Potted Lemon Tree care

jnote · 25 February

Hello all,

I recently got a dying potted lemon tree from a friend. Leaves were yellow and falling off. I’ve fed it some citrus feed and it seems to be doing much better now. This is my first plant so treat me like a newbie!

My questions are about pruning, as I’ve read now is the time to prune for new season. I want to get a nice bush feel to it eventually.

Obviously the plant has grown quite tall on a side shoot, so am wondering where to cut it? Should I take the whole branch off and start from scratch. What about all the shoots at the bottom, do I cut them all off? Where do I cut exactly? And what should I do if only one shoot takes off again?

TIA 🙏

floralies · 25 February

Hello @jnote and welcome to the Forum. I don't grow them myself but there is a member who does, I will try and rouse @Nanny Beach for you.

Joyce Goldenlily · 25 February

I would shorten the main shoot back to two thirds long, to an outward facing shoot, and allow the side shoots time to grow up to balance the shape. The main stem and leaves look healthy so you have caught it just in time.

Nanny Beach · 25 February

Consider me roused,🤣. Where are you? It's a tree,they don't like central heating or dry air. I wouldn't feed it now. Hubby says take the leaders down to about 6 inches while growing.remove any dead brown stems (do the "scrape" test,see if theres any green) We don't feed ours till they have blossoms. Kept just frost free,watered every 2/4 weeks in winter.

jnote · 26 February

Thanks guys!

I’m in Spain so no central heating and gets sun most of the day by window.

By leaders you mean the ones that have grown tall? So cut 6 inches above where it comes out of main stem? Then don’t touch any of the others unless they scraping brown, right?

thanks again

Potted Lemon Tree care

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