Is my Lemon Tree OK?

Discussion in 'Tropical Gardening' started by buddleia64, Aug 2, 2020.

  1. buddleia64

    buddleia64 Apprentice Gardener

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    I was very lucky to be bought a Lemon Tree about 6 wks ago. It already had a few fruit on as you can see. I planted it in a pot using citrus compost and have fed weekly with citrus feed.
    I am a bit unsure on watering amounts and have been letting it dry out, then watering every few days. I have noticed some leaves are going a bit yellowish and one fell off the other day. I would hate to lose this expensive gift. However, I have noticed a new flower coming so I’m confused as it wouldn’t form new flowers if not happy would it? Advice on knowing when to water and how much needed please.
    I also am worried about winter and whether to wrap in bubble wrap; bring in the house which is central heated and may be too much or wrap and put in unheated greenhouse. It is on a south facing wall at the moment and I am in the north of England. I have seen on YouTube some leave them out and some bring them in. Successful citrus growers please advise.
     

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  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    I think it probably needs to settle into its new pot.
    You do need to be careful with the watering as the root ball will be drying out but the new compost won't until the roots move into it.

    So water with caution, and keep a close eye on it, less is better than too much.
    They don't survive the winter down here outside, but last winter could have been an exception.
     
  3. noisette47

    noisette47 Total Gardener

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    Hi Buddleia64, as the new compost has some fertiliser in it already, you could ease up on the feeding for the next month or so. They are greedy plants once established in a pot, but you can ovrerfeed! As far as watering goes, the golden rule is good drainage. Never leave the pot sitting in a saucer of water.
    In the winter, it'll be much happier in a cool, light spot than a heated house. Even against a sunny wall, under a roof overhang or lean-to, protected from cold wind and just wrapped up during minus temps, especially the pot.
     
  4. buddleia64

    buddleia64 Apprentice Gardener

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    Thanks for the advice. I am still worried as to why leaves are getting yellowy. I feel like a mother with a new baby! It cost my son and his GF such a lot of money.
     
  5. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Well I bought a lemon about 6weeks ago from of all places Morrisons.
    I've only just repotted it as up till now the plant wasn't making new roots.

    Mine is also yellow, I'm pretty sure they are field grown and potted up a few months before they go on sale over here.
    Mine has had some large sized stems cut off of it and new growth is now starting from those areas, an a few flowers.
    I'm thinking once new roots get going the whole plant will green up. 15964527555172252552261285659534.jpg 15964528032461932121823085493755.jpg
     
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    • noisette47

      noisette47 Total Gardener

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      Could be tap water also? Some lemons seem more susceptible to chlorosis than others. I've got a Lidl one that yellows without regular doses of ericaceous feed but the others are fine without.
       
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      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        I have had yellowing on other citrus and at one time I was putting it down to magnesium deficiency, but I've since found that one dose a year of chelated iron greens them up nicely.

        I also find that at the beginning of the growing season it actually takes a few months before they start growing new roots, so take up of feed or otherwise is very slow early in the season, even though the plants are flowering and making some new growth at that time, and they can easily go yellow at that time of the year.
         
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        • buddleia64

          buddleia64 Apprentice Gardener

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          Thanks everyone. How much water are people giving - a) In this warm weather b) when it gets cooler and through winter?
          I water mine every few days and the compost looks very dry inbetween. It`s never soaking wet even soon after heavy rain or the day after watering. I am thinking of when I have seen them growing in the Med in very hot, dry conditions but then they are in the ground and not pots. Am I watering enough?
          Had a good look at it yesterday and it has quite a lot of new flower buds forming all over.

          During winter I think i will wrap well in fleece bag and bubble wrap around the pot and the plant and put in my unheated green house, which hopefully might be a couple of degrees warmer than out side. :snowing:
           
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