Hi guys. Well, I thought I was very careful with my Meyer lemon, but apparently I did something wrong since it dropped all but about 12 leaves. I brought it in from the balcony for a few hours each day for about a week before putting it on the heat mat and under the growlight, but it didn't really work.

The good news is that it's put out a whole new flush of growth over the entire tree, but as the shoots start to take shape I'm noticing it's about 95% flowers, which I've read is probably from the stress the tree endured. My question is, should I let the flowers bloom or should I pinch them and try to encourage some more leaf growth?

Also, I've heard that leaving the fallen leaves in the soil can cause disease/mold, but does the same go for the petioles? They're dropping into the soil as the new shoots come out, but should I bother picking them out?

Hello. I think the heat mat was the problem. I never use heat mats when I try to change the location of citrus. You add the heat mat latter after the tree gets used to the new environment. You seriously stressed the tree.

Why bother pinching to flowers? For 90% of citrus growers that is the goal.. To make the tree flower and fruit. And don't worry the leaves will come soon.

If you let the fallen leaves on the ground it's a very good source of nitrogen for the tree. You would be surprised how much nitrogen the leaves contain. But if it is in a pot you should not let to many because they will form a barrier between the soil and the atmosphere and you will get root rot or other bad stuff because all the water get's trapped inside especially when is cold.

Thanks covrig, I just wasn't sure if it was unhealthy for the tree to flower with very little leaves.

Personally, I don't think the heat mat is the problem, I think a heat mat is the solution. When you bring a tree inside, FIRST be sure the medium is around 70F, and is maintained at 70F for the first week or two. The #1 optimum temperature for citrus roots is 86F. After the tree has been indoors, and adjusted, the growth medium's temperature can be adjusted anywhere between 64F to 86F, depending on how much winter growth is desired. A rapid method to raise the root zone temperature, is to soak the container in a larger bucket of 80F water, then bring it indoors. Further, for the first few days once the tree is indoors, it can be set in a location out of the direct rays of the sun, however, I personally do not think doing so is really necessary if the medium is at the required temperature. - Millet (1,172- days to go)

Ray-
I think you are right to be concerned about your tree. Dropping a bunch of leaves and then flowering is a bad sign.
Do what you can- such as the soil temp issue, well draining media with good irrigation and perhaps humidity- but I would say the prognosis is gaurded, especially with a Meyer.

Kyle

Millet -

I'll be sure to warm the medium next time before bringing the tree in, I think that's probably what I did wrong. However I think the tree would probably be in much worse shape if it weren't for the heat mat. I'm really glad I put out the 20 bucks for it because I think it's responsible for the new flush of growth so soon after the leaves fell. The tree has a dozen of the original leaves and a bunch of new ones coming out with the flowers, do you think it has a pretty good chance of surviving?

KW4 -

I have the tree in chc in a root pruning container, on a gravel tray, on a heat mat and under a grow lamp. I've tried to create the most optimum conditions possible while indoors, so all I can really do now is keep it well watered and fertilized.

Hello again.
I am still sticking to the idea that the heat mat was the problem.
You never said what was the temperature difference between outside and inside. The temperature difference shock was the problem. I don't understand why to use a heat mat since it is already warm inside.

And yes if you had heated the pot before you brought it inside on the mat nothing would have happened. If you did what Millet said it would have been OK.

The problem was that you didn't use the mat in a right way not the mat itself.
I agree with Millet and I responded to your question with the data I had from your question.

Almost every plant that you take from the cold and you put it inside in a much higher temperature it will suffer in a way or another even if you do that little by little.

And don't worry. The tree will recover fast.