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summerlee340

Lemon Tree - repot?

last month

I have a lemon tree, started from seeds about three years ago. I live on Long Island, and every summer I put it outside. It just put out a bunch of new leaves and has grown very rapidly in the past few weeks. Should I repot it?




Comments (22)

  • last month

    We can’t see the size of the pot in relation to the whole plant, so can not advise.

    I would guess no.

    Have you been feeding it with a citrus fertilizer high in iron?


    summerlee340 thanked David Gray
  • last month

    Dang, I knew I should have photographed the pot. I was using a macro lens - I'll post another photo soon. No I'm not fertilizing it. I planted the seeds for "fun" a few years ago - I don't expect to get lemons but I like growing it.


  • last month

    Here are more shots including the pot.




  • last month

    So, now I also say no, doesn’t need a bigger pot yet.

    And yes, do get some good citrus food (not organic) and begin feeding in the growing season.

    summerlee340 thanked David Gray
  • last month

    If I were to put that plant outside, in such a tiny clay pot, it would be dead within a day, pot size depends on your environmental condtions. My highs average around 90 + and lots of strong sun. Growing it inside is different. If you are growing it outside in NYC area in the summer, it needs a bigger pot.

    summerlee340 thanked 41 North (Zone 7a/b, NE, coastal)
  • last month
    last modified: last month

    My use of 'but' no longer makes sense because a post saying lemons are trees has been removed. My potted Myer lived for years in a pot, gradually increased up to about a foot diameter.

  • last month

    It is not even a SINGLE lemon tree, there are are least 3 in there! Needs a bigger pot.

  • last month

    You’re right I’m getting old. I completely forgot to mention I planted three separate seeds

  • last month

    And I am growing it indoors, but I put it outside for a few hours in the summertime

  • last month

    Floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK, not sure what you mean by “a post saying lemons are trees has been removed”.

  • last month

    I mean just that. There was a post saying lemons are trees that has been removed. I was replying to qualify that statement. Hence my use of the word 'but' which now makes no sense.

  • last month
    last modified: last month

    Aside from the apparent contraversy over pot size, congratulations on a job well done!!! I have only grown two varieties of Citrus from seeds, Sour/Bitter/Seville oranges and Pomelos. For whatever reason, sour orange in my experience was the easiest! Good germination. Pomelo succeeded for me for a while but might have lost it over the winter in my garage, as they are more tender. Currently, am growing..., Blood Oranges, Valencia, Mandarin, Meyers lemon , Lisbon lemon, Sour, Etrog (Citrus medica), Persian limes, Calamondin and kumquats (Fortunella is a genus related to Citrus). Again, great job! P.S., Persian limes are my very favorite Citrus, produce the most frut for me for some reason.

  • last month

    41 N., thank you. Yes quite a controversy restoring to get concerned! Lol. Thank you very much for the compliment. Wow you are a renaissance person all of those different varieties of citrus. That’s just fabulous.

  • last month

    I should’ve checked what I said before I posted it. I was dictating. What I really said is regarding the “pot controversy” I was starting to get concerned.! lol Anyhow, thanks again.

  • last month
    last modified: last month

    Donna, have LOVED Citrus for a LONG time, they NEVER succeeded for me the HOUSE in the NORTH..., so..., I started putting them in the GARAGE, much COLDER than they would prefer I am sure..., but guess what?!..., NO bugs, no scale, mealy bugs, etc. Just need to keep most of them above freezing over the winter. I keep my house way too tropical warm over the winter, Floral in the UK is a hardier soul I am sure, LOL. My biggest issue in my detached garage..., which faces directly south and has windows on the south side..., is to keep up with watering! That is acually a bigger issue for me than the COLD. This past winter was hellacious, I lost no Citrus from COLD, only from negligence in my watering! I do get a LOT of Winter sun, despite the COLD! One reason I specialize in Citrus, is that I have MAJOR deer herds here in NJ. They ate all my hibisus recently, nibbled on my chili pepper, were eating my succulents, etc... They IGNORE Citrus due to the aromatic oils.



    THEY DO NOT EAT THESE EITHER!!!! Opuntia humifusa is native from Cape Cod to Florida, but very prickly! Just planted a new bed of these by the side of the drive way.


    They will not eat Jurassic Park Cycads either, have several of these..., otherwise, they EAT EVERYTHING here!

  • last month

    Wow gorgeous flowers and plant. Great photos too!! I’ll respond more soon.

  • last month

    My single citrus, a Meyer lemon, never lived in the house. It's too dark and we don't have windowsills because it's an old building with sash windows. It spent the winter in a glazed porch/conservatory. Scale was the only issue which I dealt with using baby wipes as advised by an exhibitor at the local flower show. It went outside from April to November.


  • last month

    Floral_uk - good to know about the baby wipes.

  • last month

    41 North (Zone 7a/b, NE, coastal) I did not know deer like hibiscus and definitely did not think they'd eat a pepper. We have not yet landscaped our house - my husband and I are still in the process of renovating. Landscaping will be last and I will be very aware of what deers do not like. We have plenty here on Long Island - they've been in my front yard. Back to lemons - here is a before and after of my lemon trees.


  • last month

    They don't "like" Hibiscus, they "LOVE" Hibiscus, they ate all the leaves off of mine, set blooms back now for a few weeks. They will eat both the tropical and the cold hardy ones..., leaves and flowers. Deer will not eat Citrus.

  • last month

    Dang!