meyer's I brought inside for the winter, is covered with scale. I intend to wash it thoroughly and get it out of the house A.S.A.P.. So far, I would say I have been least impressed with flowering and fruiting (or lack of) of true lemons (not the hybrids). Maybe after a good year, I'll feel differently. Yes, citrus are good about recouping from defoliation. My Persian lime recouped nicely in the basement (under fluorescent) after some problems in late fall--currently in flower actually. Good luck!...See MoreMeyer Lemons Losing Leaves and Yellowed - Help Please!
Comments (8)Well, shortly after the post, I realized I needed to take action, so I repotted both lemons right away. They were originally put into 12 inch terracotta pots, but I reduced the size of one to a 10 inch terracotta pot (the second stayed in the 12 inch). When I trimmed in the original potting, it was less than an inch off the bottom. I repotted with 1/3 part of cedar shavings (as recommended by Four Winds Growers) and gave them a GOOD SOAKING of water. The roots were quite dry, no root rot had set in, and they were very healthy. The roots looked the same as when they shipped 6 days prior. The GOOD NEWS: the next day after repotting and heavy watering, a few of the buds opened up! They smell fantastic. I imagine the plant wouldn't open buds if it wasn't bouncing back? They've also bee in full sun since Sunday. There are still some yellow leaves, and I lost a few more (maybe 1 a day from each, rather than 6+ a day from each), but I take it they're recovering? After seeing the buds open up, I gave a light feeding and another watering today. We're having night lows in the 50's, so I'm leaving them outside at night now too. Are they on the mend?...See MoreMeyer lemon tree losing leaves help !
Comments (4)Well, you have probably made some of the classic Meyer lemon errors. First, when you dramatically change the light conditions a Meyer will drop most, if not all its leaves, to replace them later with leaves better suited to the new light conditions. To move a Meyer from outside to inside without the leaf loss, you need to move it from full sun to partial sun for 2 weeks; then to full shade for 2 weeks; then indoors; reverse the process when putting it out in the Spring... and please DO put it out, if you can; you will be rewarded with a happy, healthy plant. Second, when you bring it indoors to a sunny window, the plant gets warm; but the roots generally stay cool; and citrus roots don't like to grow into cool soil... the solution is to put some sort of heater to warm the soil, or to put the plant a little further from the window. The thing to remember is first the roots grow; and then the leaves and branches. Now to your current situation... the plant is stressed and "thinks" it is going to die, so it will try to make seeds (fruit). If you take off the flowers, the tree will only make more; so wait until the flowers drop and then take off all the fruit; soon after that, if you treat it well, it will start to make new leaves... and then you should start to feed it. Have patience....See MoreJenny Sculley
6 years agoJenny Sculley
6 years agomyermike_1micha
6 years agoJenny Sculley
6 years agoJenny Sculley
6 years agoJenny Sculley
6 years agoJenny Sculley
6 years agoVladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoJenny Sculley thanked Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)sunshine (zone 6a, Ontario,Canada)
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoJenny Sculley thanked sunshine (zone 6a, Ontario,Canada)Jenny Sculley
6 years agoHome
6 years agoMonyet
6 years agomyermike_1micha
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoMonyet
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agosunshine (zone 6a, Ontario,Canada)
6 years ago
Related Stories
EDIBLE GARDENSThere’s a Lot to Love About a Meyer Lemon Tree
See how to grow this sweet fruit tree
Full StoryTREES10 Top Trees to Grow in Containers
These container-friendly trees make great specimens for pots on the patio or marking an entrance
Full StoryEDIBLE GARDENSHow to Grow 10 Favorite Fruit Trees at Home
Plant a mini orchard in fall, winter or early spring to enjoy fresh-off-the-tree fruit the following year
Full StoryCHRISTMASHow to Light Your Christmas Tree Like a Pro
Give yourself frustration-free tree lighting this year — the trick is clever cord management
Full StoryTREESHow to Use Trees Inside
Bring nature close by integrating the beauty of trunks and trees — even smaller leafy trees — into your home
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGrow Your Own Privacy: How to Screen With Plants and Trees
Use living walls to lower your home and garden's exposure while boosting natural beauty in your landscape
Full StoryFRUIT TREESHow to Grow Your Own Persimmons
Sturdy and easy to care for, these trees offer bright fruit through winter — and keeping them in bounds is no sweat
Full StoryFALL GARDENING5 Ways to Put Fall Leaves to Work in Your Garden
Improve your soil and yard the organic way with a valuable garden booster that grows on trees
Full StoryEDIBLE GARDENSWhy Grow Quince? For Beauty, Fragrance and Old-Time Flavor
Delightfully perfumed fruit and lovely spring blossoms make this apple and pear cousin worth a spot in the garden
Full StoryFRUIT TREESHow to Grow Your Own Juicy Plums
Easier than other stone fruits and with a variety of colors to choose from, plums are a versatile garden addition
Full Story
Home