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grace_romito

HELP! Repotting Meyer lemon in 5-1-1 for the winter inside

Grace Romito
4 years ago

Decided to start a new discussion but add pictures this time so you all have a better idea of what I’m working with.


Moved it inside about 2-3 weeks ago. Attempted to slowly transition inside. Seeing leaf drop and nutrient deficiencies in leaves. I know this is somewhat expected after moving it in for the winter. However, I know if I don’t change things up, this plant is doomed.


The soil is MG and doesn’t drain properly, cannot have this for the winter!

Also, it bloomed outside and has 2 tiny green lemons. Since the struggle of moving inside, besides the leaf drop, I’m seeing new buds develop. While outside it also grew 2 new stems but I’m thinking they are too low and should be pruned off but I don’t know so I’ve kept them. Should I chop them?


see attached pictures

general questions:


1) Should I bare root it and if so, how do I properly do that?

Always just attempted to get most of the old soil off but always let a good amount remain around roots.


2) should I let the 5-1-1 mix sit for a week or 2 before I use it?


3) heat source for roots? Room temp is generally around 72-76.


4) grow lights?


5) should I remove the new buds to help the plant recover after the repot, which btw I am using the same size but adding better drainage holes.


6) should I keep it in shade for a week or 2 after?


7) general procedure...

when and how often to water with the repot and 5-1-1...

fertilizer... I am going to add oscomolte plus to the mix and have dyno gro foliage pro


8) thoughts on my humidifier and distance to plant


9) should I start to add vinegar to my water as I use tap?


lets start with all of that! Haha, ugh.

Featured Answer
  • Meyermike(Zone 6a Ma.)
    4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Those are god questions and as we know, many will have different opinions or answers. But in this case, I will tell you what I would do with mine after successfully growing them for over 25 years and being here for over 15..


    1) Should I bare root it and if so, how do I properly do that?

    I would not bare root it since it's already stressed and not the best time of the year to do that. I would try and shake most of the mix out without root interference and use a mix similar until you can do a bareroot sometime late next spring. Use a fresh mix with good drainage, not M.G unless u add a lot more perlite to it and only use that mix for less than a year. The 5.1.1 is ok but remove as much as the old soil you can without root disturbance.


    2) should I let the 5-1-1 mix sit for a week or 2 before I use it?

    I usually do, so that the bark holds moisture better


    3) heat source for roots? Room temp is generally around 72-76.

    I would not use a heat source I never have to not at those temps.
    4) grow lights?

    I would if I felt that my trees would get less than 8 to 12 hours of sunlight in any window.


    5) should I remove the new buds to help the plant recover after the repot, which btw I am using the same size but adding better drainage holes.

    I would.
    6) should I keep it in shade for a week or 2 after?

    Inside, I would not. At this ime of the year even outside for me the sun is not intense at all. The more sunlight the faster the recovery. You need to let us know your growing Zone and where your location is to get a better answer is most of this.
    7) general procedure...

    when and how often to water with the repot and 5-1-1...

    My trees dry out differently than everyone else's. So that would depend on location for you, how filled out the pots are, the size of them and how much sunlight. General rule for me is to lift the pot, use my finger deeply into the root zone, and if I can't reach into the root zone, I use wooden dowels.

    fertilizer... I am going to add oscomolte plus to the mix and have dyno gro foliage pro

    Depending on where you live again, I am not sure of this. For me I would not add anything at this time. i would how ever fertilize lightly if I wa sproviding lots of sunlight, artificial light, or a greenhouse environment.
    8) thoughts on my humidifier and distance to plant

    I never need one, although they like them as we do.
    9) should I start to add vinegar to my water as I use tap?

    I'd make sure of the water pH fist. Mines is so high that I have to use it. So check with your water supplier before hand, since you may not have to use it.
    lets start with all of that! Haha, ugh.

    Hope that helps))

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