Meyermike was a great help to me when I got my new Meyer Lemon tree a few weeks ago, and suggested that I post here about getting, planting, and then attempting to grow my first tree. That sounded like great fun, so I hope you'll join me on this new adventure! None of the pictures will be great this time because the good camera is in Houston, but the next set should be much better.

I purchased my tree from Four Winds and it it arrived looking like this:

Considering that it had traveled across the country (literally, since it went from California to Massachusetts), I thought it looked great. The size was a bit disappointing, though. I purchased the three-year-old tree, and the tree they advertized was quite a bit bigger and fuller than what I received. You can see the three sizes of trees they offer posted below for comparison. Still, I plan on buying from them again, no question.

When I removed the bag and the wood chips they use for shipping the roots looked thus:

I immediately put the tree in warm water to soak for half an hour before planting. Yes, that's a garbage can... We're all about multitaskers here.

As it soaked, I got my stuff together, including my pot and 5-1-1 mix very kindly provided by Meyermike (thanks, Mike, you're amazing!).

And a blurry close-up of the 5-1-1 mix:

Once it was done soaking, I mounded up some of the mix in the bottom, stuffed a big hand-full of the mix into the root ball and then planted it, making sure to work the mix into the roots. In the process of planting/destroying my living room:

I then watered it heavily until the water ran out the bottom. Over the next two weeks I kept it in the shade and dappled light as it transitioned. Over the last week or so I've been leaving it in the sun more.

For the most part things are going pretty well. I'm getting some yellow leaves on the bottom, but I haven't been using Foliage Pro yet (it arrives this week). I'm hoping that that takes care of it. There is no sign of anything but leaves yet, but the new growth is taking off and flourishing. Updated pictures coming soon.

After much thought and consideration, I decided to name her Lovely Lemon. Friend and family now ask about her by name, which makes me think that a) I have really patient friends and family and b) I need to spend more time here to give them a break from tree chatter.

Thanks so much for reading, and thank you in advance for the advice I'm sure to need over the coming months and years. It will be great to have you all along for the ride.

Lovely Lemon happily planted,if still a little crooked in the pot:

MSUgrl

I am in total shock! I forgot you were going to post, especially with all you have been through and your schedule! I am so proud of you. What a good job and boy does it look great! I love the looks of your tree and the roots are huge! How in the world do they get them that big!? And in a container!
There is something they are not telling me. I think I owe them another call.lol

Oh, we will stay on the journey with you and yes I will enjoy this. I love the name you gave her. You can tree chat all you want here.lol
It was a pleasure meeting you that day and you know you are welcomed here anytime. In fact, I just may need you if I should ever go away:-)

It is a bit small for what they said, but GREEN and HEALTHY! That is what is important. Hey I am going to link you to my latest thread at the House Plants Forums and I would love you to take part there. I wanted to share many of my plants there.

I think your tree will do great, especially when you get the Foliage Pro, and don't forget the vinegar since you will probably be using faucet water with most waterings.

Love that pot too! Thank you for sharing and what a nice surprise to see before heading to bed.:-)))))

Please, keep posting and more pics, please"-)

Msugrl! Nice! Your tree is a beauty too! I posted on your thread again:-)

Mike

MSUgrl

Patty S.

I'm hoping the yellow leaves aren't a symptom of root rot. She got left out in the rain once soon after being planted, and it took her a long time to dry out, even with the 5-1-1 mix and wicks. Those roots are too impressive to mess up--I'd feel horrible. Is it damaging to the plant to un-pot it for a few minutes to check the roots? I don't want to stunt growth, but I'm a bit paranoid. The dowel method tells me that it's fairly dry now, but the bottom half and inch or so always seems a bit muddy. I have been bringing her in out of the rain recently, so as not to over-water.

I would be happy to plant-sit if you need me to; just let me know. And yes, you have excellent taste in pots! :-)

Olympia, you know me too well already. It is possible I bring her in some nights when I'm reading just to admire her. :-) It is nice to have plants when you live alone. Somehow it feels a bit like having company (though I'm quite happy living without human company at this point). Oh, thank you! Yes, I read Rand for the first time Jr. year of high school, and still have a sentimental attachment to The Fountainhead, even though I now find her philosophy a bit of a disaster.

It is a Four Winds tree, Patty, and they did such a nice job with it. That's a good idea to post it to their Facebook page. It's always nice to encourage business who are doing excellent work.

Call you later:-) Don't worry about a thing. Everything sounds fine and normal. That mis is what I use and it is drying out in a good amount of time. It will not stay wet, just moist.
I'll explain wooden dowels to you. No need to unpot:-)

Mike

Lovely Lemon has now been here for about a month and a half, so I thought it time for an update. We lost some leaves at the beginning, so in some ways she's a bit thinner than she was, but now she's starting to grow again, and the new growth that was there when I got her has flourished. Do your expert eyes see anything that might be a problem? I'm sure when you look at a tree, you see lots of things I don't.

Thanks for looking, and thanks for the continued inspiration as you post pictures and stories of your lovely lemons, limes, etc.

I'm guessing that you have the Foliage Pro by now, yes?
Are you regularly fertilizing at full strength?

As for Fountainhead....Junior year American English for me, too :-)

Josh

I do have Foliage Pro now, and I use it along with vinegar per Mike's instructions. She was getting a lot of rain for a while, so I was trying to balance the need for her to dry out a bit after heavy natural watering with the need to fertilize regularly. I think I'm starting to get the hang of it a bit better, but there are still some yellow tips on some of the leaves.

My goodness! It looks great for a tree you completely had bare rooted and potted up again just a few months ago. I am very happy with your results and desire to do a good job!

Now, that you have the citrus fever, just like I said, lol, you will be looking for another.......But I would wait until you get through a winter with one so you can get the hang of it and reward your good endeavors with another.

Remember, I am still; learning to be successful with the Meyer lemon in particular after all these years with my good friends here. I do know that the yellowing you have is common with completely changing a plants growing pattern into a gritty mix, and that once it really takes and starts utilizing the nutrients you are giving, the new leaves will be very green!

It's the new growth I am watching carefully and so far so good:-)

Did you ever get the Fish Emulsion?

Mike

I haven't gotten Fish Emulsion, but I will now. Is there a brand you recommend, or is just any fish emulsion okay? It was so nice seeing you today!

Rebecca

Thank you for the kind words, although none of it would of been possible without knowing people like Rhizo and Al/Tapla and a few others here.

The Fish Emuslion I get is the one called Neptunes Harvest. It is cold pressed and very natural.
If you ever should need me to pick one up for you, let me know or we can go together:-)

Mike

Yes, Mike, I haven't been here much, but I'm always glad to stop by...and if you don't happen
to see me, just shoot me an e-mail saying, "Hey, get over to Citrus, there's a Thread to read!" ;-)

Rebecca, it was Mike who got me growing Citrus, too. It started with a Moro Blood Orange....
and then all of a sudden my collection was expanded with a Ponderosa Lemon, hehehe. I'm glad of
the Ponderosa, especially, because it is such a reliable bloomer! It is also the only citrus
that has fruited for me so far. If only I had a greenhouse...or more room to winter indoors.

Josh