Why won't my lemon tree bear fruit

8 years ago

I live in NSW Australia and have a garden approximately 2 years old. One of my first plantings was a lemon tree which has flourished in terms of foilage. It did not flower the first year - not sure if that was due to a heatwave which occurred soon after planting. So I was optimistic this winter and waited for the flowers to come - which they didn't until the beginning of September! The flowers turned to tiny fruit but of course it wasn't then cold enough to support the fruit. So why did it flower so late and what can I do to assist. It is otherwise very healthy ....

Featured Answer

calamondindave

8 years ago

Hang in there. When I got my first Meyer lemon tree it didn't set fruit for a while, And I thought I had bought a Lemon (...pun). But with regular care and fertilizer it did finally set fruit when it was ready, and boy does it produce a whole bunch of lemons now.

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Comments (8)

johnmerr
8 years ago
NSW is a good place to grow citrus... a little patience and regular fertilizing will get you good results.
anneh63
Original Author
8 years ago
thanks John I was wondering whether I was over fertilizing actually. I'll keep at it....
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Silica
8 years ago
In Australia September is not late for blooming. September in Australia is what we in the northern hemisphere call spring. It would be the natural time in NSW for citrus to bloom, Next season should be a big time for your tree.
anneh63
Original Author
8 years ago
Oh ok thanks Silica. It seemed that other people's trees were bearing fruit during winter so I thought something was wrong with mine. I'll eagerly await next season then.
Sammers510
8 years ago
Citrus usually bloom and set fruit during spring and harvest in winter. Now many things can throw that off but in your case I assume its because its young and if its a Meyer lemon they seem to bloom and set fruit throughout the year regardless of the season. If its just now spring for you there wait and see what they look like during this coming winter its very common for the tree to set more fruit than it can carry and drop quite a bit of it. It could also go through more bloom flushes so don't be too sad if it didn't hold any fruit with this flush.
anneh63
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you Sammers510 - I will wait with interest! I just noticed a new flush of flowers on some of the lower branches. Most of the previously set fruit has dropped off:(
Tina Danner
8 years ago
U have 2 remember that when u replant something outside (or inside) it takes a while 4 it 2 acclimate 2 where u've planted it. The roots 1st have 2 establish themselves, using the tree's energy there. Once the roots r happy with where they r, u'll c new growth in branches n leaves. Citrus likes acidity. U can mulch it with acidic bark. They like 2 stay moist. (Ground n leaves). N they have 2 have some kind of humidity in drier climates. I've seen many comments saying 2 use 5-1-1 fertilizer, a ratio of 3-1-1 is better 4 ur tree until its established, then 5-1-1. I am in Idaho n have a 10 year old kumquat tree n a 2 year old lemon tree. 4 a taller tree prune the bottom branches off n 4 a fuller tree prune the upper branches.

Good luck.
anneh63 thanked Tina Danner