Lemon Tree in sun-lounge over winter, or move into house?
BenHayward
Posts: 20
Hi Everyone!
I've been happily growing my Four Seasons lemon tree in our sun lounge over the summer. However, since it's now dropping in temperature over night, I'm wondering whether I should be bringing it into the lounge?
We live in the South East. In the last week, where it has dropped to -3 outside, it has been 4 degrees in the sun lounge. The sun lounge is south facing, so as soon as dawn breaks, the room heats up and the lemon tree gets loads of sunshine! When in bright sunshine on a freezing cold day, the sun lounge will be 20-25 degrees.
I am reluctant to move it into the lounge, or any other room of the house, as they would be warm but would offer absolutely no sunshine for it.
The tree has shown no signs of being unhappy with the temparature getting down to 4 degrees - obviously there is no frost or wind in the sun lounge. Further, it will only drop that low on nights where the temparature goes below freezing.
I've left a few photos attached to this post!
I'd love to know what your thoughts are on me moving it into the lounge, or keeping it where it is?
Many Thanks!
Posts
Leave it in the sun lounge. Lemons can stand a few degrees of frost. They need a lot of sun. The worst thing you can do is over water it.
Last edited: 03 December 2016 21:05:22
Your lemon is showing signs of chlorosis - the yellow marbling of its leaves. This could be due to mineral deficiencies or being grown in the wrong compost. Chlorosis can also be cold-induced and as lemons aren't hardy the temperature in your conservatory which widely fluctuates will not be good for it. Why not try moving it into the lounge at night times when the light levels won't matter.
Ladybird4, Those leaves were new in August - they came up that colour and have not changed (got any worse) since. Further, the old leaves which came with the plant originally have remained their dark green colour. ALL of the lighter green leaves were new in August. Would you have still said this is cause for concern? Many thanks!
Hi Ben. Healthy leaves should be the dark green of the original leaves but I know that young leaves appear almost lime green when they first emerge. I would keep an eye on them though as they mature and if they remain like that then the plant will not be able to carry out photosynthesis efficiently which will lead to a deterioration of the plant. The lemons look great!
I don't know much about growing lemons, but I agree with Lb - it does look like chlorosis.
Usually a dose of MgSO4 (epsom salts) corrects the deficiency, if it's magnesium. 1 T-spoon in a gallon of water.
There may be other causes such as a lack of iron.
I believe there are 2 different feeds for citrus - a winter fertilizer and a summer fertilizer.
Are you using those?
Sorry if I'm preaching to the converted. The fruits look great
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Hi All, thanks for the replies! I am using Baby Bio citrus feed once a week. Would you have said I should add some general purpose fertiliser too?
Yes, ideally I would like to leave it in the sun lounge, as moving it around every day is quite an effort, and besides, there's not a single room in the rest of the house which gets any sun light.
Some info from the RHS here Ben -
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/fruit/citrus
hope it helps
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Monty Don recommends seaweed as a feed for lemons. That's what I give mine in summer, at least once a month and less often in winter.Have had variable results. I leave my lemons outside as long as possible until the first frosts are predicted. Then I move them inside to a large SE facing window in a heated room. They do get a lot of sun but I am very sparing with the watering. I harden them off before moving outside in the late spring where they remain until the first predicted frost. The danger of too long inside is scale insects.
I think the recommendation for seaweed feed is because it provides trace elements which the lemons need. They are hungry feeders. When I repot I incorporate manure in the compost for the same reason....may not be convention but that's what I do.