Hard to see how a Meyer Lemon tree could have too much sun. As long as it's in the right sized pot in a good soil mix, and fed properly, it should grow well. To guard against any wind gusts, maybe stake it while it's young.

Good advice from Ed; but do NOT stake it. Photos would be a big help.

Can you put it in the ground and Winter protect it against hard frost?

I think in zone 8a I would put it in the ground; meyers are soooo much more docile in the ground.

I have to ask, why did you pick Meyers for growing in a container instead of some other type of Lemon?

I’m not sure it would be wise to put that tree in the ground. I live not too far from you 7b zone in Annapolis also near the bay. If I put my meyers in the groundthey wouid be dead. We had lows of 8 this winter. Your area was probably a bit better, but not by much.

I am growing a Meyers lemon (along with other citrus, mostly Satsumas) in ground on the 8b/9a line in Louisiana, a few months ago we had our coldest night in the last 50-75 years, with the low hitting about 13F / 14F two nights in a row and all my in ground citrus survived, though all had at least some leaf loss and die back, even though they were covered and had 200-250 watts of heat lamps / C7 incandescent christmas lights on each tree. Surprisingly the Meyers was not the worst hit, that honor went to a 3rd year in ground Satsuma which was killed back to within a few inches of the graft union. The Meyers only lost about half its leaves, and had slight dieback (3-6 inches on the smaller limbs), it was also on its 3rd year in ground and is about 5 ft tall.

I agree, the ground is no good for that tree. Garden Zones are determined by low temperatures, that's true, but they don't take into account extended periods of cold. SE Virginia can have periods of real winter, and extended cold. For example, I'm in Z9 here in south Georgia, and so is the Pacific NW, but our growing season is totally different. They have winter, and I do not, although our low temps are almost the same.

Ike, what the heck are you going to do when your trees reach over 5 feet high? or will you keep cutting them back to keep them manageable?

I am glad most made it. It was a horrible winter for most and I hope not to be repeated..I commend those that push their zone limits and those that go out of their way to protect their trees.

Mike

Over here copper sprays are used on limes in commercial orchards in boundary hardiness areas 2 weeks before the coldest weather is expected. Has anyone here used copper treatment for cold protection?

Mike, I am not sure I understand your comment as I have 2 mature Satsuma trees that are over 10-12 ft tall and 15-18 ft wide that I also cover and heat as needed every couple of years, though those will likely be getting a trim to contain there size a bit before next winter.