I agree with Jean and would get a larger pot. You want the pot to at least comfortably hold the root mass and have a little extra room. In terms of should you repot now (and this will involve damage to the roots as you can't avoid it if you intend to get the hardened soil away from them), you probably shouldn't. However, you are in a situation where you are kind of darned if you do, darned if you don't. It's incredibly unhealthy to have a tree that is not only pot bound, but is in old soil that the constricting roots have compressed into a cement like condition. What I, personally, would do is repot now, but take great care to keep the roots moist during the entire process and have the new pot and new potting mix already prepared before beginning. After the repot I would have the tree indoors to spare it the heat and wind which could set it back as the roots may not be able to keep up with the tree's water requirements in an outdoor environment for awhile. Treat it as a houseplant until you see some new growth (probably 2-3 weeks) and then gradually adjust it to outdoor conditions. BTW, you should remove all of the roots that are spiraliing around the bottom of the pot, those won't do you any favors if you keep them. Just slice off the bottom third of the entire root mass, no sense trying to save this part. After that, remove any roots that look obviously damaged. Any that have dark spots (usually slimy) are rotting and should be removed completely. If there are any roots that are exceptionally thick compared to the rest, remove those as well. Those are past their prime in terms of providing water and nutrients to the tree. Lastly, don't fear this process too much even though it can be scary. In most cases the tree will sit and maybe even sulk (drop some leaves) for a few weeks, but then it recovers and in the long run does much better than had it been left in the condition it is in now.

Hi Jerry, Are you near Aurora? Is that how you found Schaefers? Did you ever shop at Jamacan Gardens..there's one in Morton Grove and another in Libertyville. They both sell citrus and a million other tropicals.. 12.99 is a good price, especially compared to many other citrus nurseries around. My brother bought me a small citrus 2 yrs ago, (don't know name of nursery) up north for about the same price, but it's only 1-1 1 1/2' tall..It has baby lemons growing though..I imagine it's a dwarf. I should check if it's the same nursery cause Schafer sounds familiar, even though I've never been to one..As far as Lowe's, there aren't any nearby, not here, sw of Chicago. I think most are up north and west. Thats too bad about your Kumquat..I feel they're one of the easist citrus to grow..and fruit often. You're doggie was a bad girl, huh? LOL..nibbling on fruit..shame on her. I've never had luck w/4winds citrus. I admit, I ordered from them some time ago, but what they sent were 2 bare-root citrus that were super small. They didn't last more than a few months..they didn't look well upon arrival, but perhaps 4Winds are now sending better looking trees. Meyer's seem to be ever-flowering and fruiting..I grow all my citrus about the same way..as much light as possible, well-draining soil, citrus fertilizer, a summer outside. In winter they're kept on the cool side..in other words, a room that is semi-heated..No heating vents. South windows, w/some west. Artificial light at night. Before bringing plants indoors I spray foliage w/Fish Emulsion..it prevents scale and since it's sold as an organic fertilizer, used as a last foliar feeding. While plants are indoors in winter, mine are misted daily. Better yet, if managable size, taken to sink and hosed or showered..No fertilizer in winter.. Since you're in Il, you know humiidty decreases once the heat is turned on..Buy a humidifer..they work fantastic, Jerry. And like I stated above, humidity is also the reason I mist foliage..If your tree is small, you can also place a humidity tray under pot..Place stones/rocks on a larger saucer and keep filled w/water..don't let water touch roots though... To check if soil is moist or dry use the finger method..stick finger in soil as deep as it goes..if it comes out dry, then it's time for a drink..if your finger comes out wet then wait a few days and recheck. Or you can test by lifting pot..dry soil ='s a light weight pot..if heavy it's still moist/wet. I wait until soil looks crumbly before watering. One problem in winter is bugs. Do you use insecticides? I don't believe in using (most) chemicals so make up my own concoction for mites..But that's jumping the gun.. I believe you said your citrus are outside now, right? Keep out till temps are about 40F. Before bringing indoors, hose off thoroughly. You can either bring in gradually, to adapt to lower light conditions or all at once, as long as you have a bright window, and heat isn't yet turned on. Because of the change, a few yellow leaves are inevitable, just pluck them off. Anyway, Jerry, like I said, I grow all citrus the same way. The only citrus I've yet to get to fruit is my Orange Navel..I believe it needs longer summers, something we don't have here in IL. I can't keep a Buddha Hand either.. I planned on ordering another this spring, but w/the ban in Fl, the two places I order citrus from cannot ship..Briteleaf and Harriscitrus Their trees are fairly tall, bug-free, and inexpensive..15-20.00 per tree..Well, there's always next yr..hopefully by then the ban will be over. That darn canker has caused so much damage..u know? What is number 5? LOL You don't use Citrus fertilizer? I don't see any problem with it, and most here who grow citrus use some form of time-release citrus food. What type of Osmocote do you use? Does it contain nutrients like iron, mag, etc? Also, isn't Osmocote a form of time-release? I think I'd look into citrus food if I were you..though, Jerry, don't think I'm telling you what to do..okay? This is what I'd do w/my own citrus. I don't knowi if Hoffman has a website, but that's the brand I use..check it out when u have time. I also picked up a box of citrus food at Jamacan Gardens..Price wasn't bad. I'm sure Ebay sells citrus food, too. Are u going to buy the Eureka? Good luck Jerry..Toni

Hi Carmellia, Other than this forum which is one way to find out about a nursery, it's also a good idea going to www.gardenwatchdog.com Have you ever been there? It's a fantastic free service feedback service, lists hundreds of nurseries where ppl leave feedback..I'd go check now..After you get to the site, scroll down, click on 'W' it'll take you to another page with nursery's that start with a W, look for Wayside. I did a brief search, and it doesn't look good..But it's best you read feedback left by others. How long ago did you purchash the citrus? I hope you're one of the lucky ppl who get a decent tree..Do you know if it's grafted? As for the Ebay situation, Carmellia, this happens infrequently..Ppl who know citrus are NOT to be shipped from Fl to other states will NOT buy a tree from the seller. As a matter of fact, that was the first time I've heard this happening. The seller is to blame though, since he/she should have known better. Anyway, check out GWD...Toni

Thanks Kelley! I'm still on the fence about how well my tree is doing but so far it doesn't look like there's any large infestations or obvious diseases. The only explanations would have to be root rot, lots of fungus gnat larvae, or not enough food for the tree. And I'm hoping it's not the root rot! With your mix, it might be due to the fact that each of those materials hold water very well. From all the research I've looked at online, vermiculite and perlite are usually recommended to be chosen for just one or the other in most soil mixes. Or a mix of both to equal 1 part. The only time I've seen a mix include both as separate parts was IVOrganics on YouTube but I didn't stay updated on how the tree fared. If your vermiculite was a larger, coarser type then it might be ok? I've read vermiculite tends to hold water very well due to absorption while perlite just gets wet on its surface. Is your lime also on that same mix? It probably is just the mix's drainage...I think an expert should give you a more informed opinion on your eureka. I've had my first lemon for only a month now. My advice would probably be to not listen to my advice lol