Help with Meyer Lemon

Veronica, Thanks for the info. I'm sure glad I didn't try it. Thanks for always being so willing to share your knowledge, it's greatly appreciated! Fran

Bettydee thanks the Lime tree looks much much better now. Lots lots of the lime budettes (what my DH calls the baby limes) so now only have about 7 on the tree but I've told him the tree will only keep what it can support and it was only transplanted this year and it's been stressed. The lemon we have lots of new growth (when we bought it the poor thing had been hacked at within an inch of it's life) and one little lemon. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that next year out yeild will incress.

One of my questions is how do I know when it's time to pick the limes? Also when do I know when they need a new pot?

Saint

Good questions Saint! I'm listening to learn too... since I bought a meyer lemon and someone sent me lime seeds... oh joy! So much to learn, I feel like I am in 1st grade in gardening school! LOL ~ Suzi :)

Historically, I've been warned against volunteering. But here's the gospel according to a lime afficionado.

You'll note that the skin is grainy. Wait until it gets smooth. It'll even start to yellow a bit. That's when it's the best. And, roll it against the table top -- or counter -- with the flat of your hand, before you cut into it.

Enjoy

another good way to get a lime or lemon to be extra juicy is to zap it for 10 or 15 seconds in the microwave.

My key lime has lots of little "budettes" now too, so we'll see if any stay on this time. The meyer lemon also has a few little lemons in various stages of growth, but I picked most of the babies off because the tree looked pathetic after the winter, and I figured it needed to save its strength. Now the lemon tree is putting out bunches of new growth, and it just looks so happy to be out on the patio!

Saint,

In Texas, the Mexican Lime, including the thornless variety, can produce year-round so harvest is year round. Since it can be harvested in the green as well as the yellow stage, it's difficult to tell you exactly when to harvest. Once the limes start turning from a dark to a ligher green, you need to pick one and sample it. The enclosed link states that taste is the best indicator of fruit maturity. The average size of Mexican limes is slightly less than 1-1/2 inches in diameter.

If you are in one of the seven citrus growing areas, the above applies. Even then the fruit doesn't mature all at the same time. There are many variables that influence harvest time. In some areas there is only one blooming period, in early spring. Expect to harvest in mid to late fall again relying on taste as an indicator to maturity.

As for repotting. I would dig a few holes, maybe 3 or 4, somewhat near the rim of the pot. If you encounter a mass of roots in all the holes, the tree is pot bound and needs repotting. It also needs repotting if you find that your tree needs watering frequently with the leaves graying and drooping rapidly, it's definitely time to repot. You really want to repot before it reaches this stage. It is normal to have to water more frequently during the hot summer months with slight graying in leaf color indicatiing a need for water. Over time you will learn to anticipate your tree's need for water before it starts to gray. I poke a little hole with my fingers and feel the soil for moisture.

Potting up to a larger size can be done almost year round since you won't be disturbing the roots too much. Unlike most trees, don't repot citrus in the fall. Especially if you are moving the pots indoors or to a cool greenhouse for the winter. They don't put much root growth during that period and all the water in the new soil acts as a water reservoir increasing the chances of root damage or rot.

Root pruning to repot the tree in the same planter is best done in late winter or early spring (depending on where you live) before the first flush of leaves start to grow. Using a long sharp knife, shave 2 inches all the way around the sides and from the bottom of the rootball. Add 3 inches of firm but not hard packed (It will settle.) new soil to the bottom of the pot. Place the rootball in the pot and center it. Carefully add some new soil around the sides of the pot, gently packing it as you go. Water. You will need to prune the top to compensate for the root loss. Selectively remove branches to thin and open up the canopy for better air circulation. Don't just lop off the ends. Follow the branch you want to remove down to where it originated. When you make the cut, make it flush with the remaining stem. If the branch has developed a collar, don't cut beyond it as the collar helps the wound heal.

Suzi, it can take anywhere from 2 to 15 years for a citrus tree started from seed to produce fruit. Some may never produce fruit, but it's fun watching something grow from seed.

Veronica


http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/filelibrary/2193/220.htm

Veronica, thanks for your detailed & comprehensive explanations!

Veronica,
I am sure my 7 y/o will enjoy seeing it sprout and grow. I hope we get fruit but, even if don't will still be good to observe and learn. Hopefully she will grow as it does and she can bring it in + out too!! Thanks for details!! ~ Suzi :)

Jeez I wish I had my own slaves..ahh I mean kids. As kids when Mom would tell us to go do this or that and we would whine she would always tell us "Why do you think I had you kids?" Since we couldn't come up with a better reason...*LOL*

Suzi when it's planted and coming up plz take pictures I'd love to see how they look as a baby tree.

I'll take lots of pics after find DD digital camera, which better be soon! :)

I got a meyer lemon in feb and planted it in a 6-8 gal pot. spring came and i got tons of blooms but most fell off but i do now have 5 small to med size lemons growing. they have been growing for awhile so i hope they stay can't wait to eat them :)

This message was edited Jun 22, 2005 9:10 AM

good luck we have 1 (one) lemon and I'm eyein it like a hawk! *G*

I've got 4, eyeing like a mother hen. Got to be careful, little one likes lemons too...

jimmyz,

It's normal for the majority of the blooms to fall off. The plant wouldn't be able to support all that fruit. Also, don't be surprised if some fruit fall off before they reach maturity, usually when they get about golfball size. My dwarf red ruby grapefruit tree had about 15 fruit that developed this year. Four have dropped off. C'est la vie. Sigh. :-(

Bettydee just an update on my Mexican Thornless...also wanted to ask how long should we spray with the foliar?

We only have about 4 limes but I think the tree is looking much healthier...

araness, the foliar spray is used only if you see a micronutrient deficiency on the leaves. A word of caution. Some citrus trees are more sensitive than others to leaf burn when sprayed on a hot day. I have a grapefruit tree with a few orange shaded leaves on the west side of the tree. I used foliar spray in May just as the weather was heating up. I had never had this happen to any of my citrus trees before, but then the climate in San Jose, CA is different than here in central Texas. If you use the foliar spray, use it late in the evening after it cools down, but with enough time for the leaves to dry. Or you could switch to Ironite if you need to add micronutrients during the summer. Ironite is spread on damp soil and watered in. Avoids damaging leaves.

I'm happy to hear your lime tree is looking healthier.

Thanks Bettydee, and I've very careful about spraying. I pull the pot under the shed and don't spray until about 6:00 pm. LOL that is the ONLY think the DH with his Ag Eng title has told me. Matter fact one of his major rants as we drive down the road and see people watering plants or grass at noon. Thank the stars he doesn't stop and tell the people this.