Software
Houzz Logo Print
jcap8991

45 Gallon Meyer Lemon - Newly Planted Questions

9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago

Hi, so we just finished a back yard
renovation/pool install. At the back of our property we purchased and had
planted a 45 gallon Meyer Lemon tree. We purchased this tree from a reputable
local nursery who said these trees are pretty easy to take care of and grow
well in our area.

Our tree was planted on 5/13 by our
landscapers, it has been getting water every day for roughly 6-8 minutes on a
“bubbler” line. It gets full sun from roughly 11am-6/7pm. I am located in South
Florida where the temps have been in the high 80s.

I am very new to this so any help or
input would be greatly appreciated!!
I
was wondering the following (pictures of tree below):

1. Is it normal for a
“mature” tree to be so clustered like ours in the center? We tried to fix some
crossing branches in that area but it is a little messy still. Plus some of
these crossed branches have fruit on them so I was worried to move them or
remove them. Some lemons are hanging less than a foot from the ground in a few
locations.

2. I read that I should not be fertilizing for the first 2-3 weeks
after planting. Is this correct? I just passed our two week point so I was
going to fertilize this week.

3. I read that the branches going straight up
should be clipped since they are not “fruit producing” but we like the height
it adds giving the tree a larger appearance. Can we leave it as is?

4. This
morning I noticed in the back side of the tree some leaves are starting to
yellow and drop. Is this from a nutrient deficiency or do we have some type of
pest?

5. When we got the tree there were a ton of golf ball sized fruits in
huge clusters. We took off some of the fruits to make them less overbearing,
but was that a mistake at this size? This was something else I had read this
online.

Thanks again! *If there is
something I completely missed or should or should not be doing I will take any
tips!

Comments (11)

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Additional Pictures:


  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Your tree looks great. You should expect significant leaf drop caused by transplant shock and a change in light conditions. Don't stress... it will replace those leaves with new leaves better suited to the new light conditions. Do not fertilize until you see the start of new growth; then fertilize with a good citrus fertilizer applied at the drip line and watered in well. Pruning: we prune out anything crossing the center; anything growing in a downward direction; and anything touching the ground. Don't worry about pruning off a few fruits; in time you will have more than you can use.

    I would give it a good Imidacloprid soil drench, if you have not already; and at the same time a drench of systemic fungicide. If you repeat those applications 2-3 times per year, that should be almost all of the preventative chems you need.

  • 9 years ago

    Listen to John. He is the real Meyer lemon guru!

  • 9 years ago

    Great tree! Good luck with it. I agree with Vladimir...listen to John and George!

  • 9 years ago

    That's a beautiful tree! So many lemons! I also wouldn't trim the tree yet, as long as the lemons are not touching the ground. They tend to have more of a bushy growth habit, and since you just transplanted it you don't want to mess with it anymore.

    I just can't get over how beautiful and big that tree is! What a great purchase!

  • 9 years ago

    Thank you all so much for the feedback!!

    So today I will go to the store to get the Imidacloprid soil drench and the fungicide (had no idea I needed these). Also neem oil for the leaves which seems to be mentioned a lot to keep pests away. Is it okay to apply all three of these on the same day?

    I will fertilize once we see some new growth. This was the fertilizer sold to us (supposed to be specifically formulated for South Florida?): http://www.flnurserymart.com/products/fertilizers/fertilizer-citrus-and-fruit-trees/

    I checked again this morning and the tree definitely has a bunch of very small spiders on it. I thought this was just from the environment (we have tons of spiders down here) but read it may be spider mites? Maybe I am just over complicating things, but it seems that a lot of the leaves are getting these black bumps all over the back side and you can almost see through the leaves when the sun is hitting it. Hopefully those three treatments will clear up whatever this is, if it is not normal after transplanting. Again thanks for the feedback!!!




  • 9 years ago

    At the same time you do the soil drench, I would spray the whole tree with the same two chemicals (they should be tank mixable, so only one application): both the imidacloprid and the fungicide are topically active (kills what is there now) and systemically active (prevents future problems). I wouldn't spray neem oil now; it is probably too hot and it will burn your leaves. Horticultural oils are best for control of scale. Spider mites are a problem; they are very tiny and leave little web-like signs; they are easiest controlled by washing your tree with the hose (something you should do about once a week). Ordinary garden spiders are good; because they attract wasps which are always beneficial; and because their webs catch a lot of other insects. Besides controlling a number of diseases including scale, wasps sting the spiders to paralyze them; then they put one in with each of their eggs, so when the baby wasp hatches it has something to eat.

  • 9 years ago

    Thanks again for your help! Appreciate it!

    Final question (hopefully), are these two products okay as far as fungicide and imidacloprid?

    Fungicide: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Southern-Ag-1-Pt-Liquid-Copper-Fungicide-100048940/100599149

    Imidacloprid: https://www.lowes.com/pd/BAYER-ADVANCED-Fruit-Citrus-Vegetable-32-fl-oz-Garden-Insect-Killer/3170999 

  • 9 years ago

    The Bayer Advanced is as good as you can get for home use. The fungicide is good; but appears to be topical only and not systemic. Bayer has a product called Silvacur, if you can find it or just ask your local nurseryman for a good systemic fungicide. In S. Florida with its high humidity fungus control is very important.

  • 9 years ago

    Wonderful! Thank you for your help!!