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Lemon tree in need of tlc
DenisCooper
Posts: 6
Good morning
ive been donated a lemon tree that looks like it’s it need of a bit of love. I’ve not really looked into caring for them as only just had it.
ive been donated a lemon tree that looks like it’s it need of a bit of love. I’ve not really looked into caring for them as only just had it.
If anyone has any experience on these I’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations. Like where to keep it, what feed, how much water etc. I will
take a look online too but I like to hear from peoples experience. It seems to have lost some of it leaves and some are going a bit on the brown side.
take a look online too but I like to hear from peoples experience. It seems to have lost some of it leaves and some are going a bit on the brown side.
0
Posts
They do best in a soil based compost (John Innes no 3) which needs to be neutral to slightly acidic so you could add 20 to 30% ericaceous MPC to help retain moisture. They need to be given a high nitrogen feed for leaf production and health between spring and autumn and then you need to switch to one high in potash and potassium from autumn to spring. This will support flower and fruit production. There are specialist citrus feeds available but tomato feed will do in winter.
The Meyer lemon is, supposedly, hardy to -5C but all others do not like frost so in winter they need to be in a well lit room or a frost free conservatory or greenhouse. Once night time temps are about 10C or more they can go outside in full sun.
I have Meyer lemon, a yuzu and a limquat and put mine against a south facing wall and water daily in hot spells. I put them in a polytunnel for winter once night time temps dip and that has, so far, been enough to protect them against winter frosts here, even when we went to an unusual -8C last winter.