When it comes to fertilizing a lemon tree, timing is of the utmost importance. Knowing when and how often to fertilize your lemon tree can make the difference between a healthy specimen and a neglected one. The best time to fertilize a lemon tree is after its period of flowering and fruiting has finished. This time period may differ depending on the variety of lemon tree you own. Generally, the best time to fertilize a lemon tree is in late spring or early summer.
However, a healthy lemon tree doesn’t just require fertilization. The tree will require regular irrigation and weekly mulching during this time to ensure its health. The frequency of irrigation may increase in the dry months if temperatures reach above 30 degrees as lemon trees are prone to dehydration. Furthermore, a lemon tree needs to be pruned appropriately. This serves to remove any dead or damaged branches and shape the tree to encourage added fruit. Pruning should be done three to four times throughout the year.
It is important to note that over-fertilizing should be avoided as this can lead to a nutrient deficiency or a nutrient overload in the tree. To prevent this, it is best to feed a lemon tree in small doses such as a single teaspoon of granular fertilizer per foot of the tree’s height. Citrus trees are often ‘heavy feeders’ so a good quality fertilizer should be found. This fertilizer should contain a blend of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash, as well as a range of secondary micro-nutrients. Also, it is important to ensure the fertilizer is applied to the soil surface and not poured directly onto the tree’s roots.
In addition, a soil test should be done prior to fertilization to determine if the soil needs to be amended. A few examples of an amendment are gypsum, iron chelates, and lime. If the soil is found to be acidic, a soil amendment such as lime will need to be added. Lime raises the soil pH which can enable vital micronutrients to be absorbed by the root system. After applying the soil amendment to the planting area, a good fertilizer should be added to provide the soil with essential nutrients.
Finally, citrus feed applications are often essential to ensure a good yield. These feeds are often referred to as foliar feeds, and need to be applied three to four times in the growing season. As well as providing general nutrition, foliar feeds also help to prevent blossom end rot, a common fungal disease in citrus. To apply the feed, it should be mixed with a little water and applied directly to the leaves of the tree.
What are Soil Amendments?
Soil amendments are organic or inorganic materials that are added to soil to improve its fertility. The addition of organic material such as manure, compost and mulch can improve soil porosity, aeration and water-holding capacity. In turn, this can improve a lemon tree’s ability to absorb and access nutrients in the soil. Inorganic soil amendments include gypsum, lime, fertilizer and iron chelates, which help to improve the nutrient balance of the soil. Lime can be used to correct an acidic soil, whereas gypsum helps to reduce issues related to salt concentration in the soil. Iron chelates are often added to counteract iron deficiency in a lemon tree, as this can prevent yellowing of the leaves.
What Should I Avoid in Fertilizing?
When fertilizing a lemon tree, there are a few things to avoid to ensure the health of the tree. Firstly, there should be no root disturbance during fertilization; fertilizer should be applied lightly to the soil surface and then watered in to ensure it can be absorbed. Secondly, fertilizer shouldn’t be used too often as this can cause a nutrient overload in the tree, instead it should be used sparingly and in small doses. Thirdly, fertilizer should not be applied when the tree is already suffering from a nutrient deficiency. Finally, it is important to avoid any pruning or soil stirring during the late summer or autumn months to ensure the flower buds don’t fall off the tree.
What are Some Benefits of Fertilizing?
Fertilizing a lemon tree can bring several benefits for its health and productivity. Fertilizing encourages root growth which improves the tree’s access to vital nutrients and water in the soil. A healthier root system can lead to increased flowering and fruiting, as well as improved overall health. As well as increased productivity, fertilizing can also help to improve the lemon tree’s resistance to disease. A healthy and balanced concentration of nutrients in the soil can help to prevent fungal diseases such as blossom end rot.
What are Some Nutrient Diseases?
Nutrient deficiencies can eventually lead to a range of diseases in a lemon tree. Of these diseases, citrus chlorosis is a common issue, caused by a lack of iron in the soil. Symptoms of citrus chlorosis include yellowing between the veins of the lemon tree’s leaves, as well as a loss of vigor and yield. Citrus nematode is another common issue, and is caused by a heavy population of nematodes within the soil. Citrus nematode can cause premature fruit dropping, as well as leaf curl and yellowing.
How Can I Prevent Nutrient Deficiencies?
The simplest way to prevent nutrient deficiencies in a lemon tree is to fertilize it correctly and regularly. As previously mentioned, a quality fertilizer should be used for optimum health of the tree. Also, a soil test should be done prior to fertilization to determine if amendments should be added to the soil. If a nutrient deficiency is already showing signs, the soil should be amended with products such as gypsum, lime or iron chelates, to help enhance the nutrient composition of the soil. Lastly, a foliar feed can be added to supplement the nutrients already in the soil and improve the tree’s health.
When Should I Apply Foliar Feed?
Foliar feed is often used in conjunction with soil fertilization to improve the health of a lemon tree and its production. Foliar feed is applied directly to the leaves of a tree via a liquid spray and can supplement any nutrients found in the soil. Foliar feed should be applied during the growing season, generally three to four times throughout the year. This helps to maximize yield, as well as protect the tree from nutrient diseases such as blossom end rot.
