Hi all,

I live in Phoenix (zone 9b) and have been trying to grow a dwarf Meyer lemon in a container outdoors. I brought it home last April. Put it in the wrong pot with the wrong soil, many rookie mistakes. Needless to say, it is now in a cooler pot and a 5-2-1 mix. It really is a pathetic looking tree, but I don't want to give up on it. It's happier now with the new pot and mix, though it hasn't had opportunity to replenish is lost canopy since it's been wintering outside. Spring is starting to warm up in Phoenix and I'm trying to prepare the tree for the upcoming summer onslaught. I'm planning to paint the trunk to provide a bit more protection this time around. But I'm wondering about the branches. Usually those are given some sun protection by the canopy. Since this tree really has no canopy, it has no protection. I'd like to think I'll see loads of new growth in the spring...but I don't want to scorch the limbs while waiting for the leaves to grow. I thought about painting the branches along with the trunk, but I didn't know if that would stunt any desired leaf growth. It's also dotted with baby flower buds all over (hard to see in this picture) and I don't want to ruin those by painting, either.

Any recommendations? Note, it's pictured indoors here because we are expecting some freak cold weather for the next few days, though I usually keep it outdoors.