No, don't cut it, because they are not single trunk "trees". They are a sprawling shrub. These trees like a lot of feeding. If you have not fed it in a while, it probably isn't too late. Keep it in good light (probably not full sun, mine is in part shade here, and since it is still summer, keep it moist, not wet. The lemons should be different sizes, the ones here ripen from late Dec. to early Feb. If you've lost many of the leaves, this also will make for small lemons.

How tall is it? It may need to be repotted. I have a Meyer lemon in my yard, and it's sprawling like that. The lemons will be ripe in December, like Dzit says, so they aren't mature yet. They can take full sun (all of my citrus are in full sun), and if you can plant it in the ground it will do much better. But don't plant it while it has fruit on it, wait until they're ripened and gone.

The tree is about 3 1/2 ft. tall from the ground up.It's pretty much in full sun. I do have an area in a raised planter that is 10 x 5 ft. Do you think that's a good idea to transplant it there after the fruit has ripened? I just planted lavender trumpet vine at the back of the planter up against a chain link fence.
Appreciate your comments. .

is it a dwarf meyer lemon?

mine was grafted as a single trunk (16"tall) tree.

feed it regularly, they are heavy feeders. i feed regular MG at half strength every month from Mar-Oct.

mine is in full, all day sun, as is all my other citrus trees. they love sun, but dont let them get too dry. BUT they dont like wet feet either, so you need good drainage. a raised bed will help if you have thick clay.

if you are adamant about having a single trunk you can prune in the fall. cutting 2 of the 3 main branches is considered severe pruning. so it is best to pick all the fruit off first.

good luck

also, we have a "Citrus Forum" you may wish to visit

It is a dwarf lemon, but not sure if a Meyer. I'll be more regular on feeding, what is MG? Thanks

kreyn, I suggest that you visit the Citrus Forum, right here in the GardenWeb. LOTS of members there who successfully grow containerized citrus of all kinds and who will be very helpful to you.

You'd get a lot more good information about your plant and any potential for pruning if you'd post some images, by the way. There is no ONE way to prune your young plant. "Should" only comes into play if limbs are broken, diseased, emerging from below the graft, or other problems. Of course, if you simply don't like the appearance of a multi-branched tree, then it's OK to shape it to a standard.

Since you're growing your plant in a container, you should probably consider one of the many products on the market that will provide your citrus with the micronutrients required by these plants. MG, which is Miracle-Gro, don't make a citrus formulation, I don't think. (I might be wrong on that.)

"Dwarf Lemons", by the way, are usually Meyer. But a picture is important for identification purposes.

Thank you rhizo for all the good input. I'm new to this site and really pleased to find so much valuable information from everyone. Makes me want to get out and do more gardening every chance I get.

Citrus trees are dwarfed by being grafted. Any citrus on a graft is dwarfed. Grafted citrus don't get nearly as large as they would if not grafted.

and if the citrus forum fails for some reason.. you might try the fruit forum ....

either of those forums.. have experts.. who really dont think of the plant.. as a tree .. they do things us tree peeps usually dont do.. because the plant is a production plant ... e.g. i am of the opinion that a tree just about never needs fertilizer .. except if potted.. and then i would tell you that trees dont grow in pots ... etc... but then to produce all that fruit.. it needs fert ...

ken

Kreyn, you'll find that enthusiasm goes a long way in obtaining responses in the Gardenweb. And don't forget that the more information we can get from you, the better able we are to truly help you.

Don't hesitate to let me or any of us know if we can help. This is one of the most constructive forums on the gardenweb. The disagreements over various issues invariably end with everyone learning something and no ill feelings. It's a wonderful thing!