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phalnellie

Winterizing problem for Meyer Lemon and Calamondin trees

18 years ago

I have a Meyer (no fruit/bloom) and a calamondin (loaded with fruit and blooms) and I'm wondering about winterizing and lighting. Somebody help please because I would love to see what the calamondin oranges taste are like. I'm not even sure if my Meyer will make it; it has a couple of yellow leaves on it and sparse. I think the pot is too big for it despite the fact that I repotted both of them at the same time. The calamondin just took off! It's luscious and loaded with fruit. Can someone help me with these issues, please.

Comments (3)

  • 18 years ago

    Howdy Nellie. Since you're in Tn, your Meyer and Cal will have to come indoors during winter.
    Calamondin are bitter tasting. The fruit is mainly used to make jelly/marmalade.

    Are your citrus outdoors now? If so, keep them outside until temps are in the 50's. Some people leave out till temps dip to 40F, but IMO, that's a tad too cold for a citrus to adjust, especially after bringing in a warm/hot house. It's a shock to plants, more chance of leaf drop.

    Place citrus in the brightest south or west window. Keep away from a heating source, like vent.
    Keep soil on the dry side during gray days..In other words, water thoroughly, but don't water again until soil is dry.
    If your Meyer is in too large a pot, and you didn't use well-draining soil, this 'may' cause problems, including root rot. How much larger is the new pot from the old?
    If you used a well-draining soil, there's less chance of overwatering.
    Once the air in your home turns dry, invest in a humidifer. Daily mistings and weekly showering (in tub or sink) works magic.
    Withhold fertilizert until days lenghten or you see new growth.
    That's about it.

    There are many reason leaves yellow..over and underwatering, insects, and deficiency are a few.

    Whenever a new plant is purchased, it should be inspected for insects, so give it a look-see. Over and under leaves, between stems, in soil.
    Do you know what to look for?

    BTW, remove yellow leaves. Good luck, Toni

  • 18 years ago

    Winterizing includes water , fertilizer and light needs besides just temperature factors .
    For in ground citrus trees here in Florida , we do not fertilize at all between the months of October to Mar - give or take a few weeks .

    Problems associated with over-fertilization can be avoided by applying controlled-release fertilizers, commonly used for potted citrus and other woody ornamental plants, and need be applied only once or twice a year.

    Let the Myers lemon rest . It may take months for it to recover . By Spring it should be showing new growth . Even under ideal conditions , Myers trees planted in ground take years and years to grow .

  • 18 years ago

    Thanks...appreciated the information.