Lemon tree not happy!

frankiejpmiller · May 2020

Hi all, first of all I know its probably not ideal trying a lemon tree in Glasgow, but hoping for advice!

Have tried it indoor and also outside in the recent good weather but it's never been happy

I've had it for a year and got one small, bobbly lemon!!

Is it possible to tell from these pics what it needs?

What's the general rules re location, watering and feeding?
Thank you

amancalledgeorge · May 2020

Hi @frankiejpmiller did you repot the tree after purchase? It looks like a really small pot for it. And have you been feeding it? Citrus trees are very hungry plants. Wonder if any other Scottish members of the forum can illuminate us about growing them there. I have a Mayer's Lemon and a Thai Lime which are kept in a summerhouse. Can be a little bit particular at times.

frankiejpmiller · May 2020

Ah so maybe the pot that's the issue??what is the best kind of feed?

Thank you for replyong

Nanny Beach · May 2020

Yes, the pot looks small, we have 4, variety unknown, specific citrus compost, and feed, there is a summer and winter one, rain water, if they are kept anywhere fairy warm,you need to spray them (the leaves) ideally again rain water, if they go below 10c they tend to loose their leaves.We live in the SE UK near the South Downs, March this year, when its warm, they come out of the greenhouse in the day, they stayed out a few nights, now back in. During the summer they are outside. Once a week, they get a really good soaking, watered in a bucket. If there is a frost due, they are covered in bubble wrap, there is a tiny tubular heater in there, the greenhouse in also bubble wrapped. Last year in the Beast from the East, it went to -12c at night, unheard of here, they were in a much smaller,warmer greenhouse,one lost its leaves.They need as much sun as possible, then if we get a summer like 2018, it can a year to get a full size lemon. In the conservatory, they tend to get spider mite, and scale insect.

Fairygirl · May 2020

I think @BobTheGardener grows them. He replied to someone recently about lemons
I can't remember which thread though.
It's not something I've ever bothered growing, but the biggest problem up here is the differences in temperature between day and night, and especially the length of time temps are low, compared to the south. You have to be much more careful with all sorts of plants because of that.

I'll see if I can find that thread and do a link.

BobTheGardener · May 2020

I have now given up growing citrus @Fairygirl as I think my conservatory indeed gets too wide a temperature variation. I've decided that they are far too fussy and even though I kept some going for several years, they all perished in the end.

amancalledgeorge · May 2020

@frankiejpmiller
You can get a range of feeds, some tend to be year round, others are Winter and Summer varieties which address the nutrient needs of the plants when are in dormancy and active growth. For instance Vitax make some, other are available
https://www.gardenworld.co.uk/case-study/how-to-keep-citrus-healthy/

Fairygirl · May 2020

Ah - I couldn't remember who had responded on that other thread @BobTheGardener

Was it you then @amancalledgeorge?
I knew there had been a recent enquiry and a very detailed response

Lemon tree not happy!

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