Oh, someone save my Meyer Lemon!

20 years ago

I hope I'm not being repititive - I'm new to this forum, and while I did a search and found there are a bunch of Meyer Lemon tree problems out there, I can't find exactly the answer I need.

I bought my young tree about a month ago and planted into a large container with good drainage holes in a position that catches the afternoon sun. I used regular potting mix (which I gather from reading other posts is not good). It immediately ceased thriving. The leaves have gone yellow from the veins outwards, and are falling at an alarming rate. The leaves at the top of the tree are healthier than those lower down.

I watered it according to the instructions - for the first two days after repotting, then twice weekly in the first week, then once a week thereafter. (I wait for the first couple of inches to dry out before I water again.)

I used a complete plant-food style fertiliser when i planted it, and again a week or two later. I gather also that I should regret this.

It is autumn, or fall, here in Melbourne, though it is unseasonably warm at the moment. We expect coldish winters here, although it doesn't snow or even frost very much.

Someone told me that you should urinate on it (to increase the nitrogen), so my obliging husband gives it the odd sprinkle!

If I do need to repot it, should I do it now, or wait till spring?

Many thanks for any advice - I am a novice but keen gardener and want to save my lovely tree.

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Comments (6)

birdsnblooms
20 years ago
Freckle, for one, STOP your husband from urinating in your plant soil..I'd die too if someone was sprinkling me w/PEE. LOL.

If you used regular soil it may be too heavy..You needed to add peat, Sand, and Perlite..too heavy a soil will kill it.

Another thing..there is no need to feed after you repot. I think you overdid it with the fertilizer. After repotting, the soil usually has enough nutrients to take care of the plant. What type of fertilizer did you use..I hope it's not what I'm thinking..LOL..

What size was the pot it came in and what size is the new pot? You do not want too large a pot plus heavy soil. If this is the case, this is the reason it's losing leaves..

If the pot is too large, I'd go back and place in its original pot or one size up.

In any case, I'd leech the soil. The urine was not a good idea at all. Allow water to run though the soil..I'd do this a few times..Stop feeding your plant now that winter's coming..or decrease at least by 1/2.

So, either repot to a smaller size, leech soil, stop feeding, Mist leaves or use a humidifer if you turn heat on in winter, change soil to one that's well-draining, do not pee in plant, (S.) I hope your plant makes it, FReckle, but it sounds like it's been through a lot..Toni
freckleface
Original Author
20 years ago
Gracious, I seem to have done everything wrong! All extra-toiletry activities will end at once!

Thanks for all that valuable advice Hopeful. I imagine my pot is too big. It doens't look too big, but it is about three times the size of the container I bought it in. I will go the repotting route and I'll mix the potting soil.

By the way, what does "leech" mean - does it mean give it a heavy water and let the water run through?

Thanks again for the advice.
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rickjames
20 years ago
I believe one problem with urine is that it can have a few too many dissolved salts in it that are bad for your tree confined to a container--like sodium. Leaching the soil [ a leech is a worm and I certainly hope you don't need one of those ;)] is just flushing it out with plain water (rain is best if you can collect) to rinse out these salts. One would water it really thoroughly so that water flows out the bottom of the container--I turn a hose on low and let it run in the container for like 20 minutes or so. Really "wash" that soil, but you may not need to if you are going to re-pot it anyway.

I would in general agree with the sound advice Toni gave you. You may have a drainage issue, and there is a lot to read here on GW. I will direct you to another very informative thread.

HTH

Here is a link that might be useful: Container soils and water in containers
birdsnblooms
20 years ago
Rick, thanks for the spelling correction..I'm sure Freckle doesn't need a worm..LOL..
Yes, Freckle should 'leach' the soil and good. Or repot w/fresh soil.
And go down a size in pots. 3 sizes is too large..Toni
freckleface
Original Author
20 years ago
I will repot, but just out of interest and for future reference: will leaching also dilute and/or eradicate the (over-abundance of) fertilizer?

Once again, many thanks for the advice. This forum is amazing for a beginner - so many experienced minds willing to help!
birdsnblooms
20 years ago
Freckle, yes it will..Leaching the soil,(allowing water to run through soil) will help rid salts, and also a great pick-me-up for your tree. Also, spraying leaves in sink, shower, hose perks it up.

I know what you mean..I too love GW and hope it's here forever..I've leard a lot, given advice, and chatted w/some wonderful ppl..Toni