Hello..I doubt the issue of your leaves falling is the roots..They look very well built and even perfect from this vantage point! I would slip it right back into that container and instead wash each and every leaf off...I would treat for spider mites since it looks like it might have some sort of pest issue..Mites can cause leaf drop and leaves that look almost pale and soft, as if the tree is thirsty..That is what I see...

Do you see those tiny white specs on those leaves? I would check underneath and even post some pics here to see if you have pest issues for sure..It's that time of the year almost everyone will get some sort of pest issue if not treated...

I would only water when the pot feels light and I am thinking it dries out pretty rapidly with that many healthy roots in that pot, your protection from over watering until the late spring comes to do a completely right re pot into the 5.1.1 mix..

if you find that it takes time for the mix to dry out even though you have healthy full roots like that to fill that pot, then for sure you have mites preventing the roots from doing their job, bringing up moisture to your leaves..

P.S...You do have an IVY plant close by? Those usually are very susceptible to spider mites..I would treat all those local plants since even the tree to the left seems to be affected too..

Hi Mike;

Thank you very much for your reply.

I did forget to mention that I did spray with all season horticultural oil, as I did see mites (white specks on the undersides of the leaves), about 10 days ago. I have inspected, and don't see any more. I sprayed and inspected all the local plants with horticultural oil at that time.

I was more worried about the roots being too crowded, but if you think that the root system can make it until April or May that is great. I haven't grown citrus before, and wasn't sure how root bound they can get.

I see you are in Massachusetts; do you know of a good vendor for citrus trees? I am looking for small types such as mandarin, satsuma, a small lime, etc. I don't mind having them shipped in the spring. Any recommendations or thoughts on citrus trees would be appreciated. I have a large south facing window to fill, and a patio ready and waiting! And perhaps in a year a greenhouse attached to the side of the patio.

I think I can fit a few citrus trees in to this space! :-)

Wonderful space with bright light. Citrus would be happy there in winter but monitor your humidity as they will struggle below say 45% for weeks on end. You do need to help those roots but I'm not sure if this is a good time to pot up. Let's see what others have to suggest about the roots.

No problem..I have to run and will answer you other questions later but I wanted to add one other thing..Did you spray ALL the surrounding plants and Ivy? Have you sprayed again since the last time, ten days ago?

Mike))

Hi Mike, 2nd round of spraying coming up, I did the trees, ivy and schefflera. I didn't spray the neofinetias and succulents, they look pretty clean. I figure the scheff is the mite magnet, that one has been sprayed twice. I've a magnifying glass and loupe, haven't seen anything moving lately )other than the gnats in the citrus soil, but will look again tomorrow.

Thank you, Dnedd, humidity here is low at 37%. I think I have a small room humidifier I can move near the plants.