Meyer lemon trees are incredibly easy to cultivate in containers. Be sure to provide well-draining soil, while keeping the top inch moist at all times.
Meyer lemon trees require a sunny south-facing window when grown indoors. Be careful to gradually introduce them as sudden temperature fluctuations may result in fruit drop.
Temperature
Meyer lemon trees thrive best in hardiness zones 8-11 and can be planted either outdoors in your garden or containers to enjoy indoors. They love full sunlight with well-draining soil. Water deeply to establish roots before keeping soil moisture levels between moist but not saturated – overwatering can damage internal structures; look out for signs like wilting leaves to determine whether too little moisture is being received by your tree, otherwise an LED grow light may be required if kept indoors.
Plant lemon trees in loamy, sandy soil with an ideal pH range between 5.5 to 6.5. Using citrus-specific fertilizer according to package directions, fertilize the ground every 3-6 weeks as directed; when transplanting plants from containers into their new locations.
Lemon trees should be pruned regularly in order to remove long branches that don’t produce fruit, and to open up their canopy for better air circulation. When kept indoors, be sure to place near a sunny window but away from heating vents that could dry out its foliage, while misting daily with a spray bottle to add additional humidity.
Meyer lemon trees don’t need two trees for pollination – perfect if you are growing indoors since no additional room will need to be made available for another tree! Their flowers are self-fertile. This makes growing meyer lemon plants much less complicated!
Once your tree is safely out of its original container, carefully dig a hole that is big enough to accommodate its root ball. Fill this space with potting soil and gently pack its growing medium around its roots – water the plant to settle its soil before watering the planting site regularly as necessary.
Water
Meyer lemon trees require direct sunlight and ample water for proper growth, yet are relatively heat tolerant. When growing outdoors, nighttime temperatures must stay above 50 F for the trees to thrive outdoors in their environment; in spring gradually introduce them back outside by gradually increasing time spent outdoors daily. Indoor Meyer lemon trees should receive plenty of natural light and be misted regularly in order to retain moisture levels.
Growing Meyer lemons in containers requires using an equal mix of soil, potting mix and peat moss as planting media. Meyer lemon trees thrive best in loamy soil that drains well with an ideal pH range from 5.5-6.5 (mildly acidic to neutral).
Plant Meyer lemons in an area where they will receive at least six hours of sun per day, or indoors in a south-facing window if possible. If necessary, an grow lamp can supplement their amount of daylight.
Meyer lemon trees require regular pruning in order to stay healthy and productive. Any dead or diseased branches should be cut back to their source; any branches growing inwards or crossing each other should also be cut back, along with any water sprouts growing at bud unions (the angle between leaf and stem), which waste nutrients and may result in poorer quality fruit production. To further keep Meyer lemon trees healthy and productive, gourmands – long thick branches that appear within its canopy quickly consuming energy and nutrients quickly should also be pruned away as soon as they appear.
Soil
Meyer lemons thrive best when planted in well-draining soil, free of weeds and with sufficient drainage. Once planted, keep the area free of weeds while adding compost or manure as the tree becomes established. When growing Meyer lemons in containers choose a well-draining potting mix and water regularly so as to maintain moist but not soggy top inch of soil moisture content. Follow instructions on package for citrus tree fertilizer application and position container where sunlight shines directly upon it or supplement as necessary with grow lights if necessary. Meyer lemon trees thrive best under full sunlight exposure so positioning container into full sun locations is important if possible or supplementing grow light assistance may also be beneficial in aiding their development.
Meyer lemon trees tend to be hardery than their Eureka and Lisbon counterparts, meaning that they can withstand cooler temperatures for longer. Young ones should still be brought indoors if temperatures regularly dip below 20 degrees Fahrenheit; then gradually introduce them back outside over several days until spring arrives and bring back outside in increments for extended periods of time each day.
When the leaves on a Meyer lemon tree become yellow, this could indicate either inadequate sunlight exposure or nutritional deficiency. A lack of sunlight can result in wilted leaves; while too much water could lead to internal damage. Use a soil moisture meter to accurately determine what amount is required.
Citrus plants attract various pests, such as whiteflies, rust mites, aphids and mealybugs. Look out for signs of infestation on the underside of leaves and fruit. For citrus trees in pots or containers: add 1 tablespoon of magnesium sulphate (Epsom salts) once every month when watering their potted tree to help control pests while decreasing symptoms associated with nutritional deficiency; in dry winter months mist the foliage frequently to increase humidity levels and prevent spider mite infestation.
Humidity
Meyer lemons require direct, bright sunlight for optimal flavor and egg-yolk yellow coloring, or near an east or south-facing window or under an indoor growing light to provide them with all their photosynthetic benefits. If it is too cold to grow them outdoors, locate them near such windows or set up an indoor growing light to achieve the same photosynthesis benefits.
Meyer citrus plants tend to be fairly pest-free, though aphids, whiteflies, rust mites, and mealybugs may still occasionally attack. An organic horticultural oil such as neem can help control pests that appear; an insecticidal spray or copper fungicide will prevent leaf spots and rot.
As Meyer lemon trees are self-fertile, they don’t rely on bees or insects for pollination; however, if you bring them inside to avoid frost you might need to hand pollinate some blossoms with a paintbrush or Q-tip, gently moving pollen from stamens to stigma.
If humidity levels in your area are lacking, use a humidifier or mist the leaves with a water bottle daily to add more ambient moisture. A pebble tray underneath your plant could also help increase humidity – just be careful not to overwater, as too much moisture could lead to root rot.
When repotting your Meyer, choose a container with drainage holes and citrus-specific soil. If growing the tree in a container, make sure it can hold at least five gallons. Remove any dead or diseased foliage before pruning to encourage branch growth; additionally thin out ground-level branches to allow air circulation in the center of the plant.
Pruning
Meyer lemons thrive in warmer climates and are popular low-maintenance container plants both outdoors and indoors. Though more cold-tolerant than lemons grown in the ground, Meyers still require direct sunlight with protected soil in order to establish and produce fruit. If growing them in pots, rotate every three weeks so all leaves and branches have equal access to sunlight. Also keep away from heating vents which could dry out leaves quickly while creating an environment where spider mites could damage leaves, stems, or fruit; misting the foliage with water or applying horticultural/organic neem oil may help with mite infestation; alternatively misting foliage with water can help as could misting, as may misting using misting techniques or organic neem oil may help too!
Young Meyer lemon trees should be pruned regularly after planting to encourage side shoots and maintain a full canopy, cutting back any dead or dying branches and trimming away twiggy growth. As your tree matures, thin the canopy by pruning non-fruiting branches growing straight up; just be careful not to prune too deeply! Southern California lemon groves commonly prune down their trees down to stumps for control and strength purposes while gardeners in cooler climates should take caution when pruning Meyers.
Although Meyer lemon trees are self-fertile, pollination remains essential to producing fruitful trees. If growing indoors with no insects pollination opportunities may be limited; manually pollinate with paintbrush or Q-tip and brush from flower to flower using paintbrush or Q-tip is one method. If growing indoors it becomes even more crucial since stagnant air means pollenation opportunities may be diminished further.
