Hi all,

I have a 2 metre tall lemon tree that had some problems last winter. I overwatered and it lost all if it's leaves. Basically it was potted in clay heavy soil.

I repotted into a mix of orchid compost and potting compost back in October. It immediately started to grow, maybe 35 leaves on about 10 branches. Since then, the tree hasn't done anything.

It occasionally grows 2-3 very small fruits, and a few very small shoots and leaves, maybe 2-3 cm. More often than not the tiny leaves turn black and die. It hasn't dropped any of the big leaves it grew last year but it certainly doesn't look happy.

It was overwintered with fairy lights and has a nice sunny balcony.

Any ideas why a tree woukdn't grow? maybe I will try to repot again.

Please help

Try heating the root-zone.

Lazz has a good point. Do you own a soil thermometer? Every grower of containerized citrus should own a soil thermometer. A citrus tree, both the roots, and the above ground scion portion, will have no growth at temperatures below 55.4F, and very little growth below 65F - 70F. The optimum temperature for tree growth is between 78 to 86F. At temperatures above 95 there is no growth on a citrus tree. If the sun is shining on a dark colored container, the root zone temperature could well be over 100+ degrees. - Millet (573-)

Yes I've had fairy lights all winter long around the pot, kept roots at those temperatures. I've taken them off now as it's nice and warm here.

It's strange, it's as if its been sleeping for months. I wonder if the roots are knackered and can't provide much energy?

Are you giving heavy fertilization in the growing season ?

No, I've stopped as the tree looks like it's stressed. Flushed the pot last week too

It sounds like it is lacking nutrients. If you re-potted it a week ago, I would give it a heavy dose of fertilizer. If you're using Miracle gro or something like it, it should have slow release fertilizer in it already.

Quote:

Abnormalities in the citrus tree's vegetation can represent a nutritional deficiency. Lack of adequate nitrogen causes the tree's leaves to turn yellow, and the leaves may appear smaller. A magnesium deficiency causes the tree's leaves to have yellow blotches. Leaves that appear white but still show green veins indicate a lack of iron. A zinc deficiency s the leaves to appear green striped with a yellow or whitish background. The leaves may also appear thin and smaller than normal. Yellow leaves with striking green veins indicate a lack of manganese. Apply nutrient foliar sprays to treat manganese, zinc and magnesium deficiencies. Use soil additives for nitrogen and iron deficiencies.

Hmmmm, I will try giving it a good feed, but I'm not so sure, I gave it a lot of feed over the winter and spring but it never improved.

See photo's below, I see a few more brown branches have appeared in the past few days

http://upmyphoto.com/image/68028/d31ef3b
http://upmyphoto.com/image/68027/80f8f1d
http://upmyphoto.com/image/68026/8fed7d3
http://upmyphoto.com/image/68025/a632e5c
http://upmyphoto.com/image/68024/748d958
http://upmyphoto.com/image/68023/ac453ee

Your soil looks much to wet. Also you should fill the container up quite a bit more to give the roots room to grow.

What type of soil are you using ?

I flushed it the other day, that's why it's soaked. I can't find CHC in Switzetland so using a orchid bark mix with normal compost. Ok, will fill it up more, but there were not many roots when I repotted....

You don't want to use heavy soil or regular dirt. This is what my mix looks like for potted plants.

Beno, it sounds like your tree has been through alot lately.

Here's a quick accessment of your situation as I see it (correct me if I'm wrong): overwatered, repotted in October, small growth spurt, fertilized (too soon? wrong time of year?), stressed, does not have many roots.

In my opinion, the tree should just rest. It's been through alot and just doesn't "feel good". It needs time to replenish its energy and grow some roots. After root growth, it will start to grow some leaves. If you feel you need to fertilize it, then I think the best and safest thing to use is fish emulsion. It's gentle, effective and won't hurt (burn) the roots. You might want to try foliar feeding, plants are very receptive to it.

When your tree is ready, it will start growing. Summer will be very good for it.

I agree with Laaz. The tree's root system has no where to grow. The container that the tree is growing in looks to be more than 1/2 empty. With what little amount of growth medium the poor tree has available to it, it is no wonder that the tree cannot put fourth any new growth. The roots need a lot more medium than what it is presently has. - Millet (566-).

Hi guys,

That was the original container that the plant came in, when I repotted o noticed many roots were rotten, hence I only had half a root ball left. Therefore I repotted with less medium. You think I should have filled it again, even with less roots?

Last night I made a better mix, roughly 3 parks bark, 1 part citrus compost and repotted into a more suitable container.

Will post a pic tonight.