A lemon tree is a great addition to any garden. Not only do their bright flowers and shiny green leaves look nice, but having a lot of fresh lemons on hand is very helpful for cooking, drinks, and do-it-yourself projects. But container-grown lemon trees need special care to stay healthy and produce lemons. One of the most important things to do is to know when to repot your lemon tree.
Why Repotting is Crucial for Lemon Trees
Repotting provides several important benefits for lemon trees
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It allows the roots more room to grow and spread out. Lemons are vigorous growers and their root systems can quickly become crowded in too small of a container.
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Fresh potting soil replaces old depleted soil. New soil gives plants and animals the nutrients they need to grow and produce fruit.
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Upsizing the pot gives the entire tree more space to grow larger and produce higher yields.
If you don’t repot your lemon trees on a regular basis, they will have problems like slow growth, yellowing leaves, lots of leaf drop, small fruit, and low yields. This decline happens because the roots are fighting for space in a pot that is now too small. Giving trees new soil and more room by repotting them makes them feel better and helps them grow and produce more fruit.
How to Know When It’s Time to Repot a Lemon Tree
It’s important to repot lemon trees at the right time to avoid setbacks. Here are signs it’s time for a container-grown lemon tree to be moved to a larger pot:
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Roots can be seen coming out of the drainage holes. This happens when the root mass grows and roots spread out to find new space. Visible circling roots are also a sign of congestion.
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Slow growth and leaf drop – Even with proper watering and fertilization, restricted roots have difficulty taking up enough water and nutrients. Trees show signs of stress like stunted growth and excessive leaf drop.
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Reduced fruit size and yield – Without adequate nutrients and water, trees aren’t able to support abundant fruit production. You may notice smaller than normal lemons and lower yields.
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Dieback in branches – Extreme root congestion can even lead to death of twigs and branches.
As a general rule, container lemon trees need repotting every 3-4 years. But keep an eye out for these visual signs your tree is becoming rootbound and intervene with repotting sooner if needed.
When’s the Best Time of Year to Repot Lemon Trees?
Early spring, just as new growth is starting, is the ideal repotting window for lemon trees. The boost of fresh soil and extra space encourages vigorous root growth as the tree begins its annual cycle. Early spring repotting allows the tree several months to recover before summer heat hits.
Other good options are early fall after fruiting has completed, or even during summer if the tree isn’t fruiting heavily. Just take care to avoid disturbing developing lemons.
Times to absolutely avoid include mid-late fall going into winter dormancy and during the main flowering and fruiting periods in spring/summer. Repotting during active growth flushes taxes the tree’s resources and can result in fruit or flower bud drop.
How to Repot a Lemon Tree Step-by-Step
With the right preparation and careful technique, repotting is straightforward for container lemon trees. Follow this simple process:
Gather Supplies
- New container 1-2 inches wider than current pot
- Sharp, clean pruning shears or hori hori knife
- Potting mix formulated for citrus
- Watering can
Prepare New Container
Fill pot 1⁄4 full with moistened potting mix. Provide drainage holes if lacking.
Remove Tree from Current Pot
Water thoroughly day before repotting. Carefully remove tree, gently loosening root ball.
Examine and Prune Roots
Gently loosen circling roots at root ball edges. Prune any damaged roots with clean shears.
Place in New Container
Sit root ball in new pot. Add potting mix around edges, matching old soil level.
Water Well
Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom drainage holes. Allow to fully drain.
Provide Aftercare
Move tree to normal location. Prune damaged branches. Water moderately as it re-establishes.
Caring for Repotted Lemon Trees
Proper aftercare prevents transplant shock and helps trees bounce back quickly after repotting:
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Allow soil to partially dry out between waterings to prevent rotting.
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Hold off fertilizing for 1 month, then resume at half strength.
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Monitor for transplant shock (leaf drop, yellowing). Provide more shade if severe.
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Avoid heavy pruning for 2-3 months post-repotting.
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Maintain proper sunlight, temperatures, airflow.
With attentive care, even older, stressed lemon trees will show revived health and fruitfulness in no time!
Troubleshooting Common Repotting Issues
Minor leaf drop and yellowing is normal initially as the tree adjusts. But if symptoms persist, troubleshoot for these potential problems:
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Underwatering – Leaves dry and drop with inadequate water. Check soil and water at first signs of dryness.
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Overwatering – Too much moisture suffocates roots leading to rot, leaf drop, and yellowing. Allow soil to partially dry before watering.
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Heavy soil – Compacted, dense soil prevents drainage causing rot. Repot in a lighter citrus mix.
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Root damage – Prune damaged roots. Provide extra recovery time in shade.
Catch issues early and you can get your lemon tree back on track after reporting shocks.
Give Lemon Trees a Fresh Start
Paying attention to signs your lemon tree needs more space like reduced growth and visible roots, and repotting at the right time of year, sets trees up for success. The investment of repotting into fresh soil and a larger container keeps lemon trees thriving for years of enjoyment.
How to Repot a Lemon Tree
There’s no great mystery to repotting lemon trees. Choose a container that is 25% larger than the one it is currently in. Fill the new pot ¼ full with potting soil and water the soil until moist and any excess drains from the drainage holes.
Using a trowel or hori hori, loosen the soil around the root ball and the container. When you feel you have loosened the tree from the pot enough, grasp the tree near the base and lift it out of the container. This is sometimes a two person job, one to hold the tree and one to pull the pot downward.
When Do You Repot Lemon Trees?
If you have been vigilant about watering and fertilizing your container grown lemon tree but the leaves are dropping or browning and there is evidence of twig dieback, you might want to think about repotting the lemon tree.
Another sure sign that you need to repot is if you see the roots growing out of the drainage holes. A lemon tree will generally need to be repotted every three to four years. At this juncture, you have two options. You can transplant the tree into a larger container or lift it out, prune the roots, and repot it in the same container with fresh soil.
The choice is yours. Remember that the ultimate size of the lemon is directly related to the size of the container, so if you want a larger tree, it’s time to get a bigger pot.
When you have ascertained that you are going to repot rather than prune the roots of the plant, plan to repot in the spring when the tree is gearing up for new growth. When it is actively in its growth phase it will establish more quickly in a new container.
How to Repot a Meyer Lemon Tree |Plus Organic Care Tips|
FAQ
How do I know when to repot my lemon tree?
When It’s Time to Repot Your Meyer Lemon Tree You know it’s time to repot your tree when you see roots poking out of drainage holes or swimming around the top like sharks. Sluggish growth or leaves that seem to have lost their will to live? Another tell-tale sign. Your tree’s roots are likely in a bind, literally.
Do lemon trees like being root bound?
Citrus trees like to become root bound and will actually produce more once they have done so. There is a high end citrus greenhouse near me called Logee’s which has most of their citrus in pots. If you water it and feed it some fertilizer every so often, it will live for many years.
When should you transplant a lemon tree?
Moving or transplanting established trees is easiest in the winter and early spring, when plants aren’t actively growing and the soil is still moist. This gives plants time to grow new roots and get back to normal before summer.
How do you repot a lemon tree?
The best time to repot is in the spring, just ahead of peak growing season. To repot, gently remove the lemon tree from its container and brush away any excess soil. Then, place it in a new container that’s one to two inches wider and fill in any gaps with new potting mix. Water thoroughly and leave to settle.
How do you know if a lemon tree needs repotting?
Observe the growth patterns of your lemon tree. If you notice signs of stress or overcrowding in its current pot, such as stunted growth or roots protruding from drainage holes, it may be an indication that repotting is necessary sooner rather than later.
When should you repot a lemon tree?
The choice is yours. Remember that the ultimate size of the lemon is directly related to the size of the container, so if you want a larger tree, it’s time to get a bigger pot. When you have ascertained that you are going to repot rather than prune the roots of the plant, plan to repot in the spring when the tree is gearing up for new growth.