Meyer lemon trees are voracious feeders and require ample nutrients. A slow-releasing fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and sulfur/magnesium could be ideal if your soil’s PH levels are of concern.
Jack’s Classic Citrus Feed is one such product which won’t lead to soil burning and should be applied every 2-3 months for maximum benefit.
Ammonium Sulfate
Lemon trees can be finicky when it comes to fertilization, but there is one type of fertilizer that works with most lemon trees: ammonium sulfate. These fertilizers typically have higher nitrogen contents than either phosphorous or potassium and can help promote vigorous growth. Ammonium sulfate fertilizers also contribute to lowering soil PH levels, an essential factor when planting lemon trees because they thrive best in slightly acidic environments. Furthermore, ammonium sulfate can be applied foliar spray style; that is mixed with water and directly applied onto lemon tree leaves as a spray to correct deficiencies quickly while simultaneously decreasing leaching risk into groundwater supplies.
Ammonium sulfate can be applied either as granules or liquid. As a general guideline, new lemon trees should receive one pound of ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) each year between March, April, May, and June to provide their young tree with enough nitrogen for establishment and fruit production. This will allow them to thrive.
Apply ammonium sulfate near the trunk of a lemon tree without risking burning its roots. One effective strategy for doing so is applying fertilizer inside its drip line – where rainwater drips off of its canopy into a container on its way downhill from there.
Granular ammonium sulfate can also be mixed with water to form a foliar spray and applied accordingly. Foliar spraying can be beneficial to lemon trees because it quickly corrects nutrient deficiencies more quickly than soil applications while also helping prevent leaf disease and insect infestations. There are numerous citrus foliar spray options available – just read through all labels carefully and follow all application instructions to use one successfully.
Correcting nutrient deficiencies in lemon trees may also be achieved with the aid of foliar fertilizers containing iron chelate or other micronutrients, which can be applied as needed or when signs of deficiency (distorted or discolored new growth) appear. These can be sprayed onto their leaves whenever deficiencies or signs of deficiency arise, for instance when new growth becomes discolored or distortion appears.
Blood Meal
Blood meal is an organic fertilizer commonly used to amend soil, particularly acidic-loving plants like citrus trees. Blood meal’s slow release nutrient delivery system benefits lemon trees by providing constant nutrition throughout their growing seasons and also deters unwanted pests such as deer and rabbits from attacking your garden and crop production.
Lemon trees are heavy feeders and should be fed a high-nitrogen fertilizer at least three times annually to promote optimal fruit production. Synthetic nitrogen-based fertilizers may cause leaf burn; organic slow release fertilizers are safer alternatives and will allow for the tree’s healthiest fruits.
Citrus fertilizers like Miracle-Gro’s Shake ‘N Feed Citrus, Avocado & Mango Plant Food are ideal for use on lemon trees as they supply essential nitrogen in an easily absorbable form that the roots can use. In addition, their formula also contains phosphorous and potassium that help stimulate blooming and fruiting growth.
Your choice of fertilizer should depend on the results of a soil test. If it indicates that nitrogen levels in your soil are lacking, blood meal or ammonium sulfate would likely be suitable choices; otherwise bone meal or well-rotted compost may be more suitable options.
At the core of lemon tree care is providing adequate sunlight – both indoor and outdoor plants should receive at least six hours per day of direct sunlight. Furthermore, moist but not saturated soil conditions must also be maintained; otherwise root rot can occur leading to stunted growth and reduced fruit production. Furthermore, any debris accumulation must be cleared away before applying diluted fosetyl-al or copper fungicide around the trunk to protect your tree against root rot or other fungal diseases that threaten its survival.
Fish Fertilizer
Meyer lemon trees thrive in warm climates, blossoming year-round when left outdoors. To maintain optimal results, these trees require regular fertilization from early spring until late summer; once blooms faded, feedings should be reduced to once every month or less to protect the tree against fungal infections that could damage leaves and fruit rot. Fertilization also helps protect against fungal infections that could otherwise rot these elements of your tree’s health; keeping its soil clean by clearing away dead twigs and branches and pruning for air circulation will help prevent this from happening; spray your tree or fruit with horticultural or neem oil to eliminate pests while copper fungicide can help any affected areas of bark against fungal infections caused by fungal infections caused by fungal infections or copper fungicide for added protection against fungal attacks!
Fish fertilizer is the go-to choice for citrus trees, providing both nitrogen and phosphorous. While various ratios exist for this fertilizer type, for optimal performance it should have a pH lower than fish emulsion or hydrolyzed fish so the plants can use its nutrients effectively.
Most citrus tree fertilizers typically include high levels of nitrogen to promote overall growth and foliage health, yet may lack in either phosphorous or potassium. When selecting fertilizers for your lemon tree, look for one with an NPK rating similar to that of your soil; for example if your soil has an NPK ratio of 5-1-1 then look for fertilizers with higher percentages of nitrogen over phosphorous and potassium.
Ammonium phosphate is another popular citrus tree fertilizer. As its fast-release formula provides immediate nourishment to your tree, ammonium phosphate will quickly replenish it’s essential nutrients if applied alongside too much nitrogen in soil conditions. But similar to ammonium sulfate it can cause root burn if added together at once with too much fertilizer applied simultaneously.
Foliar fertilization can also help your lemon tree thrive. By spraying foliar fertilizer on its leaves, this type of fertilizer quickly corrects nutrient deficiencies faster than soil-applied ones and leaches less into groundwater than root fertilizers.
Organic Fertilizer
Organic fertilizers are made from natural ingredients and tend to be more costly than their synthetic counterparts, but are better for the environment and gentler on plant roots. Organic fertilizers often contain essential trace and micronutrients necessary for citrus trees’ wellbeing; additionally, these low nitrogen content versions make ideal companions.
When choosing an organic fertilizer for Meyer lemon trees, look for liquid or slow-release granular options designed specifically to benefit citrus plants. Aim for one with a 5-1-3 or higher ratio and ensure it contains both phosphorous and potassium as well as any source of organic matter such as bone meal or blood meal as well as sulfur for additional benefits.
Not only should you choose an appropriate fertilizer, but it’s equally essential to give your lemon tree a healthy growing environment. Begin by selecting an area warm enough for its development; plant in loamy or sandy soil rich with drainage holes for drainage; ensure the top inch remains moist but not soggy, and aim for pH levels between 5.5-6.5 when planting your tree.
Next, mist your lemon tree several times each day or place it in a pebble tray filled with water to increase humidity levels. Indoors, you may wish to increase humidity by using a humidifier or placing your pot by a sunny window that does not get drafty.
No matter if your lemon tree is grown outdoors or in a container, fertilizing it at least three times each year – once each January/February, March/April and August/September should do. For faster growth start applying fertilizer twice monthly starting June; too much fertilizer could burn and harm its growth. In late September remove any fruit which hasn’t fully ripened so as to maintain an abundance of fruit on your tree and encourage larger fruit next season.