Yes, this is a good time to root prune your citrus. Keep up with the scale insects; you may see some more activity on new growth.

How did you get them under control, may I ask? We like to hear success stories around here.

Great, I think I will attempt the root pruning asap but probably can't until next week. I've read threads about it and have only done to on a jasmine before. I think I'm supposed to cut 1/3 off the bottom and a little off the sides with a sharp knife, correct? And then remove all the old soil with the hose. Then I mound a little fresh mix in the pot, and repot as usual. If there is anything I am missing?

As for the scale, I had never dealt with them before. I didn't even know what they looked like. There were probably a dozen of the mottled brown scale, and loads of tiny light rust ones. I was wondering why my plant wasn't looking so hot! I chalked it up to winter indoors, and right after I brought the plant out, I noticed them. Hundreds. I put soapy water on a paper towel, and rubbed the branches, and along the center vein. That took most off them off, and I have been seeking and destroying every day or two. Sometimes with the soapy towel, often with my fingernails. The ants are helping me by their "farming", since they are leading me right to scale. It's time consuming, but it's working.

Sounds about right to me. Be sure to use a SHARP knife. You want clean cuts, not a mangled mash of roots. I don't usually rinse the roots unless it's a new plant with an entirely different kind of potting mix than what I use. If I'm transplanting FROM my mix TO my mix, all I do is shake the roots a bit, perhaps poke and prod some if I need to. I use some cheapo chop sticks to help with the replanting. Both ends are useful in helping to gently pack the soil in around the sides. Water thoroughly when you're done, it will probably settle the mix so that you can add more.

The adult scale insects are the ones that are so visible. It's the eggs and nymphs they leave behind that cause future problems for us. Keep an eye out for them; don't let your guard down. I use either Neem or horticultural oil when I spot scale on plants on the landscape. I don't have scale inside because I don't give my house plants a summer vacation!

Those darned ants love the honeydew that scale produce.

Keep up the good work!

Thank you for your help. I treated the tree with neem yesterday, and I'll continue to look for scale. I'm looking forward to repotting it this week when I have time, and I hope the roots aren't too much of a coiled mess. I am going to plant in gritty mix, transferring from the nursery mix the tree is planted in now. I am not looking forward to getting all of the old mix from the roots as it's a good-sized plant, but I am up for the challenge.

Remember, after re-potting place your Meyer in a sheltered, semi-shaded location for about a week's time.
This allows the tree to recuperate, minimizing leaf-loss. Cool soils are conducive to root-growth, as well.

Josh

Yes..Neem seems to work well.

Since the fact that plants stop taking up water once shocked through a transplant which puts undue stress on the roots, Josh is so right! If you want the sun to dehydrate your leaves and cause certain death, I would follow his advice..

Please, listen to him, because he has saved me a many plant from this advice..::-)

Mike..:-)

If you DO NOT want your plants to dehydrate, follow Josh's advice!!

Sheesh!! Brain farts all WEEK!!!!!:-(

I did it! The roots weren't as bad as I thought, not too compacted and I was able to get almost all of the old soil shaken off. I did root prune a bit, since I want to keep it in the same pot for a long, long time. I planted it in Al's gritty mix. Luckily, it is cool and cloudy for the next few days so hopefully the tree won't freak out too much. It has tons of flower buds which I really want to bloom.

How long should I wait after this shock to give it some foliage pro?

Thank you!

The FP can be fed right away at week doses without any harm.

The tree may not use it for now, that is all, until it is ready.

Planted in the mix you use, this is the advantage..It will just go past the roots and out the bottom if not utilized by your plant and it will not build up in the mix.

Great job! Can you post a pic?

Mike...

I transplanted a Dwarf Washington Navel Orange several weeks ago and put it back in the sun after a few days. Mistake! I will survive but took a beating. This was prior to spending time on this forum.
t98