Hi, I am new to this forum and came here in search of good advice for my indoor lemon tree. I have many questions, and pictures of my plant, and I apologize in advance for asking some of the more simple ones, I hope you will understand this is my first plant I ever grew and am relying on internet resources mainly. So first I have noticed several centipede-like bugs crawling in the soil. I added a picture, as I am not entirely sure if they are really centipedes. Do I have any reason to be concerned about this? Only one bug in the photo, in the corner that is just dirt. Seems these are the only bugs Ive noticed. My plant has had a few leaves go real yellow. Is this an obvious indication of anything? Some previously healthy leaves are starting to turn. All the turning yellow is occurring near the base of the plant. Several leaves are growing in a weird shape, but otherwise look very healthy. Is that anything to be concerned about? I have only had it for a few months, I bought it from a nursery. But I just witnessed it's first flowering. It grew the flowers all condensed so I tried to prune some off (good idea?) and in the process knocked the petals and such off all the flowers (oops?). Just two flower remain on the plant, out of five. Of the two I'm thinking one could become lemon, highly doubt the other one will but thats part of my question. Just want to know if I should prune both flowers off now, or only one, or neither. I want whats healthiest for the tree. General info on the plants life at my home: Bought it from a nursery, and right away put it in an old ceramic pot which I failed to sterilize (I already realize that was a mistake). Used miracle grow potting soil. Have been trying to water it in big bursts. Wait until it is real thirsty then water it a lot. Sometimes it waits near a week with no water. Otherwise it appears to be a healthy plant, I just want to get these questions answered so I can act on any potential issues early. My plant appreciates any advice you can give.
Welcome to the Forum. I hear more horror stories about that brand than any other. Might look for real potting mix, it should look like this. http://www.gardeningtipsnideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/soilless-potting-mix.jpg
In my experience, never ever prune the flowers of citrus of any kind. The tree knows exactly how many fruits it can support, and it will abort the others, but if you disturb the flowers it will as often as not abort all of them out of sheer grumpiness.
Nothing you've noted is of concern; the tree appears to be healthy. Centipedes do not pose a problem unless in large numbers. Agree with lorax; let nature take its course regarding blooming and fruiting.
Thanks for the replies. Good advice with the flowering, I wont make that mistake twice. Also glad to hear my little concerns are not an issue, and I have a healthy tree. Just gonna add that the yellowing leaves is getting worse rather than better. I just got city water in my house about a week ago, previously i had water pumped from underground. Would switching the water be a likely cause of some yellowing leaves? If so can I expect the tree to get used to the different water over time? Ill also consider using different soil when I eventually upgrade to a bigger pot
The few yellow leaves in the photos were the bottom most and appeared to be old ones in the process of being shed. I wouldn't worry unless it progresses. Try to find out more about the nature of your tap water, perhaps from your local authorities. Citrus prefers a slightly acidic medium.
Thanks, I think you are absolutely right. I just need to relax and trust nature. This morning I looked at my tree and the yellow leaves had turned dark brown and one had fallen. Seems the tree is just doing it's own pruning.
It's normal for a leaf to be shed with its petiole still attached. A fallen leaf without an attached petiole could be a sign of stress.
Good to hear, thanks again. I have two more quick questions. I hope you do not mind, this forum has been very helpful to me. First is when I got the lemon tree from the nursery it already had a lemon on it. As far as I can tell the lemon has not grown any, and from day one the entire branch holding the lemon was bare. Is that normal? Is it possible the lemon has stopped growing because of being transplanted? If that were the case should I just prune that branch off? Finally I am just being picky, but I am trying to grow a perfect lemon tree. Ideally it should grow straight up with one main trunk like a nice tree. (like this: http://www.tree2mydoor.com/productimages/600x600/lemon_tree_gift_1.jpg). I am wondering if there is a specific time or way to prune citrus trees. I think my tree could use a lot of pruning to get it looking better, but I could be wrong because I am new to this. Should I just let nature do its thing again?
I wouldn't prune anything except to remove dead branches or possibly ones that cross and rub against another. From my experience pruning to shape a citrus tree is futile as they tend to grow they way they want to grow. My attempts to produce bushy specimens failed; one or two branches would become dominant after a short time and proceed to grow as a tree again. If a standard is the preferred form then it would probably be best to purchase one already like that. The ones I've seen (from Monrovia) have a scion grafted onto a rootstock with a long trunk.
