This whole question may seem stupid to you guys but I need help. My Grandson was given a 5 gal (Monrovia) Meyer Improved Lemon. This poor kid is doomed to failure. His cat died (birth defect), as did his dog (old) and his bird (old). I'm afraid if this lemon tree goes........ So, We live in Anacortes, WA, 2 blocks from the water, facing Guemes Island to the North. Sunset says we're in zone 5, surrounded by zone 4. This is not exactly a citrus growing area. We get prevaling, coldish winds from the WSW all year but especially in winter. Do we dare leave this lemon out all winter? If not when do we bring it in and to where, the unheated, dark garage or the warm, light house? I even went on the Citrus Forum but they seem to live in citrus friendly areas, or didn't mention winter care methods. Heeellllppp! I don't want to kill this plant. Barb
You need a plastic tent with provision for artificial heating during Arctic spells or a similar intermediate area to bring this through "outdoors". Kept over as a house plant it should have been brought in last month, when outdoor and indoor temperatures were more similar. If unable to provide suitable environment anywhere else then will have to drag in now and keep in the house, the cooler and brighter the spot the better. Put in a warmer-than-outside transition area first for bugs etc. to evacuate before setting in final place inside. Otherwise you may have an assortment of small but unwanted guests appearing in your rooms.
When you bring the Meyer Lemon indoors to a warm house at this time of year, it is VERY IMPORTANT that the tree's root zone and potting soil is at a temperature of 64F or higher. 70F would be a very safe temperature. Citrus roots cannot, and do not function at temperatures at or below 55.4F. When the tree is brought into the house the foliage will quickly rise to the inside temperature and begin to transpire. This will cause the foliage to call for water, but a cold root system will not be able to respond, and the tree will drop it's leaves (Winter Leaf Drop - WLD). Therefore, be sure you elevate the root zone to an adequate temperature first. You can do this with Christmas lights, heating mat, or letting the tree soak in harm water for 10-15 minutes. If the tree is placed in a south window, where it receives direct sunlight, the potting medium MUST be kept at a temperature of 64F or higher, otherwise it can cause WLD. If you cannot keep the soil warm enough, then keep the tree out of direct sun light. The tree can also be kept in a cool area out of direct light (like a basement or garage) as long as the temperatures do not freeze). Water ONLY when the top couple of inches of growth medium feels dry. There are many other areas of care required, but EVERYTHING your grandson needs to know has been written throughout the postings of this forum. Have him read, read, read, and read some more. He will find all the knowledge required on this forum. As far as containerized citrus trees goes, Meyer Lemons are not the easiest variety to began with. If perchance the tree does not make it, buy him another citrus (mandarin, satsuma) and keep at it. Success comes with knowledge and experience. Any questions just ask. - Millet
Those small bushy citrus plants (kumquats?) sold with fruits all over them by floral departments and flower shops might be making an appearance soon as it seems like they are a winter holiday item. If not, you could still pick one up later when they are in season. If you end up doing this, keep it in the house throughout the year instead of subjecting it to repeated changes from indoors to outdoors and then back again. I have seen these fruiting after what was clearly some time in the dusty storefront window of a small shop, so they can't be too tough to manage as as regular house plants.
Thanks to both Ron & Millet for the info. Hopefully we'll keep the Meyer Lemon going. Ron you mentioned a class in Mt Vernon either Extension or Master Gardener (can't remember) in one of your posts or answers. Do you ever get up to the WSU Extension expermental garden on Memorial Hiway, also the Master Gardener 'Discovery Garden' garden on the same site? We have a large plant sale the first part of May every year. The specialty is tomatoes, lots of them!
What a saw there was a plastic tunnel for overwintering subtropical fruits being demonstrated one year. I've also been to the demo garden.
I really admire all the people that put in hours of work at the garden. They do some neat things depending on time, people and money of course. barb
Barbara, your grandsons lemon tree will do fine outside IF the it is planted in a protected spot up against your house in the ground and in the sunniest spot possible. I have seen a 10 foot Meyer lemon growing in a garden in Victoria - loaded with lemons. Winter protection is essential if you want to over winter the fruit. Expect about a year (or more) for the fruit to mature - from flowering to eating. One of my Meyer lemons is about a 3 feet tall bush now and was planted in the ground in May of 2006 as a small 1 gallon plant. Last year I has my large Christmas lights on for about 25 nights and 9 days. Your tree is likely grafted on a trifoliate X rootstock. The acidic citrus (lemon limes sudachi etc) will do better in our (your) climate as they do not require as much heat to ripen. I have 1 croxton grapefruit, 3 meyer lemons, 1 owari satsuma, 2 Juanita tangerines, 2 Nippon orangequats, 1 dunstan citrumelo, 1 Changsha mandarin and a Morton citrange all growing outside and planted in the ground. I have not had to cover anything yet.... Greg
