Sorrento lemon defoliated after winter rain and wind storm

My little lemoncello lemon was defoliated during our recent rain and wind storm. The new buds , flowers, and the ripening fruit remain. Should I prune off the fruit and flowers and give it a high nitrogen fertilizer, or will it recover on it's own? Should I prune back the branches to force some leaf growth? It's Feb. 1 in So. Cal, and I don't have a clue what weather we will experience over the next few months, since it's been such an odd year in the garden, and the meteorologist don't seem to be very helpful this year. I'm rather fond of this lemon tree, Italian lemons are pretty special. I would hate to loose it. It's in a pot, like my other citrus trees, but was the only one to suffer defoliation, even though they share the same raised bed (retaining wall). I was planning on repotting it in a larger pot a little closer to spring. Maybe I should move it to a more protected, but unfortunately less sunny sight till it recovers. Any citrus pros out there with answers? I felt lucky to find this lemon, and don't think there are a lot growers out there selling Italian lemons. I would be sad to loose this guy.

Lemon trees do not like the wind. If you can move it to a sheltered location when you are expecting Santa Ana winds, that would be good. But don't move it to a less sunny area permanently.

In the mean time, it needs to re-grow those leaves as quickly as possibe. The roots feed the leaves and the leaves feed the roots. Fertilize with a nitrogen fertiler for leaf production. The fruit and buds will drop off on their own if the tree is too stressed.

Daisy

Daisy, thanks for the info. I didn't know lemons were more intolerant of wind then any other citrus! It's such a protected site and south facing, I though it would be a good home for this cultivar. I moved him closer to the back fence next to the blood orange for a little more protection. I have about 24 lemons ripening and was looking forward to a few different lemoncello recipies. I have some organic citrus food, and with your advise will give him #1 of his 3 feedings a bit early, even though I believe our chilly nights are making nutrient uptake a little slow. Since he is in a pot, if we end up getting more rain, I'm sure the nutrients will leach out prematurely and I will have to reapply more often. I don't generally use non organic fertilizers, especially for produce! I find potted cultivars a little more needy and attention seeking. Thanks for the advise, will do. Let me know if you don't think an organic feed is quick enough, since they release slower then a Chem feed. Maybe a liquid feed might be a better option for faster results. Most of my friends who have lemons here never really gave them much thought since they just tend to thrive even given less then optimal enviornments and don't seem to mind a little neglect. Maybe Italian lemons are a little more picky, or maybe this plant isn't old enough to fend for itelf. Thanks again, sincerely M.