Hi everyone,

I have had my Lemon Tree since 2008 and it's been in the same container since. I used Miracle Grow citrus soil for pots. I don't think I need to pot up for a long while but I wonder if I should do a soil change any time soon?

Twice a year I flood the pot really well to help wash out any accumulation of salt and minerals, usually first thing in the Spring when I bring it outside from being indoors during the winter and before feeding it and once after the summer before the fall.

But is there a recommendation for changing out the soil in the pot for some fresh stuff? If so how much? The entire pot?

Thank you!

You didn't give us much to go on, like size, condition, pot size, etc. Just from the date that your provided (2008) and the soil that you used, I would suspect that your tree would benefit from attention below the soil line. Slip the tree out of the pot and take a look at what is going on: circling roots, sparse soil, collapsed soil. If you do indeed need to repot, search in this forum for container soil types that have been successful for citrus. Whatever you decide, make sure it is well draining.

Barbara

I usually change a couple of inches of soil from the surface. If the plant is small enough to handle I also do some minor root pruning to promote fresh roots growing (sometimes accompanied by additional crown pruning to maintain a balanced root-crown ratio). If the plant is seriously root bound I move it to the next pot size.
But then again you said that you had the plant since 2008. It is too soon to do anything to it if the plant looks nice, it is flowering and fruiting.
Cheers!

One of the oldest rules in the commercial nursery business (higher quality nurseries) is either sell the tree in the first year, or if not sold, transplant the tree into a larger container, or throw the tree away. - Millet (610-)