Growing a lemon tree in a pot is a great way to enjoy the delicious citrus fruit right in your own backyard. To promote the health and growth of your lemon tree, a regular fertilizing routine is essential. Here are the steps to properly fertilize a lemon tree in a pot.
Tools and Supplies Needed
Before fertilizing, you’ll need a few supplies to get the job done. A bag of organic fertilizer, a trowel, a garden hose and water source, safety glasses and gardening gloves are all important. Make sure to read the package labels and instructions of your fertilizer before fertilizing your lemon tree.
Assess Tree’s Needs
First, assess your lemon tree’s needs by familiarizing yourself with the plant’s growth. Are there signs of yellow leaves? Is the tree not flowering properly? Knowing what’s going on with the tree is essential in deciding the type of fertilizer and the amount to be applied.
Remove Weeds and Prune Tree
Weeds near the tree’s trunk can pose a threat to the health of your lemon tree. Carefully remove weeds with a trowel and be sure to get rid of them completely. Pruning the tree is also important when it comes to caring for a lemon tree in a pot. Cut off any dead or dying branches that aren’t producing foliage.
Find an Ideal Fertilizer
It’s important to find a fertilizer that matches the tree’s needs and is balanced in nutrients. Most organic fertilizers come with a mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that help provide the tree with its necessary nutrients. However, if your tree isn’t producing or flowering properly, a fertilizer specifically designed for fruit-bearing trees could be a better choice.
Fertilize the Tree According to Label Instructions
Make sure to read all the instructions on your fertilizer’s package before applying to the tree. Water the soil to ensure the fertilizer won’t burn the tree’s roots and always keep an eye on the soil’s moisture content. Water carefully after fertilizer is added to the soil.
Check Fertilizer Levels Regularly
Finally, don’t forget to check the fertilizing levels of your tree regularly. Being mindful of fertilizer levels throughout the year will ensure your tree is getting all the nutrients it needs. Keeping an eye on the soil’s moisture content is also important to prevent over-fertilizing.
Using Natural Alternatives
Natural alternatives to traditional fertilizers such as compost, manure or compost tea can also be used to fertilize your lemon tree. Compost and manure will provide nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, while compost tea has the added benefit of providing beneficial microorganisms to the soil. Make sure to follow all instructions carefully when using these natural alternatives.
Adding Trace Elements and Minerals
In addition to fertilizers, adding trace elements and minerals to the soil will help promote your lemon tree’s health. These trace elements and minerals can help the tree absorb existing nutrients from the soil and increase its growth. Calcium and magnesium are the most important trace elements to add, but other trace elements such as zinc, manganese, iron and copper can be added too.
Protecting Against Fertilizer Burn
Applying too much fertilizer is a common mistake and can cause severe damage to your lemon tree’s health. To avoid fertilizer burn, only use the exact amount of fertilizer stated on the label and thoroughly soil test your Lemon tree’s soil to analyze its pH and nutrient levels.
Frequency Of Fertilization
Depending on the age and size of your tree, you should fertilize your lemon tree a few times each year. For best results, fertilize your tree in early spring before the fruit-producing season begins. Again fertilize in the fall after the fruiting season has ended. This will help to maintain the tree’s health and promote new fruit growth.
Using Foliar Feeding
Foliar feeding, which involves applying fertilizer directly to the leaves of the tree, is an effective way of boosting fruit production. A mix of liquid fertilizer, water and a surfactant should be applied several times during the fruiting season. Ensure that you don’t apply too much fertilizer directly to the leaves as this can burn the foliage.
Application Of Fertilizer
When applying fertilizer, be sure to scatter it around the tree in a circular motion. Avoid applying the fertilizer too close to the tree’s trunk and always water after it is applied. Fertilizer should also be applied before watering the citrus tree as the soil should already be damp before fertilizer is added.
Keeping The Soil Moist
It’s essential to keep the soil moist so the roots can absorb the fertilizer. Using a garden hose or sprinkler to water the soil thoroughly at least once a week is recommended. As the tree grows, increase the amount of water accordingly to avoid over-watering.
Using Slow-Release Fertilizers
Slow-release fertilizers are a great option for long-term nutrition of your lemon tree. These fertilizers are designed to slowly release nutrients over a period of time, allowing the tree’s roots to absorb everything it needs gradually. Compared to traditional fertilizer, slow-release fertilizer reduces the risk of over-fertilization and burning of the tree’s roots.
