Taking care of a Meyer Lemon Tree indoors is a rewarding experience. With the proper care, your Meyer Lemon Tree should thrive and bear plenty of fragrant lemon fruit. Here are some basic tips to get your tree off to a healthy start. First, invest in a pot and soil specifically designed for citrus plants. Citrus soil should be slightly acidic, so it’s best to use a pre-made citrus potting mix. Second, your tree needs plenty of sunlight, so choose a spot near a window or patio door, preferably one that receives ample and indirect sunlight throughout the day. Third, water your tree often to keep the soil moist, but avoid overwatering. Avoid drowning the tree and instead water it in cycles where the soil is allowed to dry out between waterings. Fourth, fertilize your Meyer Lemon Tree every six to eight weeks with balanced citrus fertilizer. Fifth, prune your lemon tree in the spring, removing any weak, overcrowded, or dead branches and any fruit that has dried or rotted from the previous year. Sixth, use insecticidal soap to eliminate any pests that might try to make your tree their new home. Seventh, spray dormant oil onto the leaves during the fall and winter months to protect them from cold and potential pests.
Providing Adequate Sunlight
Providing your Meyer Lemon Tree with adequate sunlight is essential to its growth and health. When choosing a spot to place your tree indoors, it’s best to select a spot near a window or patio door that receives plenty of indirect sunlight throughout the day. If the tree gets too much direct sunlight, it will scorch the leaves, leading to wilting and discoloration. It’s also important to rotate your tree regularly to ensure it gets an even amount of sunlight. You can also give your tree access to natural sunlight by moving it outdoors for a few hours a day.
Temperature and Humidity
Meyer Lemon trees need temperatures between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit, and slightly higher temperatures at night. Too much cold will cause the tree to shed its leaves, so if you’re concerned about freezing weather, you may want to move your tree indoors during the winter months. Additionally, Meyer Lemon Trees need high humidity. This can be achieved by misting the leaves of your tree with water every day or so, or placing your tree on a humidity tray.
Fertilizing and Pruning
Fertilizing your Meyer Lemon Tree is essential to help it stay healthy and produce plenty of fruit. Use a balanced citrus fertilizer every six to eight weeks. Additionally, pruning is important for your tree’s growth and health. Trim away any weak, overcrowded, or dead branches during the spring and any fruit that has dried or rotted from the previous year. This will encourage strong new growth.
Pest Control and Dormant Oil
When taking care of a Meyer Lemon Tree indoors, you may face the occasional pest problem. To protect your citrus tree from pests, use insecticidal soap to eliminate any that make your tree their home. Additionally, you should spray dormant oil onto the leaves of your tree in the fall and winter months to protect it from cold temperatures and potential pests.
Feeding your Tree
Feeding your Meyer Lemon Tree is important to keep it healthy and growing. During the growing season, follow the recommended feeding and fertilizing schedule to ensure that your tree gets the nutrients it needs. In the springtime, swap out your regular citrus fertilizer for a slow-release one. This will provide your tree with more regular nutrition throughout the season, resulting in healthier growth and more plentiful lemons.
Pruning Tips
When pruning your Meyer Lemon Tree, always use pruning shears that have been sterilized with rubbing alcohol. Begin removing any small leaves or branches which are dead, diseased, or are crossing over other branches. If the branch has small green shoots growing from the end, cut back to the shoot closest to the base of the branch. Always make sure to prune away any dead or diseased fruits, as this will help keep the rest of the fruit healthy.
Watering
Watering your Meyer Lemon tree is crucial to its growth and health. During the warmer months, water your tree regularly to keep the soil moist. However, avoid overwatering, as too much water can drown the tree and cause root rot. Instead, water the tree in cycles, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. In the winter months, water less often, as the tree’s growth slows and it’s less likely to need water.
