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donnaroe

Help with Meyer Lemon problem

13 years ago

I am hoping to get some input on what is wrong with my 4 meyer lemon trees. I moved them inside in October, and they have continually been dropping leaves like crazy. All the while, they are blooming. At first I thought they were too wet, and backed off on the water. Then they really started dropping leaves. The soil looks dark and wet, so I am really confused. Many blossoms are drying up and dropping on the floor. I sweep daily around the plants, between the old blossoms and the leaves. I just went and looked and they have some really tiny insects on the new blossoms that haven't opened yet. These plants were repotted this spring, and were fed with some water soluable fertilizer this summer when they were outside. but have not been fed in a while. I cannot find citrus fertilizer anywhere locally, but I do have some fish emulsion. How can I determine how to water them properly? I also should mention that they are in an east facing room with windows that give some light, and I suspect that the light situation could be alot better. If anyone can recommend where to purchase citrus fertilizer, and what kind, I would appreciate it.

Comments (3)

  • 13 years ago

    Undoubtedly, you have made the classic error of abruptly changing the light conditions. Meyers are very sensitive to significant light changes, and will drop most or all of its leaves to replace them with new leaves better suited to the new light. The blooms are in response to the stress of the tree... (it thinks it is dying) to produce seeds; lots of plants will do that. On what planet do you live that you cannot get citrus fertilizer, even by internet? Leave the blooms, but if they set fruit, BB size, then take off all the fruit, treat them properly, and your trees will recover. In Spring move them from inside to full shade; after 2 weeks move to part shade; and 2 weeks more to full sun. Reverse this in the Fall and you should avoid the heartbreaking leaf drop that Meyer container growers suffer too often

  • 13 years ago

    Thank you, johnmerr. Perhaps a better to have worded my question would have been, what brand of citrus fertilizer is best, and where do the readers here order it from? Usually, forum readers know who has the best price & shipping charges.

  • 13 years ago

    I don't grow citrus in pots, so I haven't had to troubleshoot an associated problem. That said, since your post is about to fall off the top rung, I figured it makes sense to offer my 2 cents.

    It's almost always more than just one thing that isn't right when problems start happening. Frankly, it's hard to say for certain what is happening without knowing the size of the pots, makeup of the soil, etc. The best citrus resource around is Four Winds Growers. They put their money where their mouth is because their retail sales and risk of potential returns depend on it. I've followed their advice for the most part with my in ground citrus.

    The answer I offer to you is to align yourself with the Four Winds Growers recommendations:
    Growing Citrus in Containers. As for fertilizer, I recommend the Miracle-Gro Azalea-Camellia-Rhododendron Food (previously known as Miracid).

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