Let's start with the simple stuff... are you going to plant it in the ground or put it in a container? Where do you live? I see from the tag it is a Meyer; welcome to the family. Citrus Tone is a good fertilizer; a lot of my friends with garden trees use it.

I'm going to plant it in a container near a sunny window. I live in the Midwest. Is there anything I need to do in light of the fact that the climate isn't warm and sunny year round? That's great to hear about the Citrus Tone!

Midwest is a big area. Can you narrow that down a bit?

We live in zone 5 Ohio. It is an indoor plant and is kept in a environment that is around 70 degrees. On sunny days, the plant will get about 7 hours of sun.

Well, because it is a Meyer and sensitive to light changes, don't move it if you don't have to.

Okay. We got it from a greenhouse, and then when we got home we put it by a sunny window.

I love Meyer lemons. Some say they are picky, but I find mine does fine. I live in MD (7a) and mine spends as much time as it can outside until I am forced to bring it in for winter. I would plant it in the 5-1-1 mix (or gritty, but I like 5-1-1 bc it's lighter) and feed it regularly with Foliage Pro. My biggest Meyer is about 6 and over 6' tall! He produces dozens of juicy, delicious lemons. You made a good choice. If you treat it well, it will reward you. If you put it outside till winter (which I recommend), initially put it in filtered shade and transition it to sunlight gradually to avoid sunburn. Post questions and we will help you!

Thank you for the info. This lemon tree (see photo) is from Record Buck Farm. Does that still mean it's a Meyer lemon tree? To transition it to the sun, should I put it outside for about an hour for start, and then slowly go up to two hours, the three etc.......? When should I pick the lemons? Does it reproduce if you put it inside in the winter? Thanks.

I have some trees from Record Buck farms. Mose are rooted cuttings (vs a grafted tree). For our purposes (who keep them in pots) it is fine. It should do well for you. It is a Meyer tree for sure. Put it outside to get morning/evening light and/or filtered shade for about a week, then transition it to the harsher afternoon light. They adapt quickly. I would leave one lemon on the tree for fun. The problem with cuttings and grafted trees that are young is that they think they are grown up and (especially Meyers) tend to want to put all their energy into fruit production and so they forget to grow. You will be better served keeping fewer fruits at first and letting the tree grow up so that it will produce more later. The lemons will turn yellow and then you can pick them. They take a while to ripen, so be patient. When they bloom, you will LOVE the fragrance! The tree is self-fertile, so there is nothing you need to do, even indoors. I'll post a pic of mine for you...I need to find one. I have four Meyer lemon trees, but this is my oldest and biggest - I'm most attached to him. My kids named him Alexander the Great :-)

Those lemons look so good! Thanks for the info. How much should I water it, and can you leave it for a few days without watering it? Is it normal for the leaves to curl down, or is that a sighn of not enough water?

I'm not a big potted citrus person but as johnmerr mentioned above citrus tone is used by his friends on their "garden trees" meaning trees planted in ground. I would not use citrus tone on a potted citrus tree. You need to use dyna gro foliage pro as your fertilizer. Make sure you replant your tree as Laura stated into a gritty or 5-1-1 mix for its best chances of survival.

Evan

Okay. Thanks

With the right mix, you definitely will have more success and will be less likely to overwater. That is the fastest way to kill your tee....especially in winter when it's indoors. Many here use a bamboo skewer, stick it in halfway between the roots and trunk, then if it comes up moist (with specks sticking to it), they do not water. I am not as scientific...just stick my finger in the mix. The leaves should not curl down...you probably need to water.

Yeah, and no citrus tone. Here's a link to FP:.

Dyna-GroFoliage - Pro 32 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004A27DJA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_BPGPxb104X96X

Zoo Med Reptile Bark Fir Bedding, 24 Quarts https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F9AMW6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_BSGPxbW6NNY8X

The main ingredient of the 5-1-1, although others use pine bark fines.

Osmocote 2722501 Outdoor and Indoor Smart-Release Plant Food Jar, 1.25-Pound https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001M5AFKW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_KTGPxbKA14CDD

Then you just need perlite, peat moss and garden lime that you can buy anywhere.

Yes! Definitely keep it outside when possible!

Okay, thanks for the great advice! The person at the green house said that I should use the citrus-tone food. And finally, does the plant repruduce when I bring it inside for winter?

You can use citrus tone in containers; I do sometimes and several recipients of my gift trees use it. Just follow the directions on the label for containers. Having said that, when your citrus tone is gone... or sooner, if you wish, I would switch to the Foliage Pro and the Osmocote plus; they are even better.

Okay. Does I matter what soil I use? Can I use miracle grow? And then a gritty-mix on top?

Nice to hear that some one else lives in OH (Casich Kountry)

6b Steve Cincinnati, Oh

Yes. It matters. You should put it in either the 5-1-1 mix or gritty. If you search on this forum you will find the recipe although the ingredients I listed above are all you need for the 5-1-1.

I can't find the link to the gritty mix. Can I plant it in miracle Grow soil, and then layer gritty mix in top? I looked up "gritty mix" on Amazon, and succulent gritty mix came up, can I use that?

No. You have to mix it. And no, you should not put it in MG potting soil. Take the time you need to put it in the right mix. For the 5-1-1, you will need 5 parts reptibark (link above), 1 part perlite, 1 part peat moss, and about 1 tbsp of garden lime. I also add in a scoop of the oscomote plus (link above). Make a mix from those ingredients in those proportions and put your tree in that. When you plant it, try to gently remove as much of the dirt it was in before. Most of us soak the reptibark before, but in a pinch, you will be ok. I know it seems like a lot, but it's quite easy. Order the reptibark and oscomote and then buy the other stuff anywhere.

Aperently on the label it says I can keep it in the existing pot that I bought it in. I'm not sure if I should. If I plant it in a bigger pot, will the tree grow bigger?

Laura is right about everything, take the time to get the mix right or you are setting yourself up for failure.

I think it could stay in that pot but I find them tippy, I have the exact same tree from the same people. I would plan to repot into something heavier but not much bigger.

Don't leave it in that mix though. My Meyer from the same farm almost died and had major root rot bc I left it in the mix it came in during winter.

Okay. Thanks for all the info.

Mottogear, please forgive/excuse me for adding my two cents: the fuss about the soil is because regular potting soil - even MG, will keep the pot soggy and make it difficult for you to give it enough water. Water needs to run out the bottom of the pot every time you water. Potting soil compacts and chokes your tree roots, keeping them damp. Try the 5-1-1 mix. Also, raise the pot out of the saucer. You can get small bricks to set inside the saucer to keep the pot off the saucer. Make sure the saucer is large enough that you can water freely. Good luck with your lovely tree!

Thanks!