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Mini citrus tree, too late to save it?

JacquimcmahonJacquimcmahon Posts: 1,039
in Problem solving
Hi all,

i have a mini citrus tree which has survived well for the last couple of years. It has lived outside in summer and indoors in a cool light bedroom in winter. Unfortunately I did not realize my husband had turned on the radiator this last few weeks. One side of the plant has been in direct contact with the radiator with the consequence that half of the stems have gone crispy and dried out. The other side is not happy either but at least still has some green stems and a few leaves.

is it worth trying to save it, and if yes should I cut out the dry stems or give them some time to see if they leaf up now spring is arriving?
Marne la vallée, basically just outside Paris 🇫🇷, but definitely Scottish at heart.

Posts

  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,511
    Yes, it is worth trying to save it.  First thing is to move it out of the heat to a cold place but not outside, maybe a porch, cold frame or similar, because the shock from going to a warm place to outside could be too much right now, especially with the cold weather we are having in the UK. I assume you are in the UK.

    It's spring now and in the next few weeks move it outside to a sheltered location if you don't have a porch or cold frame.  Don't cut it back yet but wait until shoots appear and are growing strongly.  Feed it and give it as much sunlight as you can; you could do that now.  Also harvest those tangerines or whatever they are now to divert energy into the plant instead of the ripening fruit.  I have known citrus to recover from the way your bush looks now so don't give up.
    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
  • JacquimcmahonJacquimcmahon Posts: 1,039
    Thanks Redwing. I’ll put it back in the bedroom by the window and make sure hubby does not put the radiator on again!  I’m in France (Paris ), so generally our temps are slightly higher than the UK. I have already bought a new pot for it so I’ll go ahead with repotting. Thanks again
    Marne la vallée, basically just outside Paris 🇫🇷, but definitely Scottish at heart.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    It's not dead until it curls up and dies.  But don't repot it until after it has proved to be alive.  More soil now is just what it doesn't want.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • JacquimcmahonJacquimcmahon Posts: 1,039
    Ok thanks, I’ll keep it as is for. Now then, I’m putting it outside today during the day as we are getting sunshine and unseasonably warm temps, hopefully it will do it good to get the sunshine. I did this for a few weeks last year and it got off to a great start, just such a shame it was in contact with the stupid radiator.
    Marne la vallée, basically just outside Paris 🇫🇷, but definitely Scottish at heart.
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