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Lemon Trees

chrissywright001chrissywright001 Posts: 4
in Problem solving
Hi everybody,
I'm new to the forum so excuse me if I waffle. My lemon tree came to me full of scale insects and wrapped round a hoop to grow in a nice tidy state. It is now several years older and looking too bushy. Most of the scale have left after using neem oil but it  still looks unhappy. Lots of tiny fruit but too crowded. How can I free him from his restrictive hoop? I feel it needs more light.
Any fruit that grow come very pithy, not much juice.
Any feed back would be appreciated. Thanks.

Posts

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Can you add a couple of photos to give us an idea of the issue and scale of the plant? 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • InglezinhoInglezinho Posts: 568
    If someone is tired of prison the best way to make them happy is release them.
    Scale insect: use a strong hose on maximum jet and give it a good hose down, try and locate the jet below rather than above the leaves. If kept dry during the winter and near the house they are hardy. If you live in a cold area, best move to a porch or other frost free location, but keep them in full sun throughout.
    Everyone likes butterflies. Nobody likes caterpillars.
  • chrissywright001chrissywright001 Posts: 4
    I have now attached three pictures. The Tomorite is to give it some scale. The close up is of some curled leaves. No sign of any pests on the underside.
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    You can take that hoop out or cut it up and pull it out. The branches are mature and strong and unlikely going to get damaged. I can see it's already growing away. A strange idea of growing in a hoop. You can always trim wayward long branches if you need more open light getting into the shrub.

    I do think you need to go up a pot size and use a loam-based compost like John Innes No 3 with grit added. Fruits can take a long time to grow and ripen in the UK. The night temperatures dip too much for them to ripen enough. 

    Watering, it's always best to give them a thorough watering so you see water draining out, but always allow them time to dry out until you next water. Keep it somewhere with as much sun as possible, preferably along a sunny wall so the wall releases the warmth in the night.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I summer I keep my citrus pots in trays so I can see when water comes out at the bottom and then also when it's all been absorbed.  Mine are currently forming small fruits so it's important to keep them watered but not drowning.

    I agree about going up a pot size and using good, loamy compost.
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  • chrissywright001chrissywright001 Posts: 4
    many thanks for your help. The hoop is now gone and the tree already looks happier. I will repot next season as I have just top dressed with some fresh no.3. The advice about watering is always tricky. Some say don't let them dry out and some say do. Some say a gravel tray at the bottom will help maintain humidity. I can't see that working while the wind is blowing like it is today. 
    Guess i will have to experiment.
    Thanks again for you help.
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