I have recently { 2 wks. ago} received my first baby Meyer Lemon Tree in the mail.It's 7 in. tall with 12 healthy green leaves. I have procrastinated putting it in a pot, worrying about the pot size. I would appreciate some advise from some of you "Fruit Tree Veterans" out there! Also, can I use the soil I recently purchased from the nursery for potting plants...or do I need special soil for starting it out? I'm very excited and a little bit worried about having it as I don't have much experience. Anybody responding with advice....thank-you very much!!! Lynette Prosser
If you have purchased a 7 inch Meyer Lemon tree, then your tree is surely a rooted cutting. What size container is the tree presently in? Have you removed the tree from it present container to determine if the tree is ready to be transplanted into a larger container? Regular potting soil (which is mostly peat moss) is not a good medium for a citrus tree. A mix of small bark chips, or CHC (coconut husk chips), blended with peat moss would give the required rapid drainage required by a citrus tree. Millet (1,307-) Complete totally unrestricted freedom of speech is essential.
Millet------ Thanks for responding. Yesit is a rooted cutting. The container it came in is about 4 in. tall and 2 wide. I pulled it because I was worried about the roots. The nearest I could come locally to the CHC was some shavings and the nursery said it was not the same, looked at your response, looked at my soil and said I would probably be okay....and that I would have to find somewhere to special order the CHC.It is now in an 8 in.tall by 12 in.wide pot. I'm taking it out in the a.m. and in at p.m. as we are high desert and it still gets into high thirties p.m. This young how warm does it need to be in p.m. to leave it out ? Any pointers for the care of it are greatly appreciated. THANKS! Lynette
Meyer lemon are quite hardy. Temperatures in the mid to upper 30's should not hurt the tree, but to be on the safe side since the tree has not been climate adjusted, it would be prudent to bring it in if you expect a low temperatures. Going from a 2 inch container, to a 12 inch container is a big leap. I would put the tree in a smaller container (6 inch wide). When you water such a large container (for this tree), the only way the moisture is taken from the medium is by the tree's root system. Therefore, since the tree's root system is only 2 inches wide, the remaining 8 inches will remain wet for extended periods of time, and will also collect soluble sales every time you water and fertilize the tree. These soluble salts will not be used up by the tree's root so will build up and up. Fertilize the tree a minimum of once a month, twice a month would be better. Water the tree well, then don't water again until the inch or two feels semi dry. Try to find a fertilizer with a ratio of 5-1-3 with trace minerals. If all else fails you should be able to find a 30-10-10 W/trace mineral most anywhere. Whatever, you use BE SURE it contains trace miners. The best to you and your tree. - Millet (1,304-)
Millet- Thanks for your reply and explanations to help educate me a little bit. I copied and filed it for use and reference in the future ! Lynette
