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What soil do I need to repot my lemon tree?

By Matthew Sanders

What soil do I need to repot my lemon tree?

Choose a potting mix or compost to repot your citrus plant with. We advise using Westland Citrus Potting Mix. This is because it is a specially blended mix, which contains Seramis granules for optimum water and nutrient availability. It is also loam-rich to retain nutrients for fruit development.

When should you repot a Meyer lemon tree?

A lemon tree will generally need to be repotted every three to four years. At this juncture, you have two options. You can transplant the tree into a larger container or lift it out, prune the roots, and repot it in the same container with fresh soil.

Can you use regular potting soil for lemon trees?

Citrus need well drained soil, so selecting the right potting mix is important. Commercial potting mixes with peat moss, perlite, vermiculite and compost are fine to use as long as the soil is light enough to drain water well.

How much soil does a Meyer lemon tree need?

The Meyer lemon prefers well-drained loam or sandy loam soil in full sun with a pH level between 5.5 and 6.5. If your soil does not drain well, plant the Meyer lemon in a raised bed or on a gently sloping site. For soil heavy with clay, mix in 1 to 2 inches of compost for every 5-by-5 foot area.

How do you fertilize a potted lemon tree?

During the growing season only (from late March thru early August), fertilize your citrus plant with a liquid, organic fertilizer – such as liquid kelp, seaweed, or fish emulsion – or an organic granular fertilizer every two to three weeks. Do not fertilize in the winter when new growth should not be encouraged.

How often should I fertilize my Meyer lemon tree?

Fertilize regularly when growing Meyer lemons. A high nitrogen fertilizer, such as one designed for citrus trees, is best fed monthly between April and September. Withhold fertilizer during autumn and winter months.

How do I make my Meyer lemon soil more acidic?

Provide a mildly acidic to acidic growing soil for your Meyer lemon, with a pH ranging between 5.5 and 6.5. Amend soils of higher acidity, meaning 5.5 or lower, with lime to boost the alkalinity. Amend neutral and alkaline soils above 6.5 with elemental sulfur to boost the acidity and lower the pH.

What kind of soil to use for a Meyer lemon tree?

In October 2015, I had purchased a three-year-old Meyer Lemon tree from the Four Winds Growers, which came packed in wood shavings and, per their instructions, I repotted it into a 5 gal pot filling it with Miracle-Gro’s organic potting soil.

How do you repot a Meyer lemon tree?

Adjust the height of the root ball so the crown of the roots is just a couple inches below the top of the pot. Fill in around the roots with additional potting soil to position the tree at about the same depth that it was in the old pot.

Where did the Meyer lemon tree come from?

Useful as both an ornamental and a fruit-producing tree, Meyer lemon trees produce fruits that are sweeter than lemons from the grocery store. Meyer lemons are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11. According to This Old House, Meyer lemons were developed in China and introduced to the U.S. in 1908.

Are there any thorns on a Meyer lemon tree?

The most challenging part of buying an Improved Meyer Lemon tree for sale is finding a reputable nursery that will provide you a disease-free, healthy tree. Do Meyer Lemon trees have thorns? – Unlike true lemons, Improved Meyer Lemon trees are nearly thornless.

In October 2015, I had purchased a three-year-old Meyer Lemon tree from the Four Winds Growers, which came packed in wood shavings and, per their instructions, I repotted it into a 5 gal pot filling it with Miracle-Gro’s organic potting soil.

Adjust the height of the root ball so the crown of the roots is just a couple inches below the top of the pot. Fill in around the roots with additional potting soil to position the tree at about the same depth that it was in the old pot.

Useful as both an ornamental and a fruit-producing tree, Meyer lemon trees produce fruits that are sweeter than lemons from the grocery store. Meyer lemons are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11. According to This Old House, Meyer lemons were developed in China and introduced to the U.S. in 1908.

How big of a pot do I need to repot a lemon tree?

Fill in around the roots with additional soil until the lemon tree is potted at the same depth it was at previously. Water thoroughly so the soil settles around the roots and add more soil, if necessary. Always repot into a pot larger than the old one. For example, upgrade from a 5 gallon to a 7-gallon pot or a 7-gallon to a 15-gallon pot.