Dwarf Meyer Lemon in distress, what should I do?

San Francisco Coast , CA(Zone 10b)

We recently redid our front yard and made space for my coveted fruit trees, which had once been on the sunny (and hot) deck. When we transplanted the dwarf meyer lemon from container to soil, it appeared to go into shock. I assumed it was needing much adjustment as it went from much sun to partial - and though maybe the ground wasn't draining as well as the container was? I held back on watering, but she did have a couple good soaks and a citrus fertilizer spike. She dropped all her leaves, and the branches browned. It's been weeks (8-10?) and no regrowth ... with the exception of some sorrell (which I've always understood, if you can grow weeds, your soil's ok) and I noticed a patch of green (algae??) on the soil top. We HAVE had an amazingly wet spring and summer... seriously, like 2 sunny days that got to 80deg... that's it. Her trunk is still green, but having not seen ANY regrowth, I'm concerned. Should I put her back on the deck in the container? Will shock set in and do her in for good? I've read a couple accounts online where it was said to NOT fertilize until you see regrowth, is that where I went wrong? What should I do next?
These photos were taken this morning, at 0830... she was in full sun by 0930. There is a full set of 7 photos on my Flickr site, direct link to the set here: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjvz4N6Y

Thumbnail by ABarker
Vicksburg, MS(Zone 8a)

I don't know anything about Meyer lemons but I've grown many trees, including fruit trees, in general so I will see if I can help. First, is that exposed roots I see at the bottom of the tree? Could all that rain have caused the soil to settle and expose them? If so, I'd get them covered back up. Second, the fertilizer could have caused some burn but I do see green on your tree limbs so it's obviously still alive. Once a tree goes into shock it could stay that way for a while, possibly all the way till next spring when it will put out lots of healthy new leaves which will make you smile and heave a sigh of relief. If I see green on a small tree that I'm trying to get started I'm always optimistic. I think your little lemon tree just might make it. Let us know if she does.

San Francisco Coast , CA(Zone 10b)

Quote from NatureLover1950 :
First, is that exposed roots I see at the bottom of the tree? Could all that rain have caused the soil to settle and expose them? If so, I'd get them covered back up.


Ya, you know, the soil settled like that and the tree has had it's roots exposed for 3 years now. When we planted it in the ground a few months ago, I was worried that if I covered the roots I'd be changing something that had been working. I should have mentioned that, this tree is going on 4years old in Octoberish.
Thanks for your vote of confidence! I am thinking I may try to repot (container) it on the sunny hot deck again - if only because I'm concerned with our wet foggy days - it's just not drying out. The soil is definitely damp.

Brooklyn Park, MD

i like the shiny green clover at the last pic :)

Vicksburg, MS(Zone 8a)

I hope your tree survives for you. I know with each of my trees I start as very young things I baby them along and they almost get to be like children :-} On those roots, I'd have done the same thing you did--leave them exposed. I've seen so many trees in the wild that have huge sections of exposed roots because they are situated on a steep bank and they seem to compensate by hardening off the exposed roots. They live to be very old and huge trees.

Brooklyn Park, MD

They grow so fast? Lol

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