Planting a lemon tree, whether from seed or nursery-bought cutting, is a great way to enjoy the sweet and tart flavor of freshly cut lemons in the comfort of your garden. But is it possible to replant a lemon tree?
The answer is, yes you can replant a lemon tree. With a bit of care and attention, a lemon tree that’s encountered a transplant shock can be successfully replanted. It’s a fairly straightforward process, but one that needs to be done with care. Step one is to prune the tree of any dead or diseased branches or leaves.
The next step is to remove the tree from its pot, taking care not to damage the roots. Pruning the roots if necessary, can also help to ensure a successful replanting. To replant, select a pot with drainage holes and a suitable soil medium. Planting an upright tree should be done in a pot no larger than 10 gallons, so the tree can’t become root-bound. For a vigorous root system, choose a sandy loam soil.
With the pot prepared, carefully fill it with the soil medium and gently replant the tree. Firmly pressing the soil around the base of the tree will ensure it remains upright. Once your tree is replanted, it should be watered thoroughly until the top two inches of soil feels damp.
A lemon tree that’s undergone transplant shock requires special care and attention. You’ll want to monitor the amount of light and water it receives afterwards. Lemon trees that receive too much or too little water can become much more susceptible to disease and develop chlorosis, an iron deficiency. You’ll also want to fertilize your replanted lemon tree as soon as it’s settled in its new pot, with a balanced fertilizer.
When you’re considering replanting a lemon tree, it’s important to take time and be careful. With a few simple steps, you can ensure a successful replant that will make the most of any fruits borne by your lemon tree.
Irrigation Practices for Replanting a Lemon Tree
Timely irrigation of your replanted lemon tree is an important step to ensure that it stays healthy. Lemon trees should be watered regularly and consistently, but should not be allowed to stand in excess water as this can damage the root system. After the initial replanting and heavy watering, lemon trees should be watered every few days in dry climates, while in moist climates they can be watered weekly or every two weeks.
It is also important to monitor the moisture of the soil when preparing to irrigate. You can check the soil with a stick or trowel and if it feels dry to the touch, it’s time to water. During the heavy fruiting stage, water will be required more frequently to keep the tree healthy. Overall, it’s important to exercise caution when watering, ensuring you’re not over or under watering your lemon tree.
Fertilization Practices for Replanting a Lemon Tree
Fertilizing a lemon tree prior to replanting it is essential for health, as these trees can be prone to nitrogen deficiencies. Prior to replanting, add a nitrogen solution with a daytime temperature between 80 and 85 degrees. Opt for a fertilizer such as a time-released liquid nitrogen one, which is applied to the soil once every two weeks for best results. After replanting, use a balanced water-soluble granular fertilizer twice per month.
It is important to keep in mind that the type of fertilizer used affects the pH level of the soil, which has a direct effect on the health of the lemon tree. A balanced fertilizer should be used with a pH level below 7.0. An unbalanced fertilizer can damage the roots, producing a lemon tree that is more susceptible to diseases and pests.
Protecting a Replanted Lemon Tree from Pests and Diseases
When replanting a lemon tree, it’s important to protect it from pests and diseases. Lemon trees can be prone to the citrus nematode, which is a tiny worm-like creature that feeds on the root system of the lemon tree. To prevent infection from the nematode, it is important to do periodic root examinations and use products such as insecticides, fungicides and nematicides to keep them at bay.
Lemon trees can also be susceptible to certain fungal diseases, such as scab, greasy spot, brown rot, melon spot and alternaria blight. These diseases can infect the leaves and fruits of the lemon tree and can cause serious damage. To prevent fungal infections, ensure that your tree is properly pruned and is receiving sufficient amounts of water, light and fertilizer. Additionally, fungicides and copper fungicides can be used to prevent fungal disease.
Encouraging New Growth in a Replant Lemon Tree
Encouraging new growth in a replanted lemon tree can be done through the careful selection of soil, light, and the application of fertilizers. Lemon trees prefer sandy, loam soil with good drainage capabilities. Additionally, lemon trees should be situated in a location that receives full sunlight for six hours or more per day. A neutral soil pH of 6.5-7.5 is ideal for lemon tree growth.
Fertilization plays an important role in encouraging growth in a replanted lemon tree. Trees that have experienced a transplant shock may require extra fertilizer in the form of a balanced water-soluble granular fertilizer or a nitrogen fertilizer. Additionally, organic fertilizers such as manure can be used to encourage growth.
Pruning a Replant Lemon Tree
Pruning a replanted lemon tree should be done with much care. As lemon trees tend to grow rapidly, it is important to trim away dead or diseased branches and excess growth. Pruning also helps to promote new growth and encourages a strong, healthy root system. The best time to prune a lemon tree is in late winter before spring bloom. Cutting too close to the trunk or too late in the spring can result in damage and stunted growth.
Additionally, the density of pruning should be adjusted to the age of the tree. Trees less than three years old should be lightly pruned, whereas older trees can withstand a more intensive pruning. If your lemon tree has any branches that are too dense, they can be thinned to allow more light penetration and eliminate any chances of disease. For a more extensive overview of lemon tree pruning, consult an expert to help you.
