Repotting a Lemon Tree

[starloc]

I have found that using perlite the compost sometimes seems wetter, im not sure why it would but it does

with the citrus compost I would add equal amounts of garden center grit/sand to make it drain better, this mix seems fine as long as you are carefull with watering

When you repot a citrus tree, even if very small they are always happier with root pruning especially if using something soil based they need to grow into quickly to prevent root rot, dont bother with all the pulling roots out, just be brutal with a knife and lop the sides off, every time they are chopped they shoot many more roots from further back down the root so every one chopped many many more grow

Only repot them in warm weather so the roots are active

I take the plant out of the pot and using a sharp non serrated kitchen knife I take between 5mm and 10mm off the sides of the roots all around and chop about 10mm of the bottom of the rootball ( dont disturb the top of the roots )
Then use the new compost and pack a bit underneath and put the plant onto it firmly and then put it round the sides firmly with a bit of wood dowel, the top needs to be level with the old top that is there around the tree ,top roots exposed slightly is good with citrus, never bury them

Within a few hours of chopping new roots have formed and within a few days some will be at the sides of the pot, they grow quickly, far better than trying to pull the roots out of the root ball when they circle the pot

[Dragonhill]

I also have a question about repotting a citrus plant - in my case a kumquat (citrus japonica) that we were given last weekend.

It is about 2 foot tall, covered in fruit and has very dull looking leaves (at least compared with my kaffir lime). Am I right in thinking that healthy citrus plants have shiny leaves? The plastic pot that the kumquat is in feels extremely heavy and has moss growing on the top. It's been standing outside since we got it and I haven't watered it.

Should I repot it urgently, or give it time to recover from being bought and moved? I put the lime in a mixture (maybe 60:40) of citrus compost and orchid bark chips, is this ok, or would it be better to put some coarse sand in?

[starloc]

Orchid bark chips are good, slightly more bark chips than compost, I wouldnt bother with the sand in the mix, but as long as its mixed in well a small amount will make it drain a bit faster.

I have many plants in the heavy soil mix, as long as you let it dry out well between watering it does work, they usually come with moss on them as long as you can keep them out of the rain and they get full sun, in the summer they will grow fine, dont let it stand in water ever with this type of potting mix

The pot is probably very heavy not only due to the compost, its probably very root bound to make it flower, thy wont flower a lot unless root bound they look better with loads off fruit for sale

How bad are its leaves, are they dropping , drooping , folding lengthways or crossways, or just dull, can you post a picture?

it may just be dirt on the leaves, or last years leaves, or just too cold for it, they often arent as shiny as people say in books for one reason or another

[Dragonhill]

Thanks Starloc. Here's a picture (hopefully - have never tried to upload one before). The leaves do look dirty - is sticking a citrus tree under the shower a no-no, then?!?

What temperatures do kumquats like? I assumed this plant would be hardier than my kaffir lime which I only put out on sunny days, but we are having lows of 7 deg some nights.

[Dragonhill]

Nope, can't seem to upload a pic atm.

[Dragonhill]

Trying again using browser...

[starloc]

It looks like dirt on the leaves, maybe fertiliser or insecticide residue, insecticides often have sunflower oil and that looks like what it is.

When the leaves roll slightly like that in cold weather it is the roots low activity due to temperature, its not a real problem with warmer weather it will be fine

You could leave it out in the rain to clean it , put a plastic bag round the trunk loose over the pot so the compost can breathe , if it rains the water doesnt soak the compost, heavy rain should help to clean it

The problem with showering it is the tap water, if it has chlorine in the tap water ?

Use a pump up pressure garden spray and blast it with water that has been left to stand overnight, just keep the water off the compost with a bag first, give it a spray and then come back to it 10 minutes later after the dirt is wet and respray.