Hello-

I am new to growing citrus trees in containers so I need some help! I have a tree that I bought last July. It is a Meyer lemon that is 3 years old. I was able to keep the container outside in the summer but I brought it in late fall. It was doing great up until the last month or two. I picked all 6 lemons (they ripened very nicely) but lately the leaves have been curling up, falling off and some have holes in them. I let it dry out during waterings so I don't understand what is going on. I used Scott citrus soil when I replanted this summer after I bought it and I haven't fertilized it since. Attached are two images. Thanks in advance for the help.




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Welcome to the forum by the way.

Welcome to the Citrus Growers forum. Thank you for joining. First, why have you with held, all nutrition from your tree for such a long time? You should fertilize a containerized tree a MINIMUM of once a month, twice a month would be better during spring, summer. I cannot comment on the growth medium you transplanted your tree into, as I do not know what the ingredients are in Scott's Citrus soil. Hopefully, it is not mainly peat moss. Most all of the tree's leaf tips are chlorotic or burned. This usually, means that soluble salts have build up in the root zone. When soluble salts begin to reach toxic levels, the root system has a difficult time absorbing moisture from the soil, and an EXTRA hard time as the soil dries, because soluble salts become more concentrated as you let the soil dry in between waterings. When you water a citrus tree, water the tree VERY THOROUGHLY so that approximately 10-20 percent of the irrigation water that is applied, drains out the bottom . This helps flush out any salt build up. Further, containers should be completely flushed out at least twice a year, using clean clear water in the amount of 4 times the volume of the container. Lastly, the tree's leaves look dull and light green. This is more than likely due to the tree never given the nourishment it requires. Meyer lemons should have dark green shiny leaves. Citrus trees are heavy feeders, especially requiring nitrogen and potassium. Lastly, you should dissolve one table spoon of Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulfate) in a gallon of HOT WATER, and apply the cooled solution to the root zone twice a year, as most fertilizer formulas do not contain magnesium . You can check bag's label to see if magnesium (Mg) is included. Use a good water soluble fertilizer that also contains trace elements. Try to find a fertilizer as close to a 5-1-3 ratio (not formula) as you can. Good luck to this tree. Again WELCOME to the forum. Take care. - Millet

Thanks for the welcoming me to the forum. I am looking forward to being a member for a long time.

This information is helpful. When you talk about the ratio for the fertilizer as 5-1-3, is that nitrogen-potassium-magnesium? Can you recommend any good citrus tree fertilizers?

Yes, 5-1-3 is the ratio that citrus absorb NPK nutrients from the soil. There are many commercial fertilizers. They should be chosen according to again replacing the minerals and their ratio. 5-1-3 is the ratio of the main elements lost from a citrus orchard. Fertilization should respect this ratio when the mineral content in the leaves is satisfactory. Obviously, in cases of over dosage, or deficiency, of one or more elements this ratio must be changed to the appropriate one. Unfortunately, a 5-1-3 ratio is a difficult one to locate. Peter's fertilizer make this exact ratio, including all the trace minerals, but it is sold only in 25-lb. bags. Some of our members have had rather good luck using a 30-10-10 fertilizer W/trace minerals, which can be located at most all garden centers, Home Depot, or Lowe's. - Millet

Hi Juliansully,

Glad to see you found your way here, you will get good quality answers on this forum

I flushed out my plant to remove any salt build-up in the root zone and I bought fertilizer that is 30-10-10 since I couldn't find 5-1-3.

I planted the tree in Miracle-Gro's palm, cactus and citrus tree soil because I read somewhere it was a good product for the plants since it is fast-draining. Then I read the other day that it contains peat moss. Not sure how much but hopefully not a lot since the mix is for citrus trees. We'll see.

When you pour water into the pot, how long does it take to start draining out? A little peat won't hurt, but when I used to use composts (I switched to using kitty litter) I sieved them first to get rid of all of the fine particles.

When I flushed out my plant tree the other day, it drained rather quickly.

Juliansully, you don't need to find a fert with the exact nubers 5-1-3. I use M.G. 24-8-16 which is a very close ratio. If you multiply each # (5-1-3) by 5 you get 25-5-15 which is the exact ratio. So, my 24-8-16 is close enough for me.
Peat is good but too much will hold too much water and rot the roots.

How's the tree doing
Any better?

Be sure to flush your container two or tree times a year, to keep the soluble salt build up at a low lever. - Millet (1,449)