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I purchased a 1 year old Meyer lemon grown from a cutting taken from a fruiting tree (picture attached).
It is currently in a 4-inch pot and is about 11-inches tall (from the level of the soil to the topmost leaf) - should i transplant it to a larger container? Quite a lot of roots were exposed on the surface of the soil when i got it (which i've now covered with multipurpose compost).
With regard to re-potting, what mixture should i use? An article in the Torygraph suggests 1/4 perlite with 3/4 John Innes' No. 2, and goes on to add that those living in hard water areas should neutralise/acidify tapwater with 2g citrate per 10L tapwater for watering, while another source recommends those living in hard water areas use an ericaceous compost, again, with perlite to aid drainage. I live in SE London, and if my faucets and kettle are anything to go buy, a very hard water area. Or, would a specialist citrus compost be best (do these tend to be supplemented for efficient drainage)? The confusion!
Also, with regard to long term management, should i use i specialised citrus feed (eg those designed for separate summer/winter use) or can i use something like Chempak No. 2 (high nitrogen, 25-15-15, enriched with trace elements) for the summer, and a balanced feed for the winter? I ask because Vitax summer citrus feed is 25-15-15, and the winter one is 20:20:20 (according to this product description, at least: Podington Direct, Online Garden Centre for Citrus Feed for Summer Use).
Finally, i would like a typical looking tree in the long-term (ie bare stem, bushy top) how would i go about achieving this with regard to pruning the tree, and when should i begin to do so?
Sorry, i've rambled on a bit! In summary:
1. Should i re-pot? If so, which size pot?
2. When re-potting, what compost is best?
3. Feeding: use a specialist citrus feed, or would a generic with equivalent NPK/minerals be all right?
4. How best to achieve a tree with a long, bare stem and bushy top?
Thanks so much for any advice.
It is currently in a 4-inch pot and is about 11-inches tall (from the level of the soil to the topmost leaf) - should i transplant it to a larger container? Quite a lot of roots were exposed on the surface of the soil when i got it (which i've now covered with multipurpose compost).
With regard to re-potting, what mixture should i use? An article in the Torygraph suggests 1/4 perlite with 3/4 John Innes' No. 2, and goes on to add that those living in hard water areas should neutralise/acidify tapwater with 2g citrate per 10L tapwater for watering, while another source recommends those living in hard water areas use an ericaceous compost, again, with perlite to aid drainage. I live in SE London, and if my faucets and kettle are anything to go buy, a very hard water area. Or, would a specialist citrus compost be best (do these tend to be supplemented for efficient drainage)? The confusion!
Also, with regard to long term management, should i use i specialised citrus feed (eg those designed for separate summer/winter use) or can i use something like Chempak No. 2 (high nitrogen, 25-15-15, enriched with trace elements) for the summer, and a balanced feed for the winter? I ask because Vitax summer citrus feed is 25-15-15, and the winter one is 20:20:20 (according to this product description, at least: Podington Direct, Online Garden Centre for Citrus Feed for Summer Use).
Finally, i would like a typical looking tree in the long-term (ie bare stem, bushy top) how would i go about achieving this with regard to pruning the tree, and when should i begin to do so?
Sorry, i've rambled on a bit! In summary:
1. Should i re-pot? If so, which size pot?
2. When re-potting, what compost is best?
3. Feeding: use a specialist citrus feed, or would a generic with equivalent NPK/minerals be all right?
4. How best to achieve a tree with a long, bare stem and bushy top?
Thanks so much for any advice.
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