As an academic expert, I understand why your lemon tree may not be growing. There are several potential causes and solutions that need to be explored in order to identify why your lemon tree isn’t flourishing. Likely, you’ve encountered any of the following issues.
Firstly, lemon trees need lots of sun. If your tree doesn’t get enough sunshine, it may not be getting enough vitamins and nutrients for it to grow and produce healthy fruits. Ensure that your lemon tree gets 6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day, in an area that is open, sunny and warm.
Secondly, your lemon tree may be overwatered, which is another cause of why it may not be thriving. Lemon trees, when it comes to watering, require a strict regimen. Give it enough water to keep the soil moist, but not overly soggy. Too much water can lead to root rot, which will kill your lemon tree.
Thirdly, another cause of why your lemon tree may not grow is a lack of nutrients. The soil in which your lemon tree is planted in needs to be rich in compost to ensure its healthy growth. This compost mix should be applied once a week to the soil, fertilizing it and supplying your lemon tree with the nutrient it needs.
Fourthly, ensure that you’re pruning your lemon tree regularly. Pruning helps shape and groom the tree, helping it grow better. Gently and carefully trim the trees roots and branches to promote the tree’s healthy growth.
Fifthly, watch out for pests. Citrus trees such as the lemon tree have several pests that can harm them; scale, mites, and thrips are a few. Applying a horticultural oil to the tree should take care of the pests.
Lastly, dealing with disease can be another cause of why your lemon tree isn’t growing. Regularly check up on your tree and contact your local county extension office if you see any signs of disease.
Temperature Requirements
The temperature requirements of lemon trees is also often overlooked, which can lead to lemon trees not flourishing as it should. Lemon trees require a temperature of at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit for it to not only grow but also to produce fruits. During the process of photosynthesis, the lemon tree needs to be warm enough for the fructose to be easily produced for it to thrive.
Additionally, lemon trees may also be exposed to temperatures that are too high. Temperatures that go above 90 degrees Fahrenheit during mid to late summer can cause leaves to burn or develop brown spots. Provide your lemon tree with enough shade or cover during the hot summer months.
Container Size
If you’ve opted to plant your lemon tree in a container, then the size of the container can also be to blame for why your lemon tree isn’t thriving. The larger the container, the more soil and roots your lemon tree will have. Ensure that the container you’ve planted it in is at least 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide.
Pay attention to the soil mix too. As mentioned earlier, lemon trees require a soil mix that is rich in compost. If the soil mix isn’t correct or you’ve opted to use regular soil, then this could also be a factor why your lemon tree isn’t growing.
Location
Lastly, consider checking the location you’ve planted your lemon tree in. Lemon trees require a draft-free and sheltered place to be in for it to properly grow. Locations that are too windy or exposed could end up damaging the tree and lead to it not growing as well as it should.
Also ensure that the lemon tree is planted in an area with plenty of room. Lemon trees can grow up to 20 ft. tall and wide, so make sure you’ve chosen an area that can accommodate this size.
Pest Management
As mentioned earlier, pests can be hard on your lemon tree. It’s important to manage any pests that appear on the tree to ensure that it remains healthy. Scout your tree every week to keep an eye out and implement proper pest management including using a horticultural soap or oil if necessary.
Using yellow traps can also be useful in trapping and managing the pests on your lemon tree. Place yellow traps or boards around the tree for the pests to swarm in, then knock them off or into a bucket of soapy water if needed.
Finally, spray your lemon tree with a mixture of 5 percent neem oil to ensure that the pests stay away from your tree.
Fruit Harvesting
It’s important when growing a lemon tree to properly and timely harvest the fruit to ensure that you’re getting the best quality product. You’ll know when it’s the right time to harvest your lemon when the lemon turns a yellowish color.
Additionally, you’ll also be able to tell when it’s the right time to harvest when it starts smelling fragrant. Lemons will give off a fragrant scent as they ripen, making it easier to identify when it is ready to be harvested.
Lemons should ideally be harvested with branches that still have some leaves attached to it, as this will ensure that no bacteria enters the fruit, protecting it from any possible fungal growth.
It’s also important to use the right tool when harvesting lemons. For example, an orange picker can work, however, using a pair of shears or a pruning saw is a much better choice, as the saw will cause less damage.
Bone Meal and Nutrients
Ensuring that your lemon tree gets all the nutrients it needs is also essential to its growth. Applying a combination of bone meal and a complete nutrient blend to the soil can increase the productivity of your lemon tree.
A mixture of 1 tablespoon of bone meal and 1 teaspoon of a complete nutrient blend should be applied to the soil around the lemon tree every week. Doing so will aid in the growth of the root, increasing the trees growth.
Furthermore, in addition to the bone meal and nutrient blend, you can also feed your lemon tree a combination of low amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur for its optimal growth. Feeding these nutrients to your lemon tree weekly will ensure that it stays healthy and grows properly.
If you find that your lemon tree isn’t growing even after you’ve tried these things, then consider contacting your local county extension office, which should be able to diagnose any problems and help combat them.
