Prune off the downward growing branch. Prune the top down about 18 inches, the top right branch down about 6 inches; and lose the stake.

Hi Josh,

I’d listen to John’s pruning advice, but I might wait until you put it outside, since it’s nearly that time anyway.

There’s always diffferences of opinion on potting mediums here, but as long as your managing your watering properly, that’s the most important thing. If it hasn’t been repoted in a while, I’d suggest repoting it in fresh, quick draining medium. Be sure to barefoot the plant before adding new potting medium. Also, you should start a fertilizing regimen. Most of us use foliage pro dynogrow because slow release granular fertilizers aren’t designed for container plants (although some of us do it anyway).

Lemon trees grow quite large, even in a pot, unless grafted on dwarfing rootstock. You can prune it now but you will be constantly fighting against its tendencies. Also, I suppose it has not bloomed yet being a 5 year old seedling. Any pruning you do may throw it back in this matter. One idea is to try to have it grow horizontally by building some structure on which it will be espaliered with careful pruning. But that will affect its mobility...

thanks to all - this is super helpful info. we'll re-pot and begin to shape the plant once we get it outside.

My lemon seedling took 7 years to flower.