Repotting my Improved Meyer Lemon Tree 

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It helps with drainage and creates some air pockets in the soil.

@@NewEnglandgardening Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I love watching what you have to offer with all of your channels content including this one.

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Growing citrus in containers is tricky in cold climates. The number one killer of citrus is cold wet roots. So you often hear people ask why are the leaves falling off of my tree or why does my tree only have flowers that immediately fall off? When citrus is stressed it tells you pretty quickly and will die back quickly. I just don't have the energy to move large containers around anymore. It put out new growth but I brought it into the cellar which was too cold and did not have adequate light. Below around 70 degrees the roots go dormant. If you then have to bring the tree into a dry warm house for the winter the roots can't supply the tree with fluids and the tree will die back dropping leaves pretty quickly especially if you put it into direct sun. If I had brought it into the house instead of the cellar when it was still warm outside instead of the fall it might have made the transition.

...not necessarily: It could be a number of issues. Maybe poor drainage, sitting water at base choking off oxygen and making leaves yellow. And yes, potted citrus trees should be fertilized 2x per year. Tom - how about better potting nix specific to citrus trees. Either cactus/citrus soil in a bag. Or mix your own - equal part vermiculite, perlite, sand and a little bit peat moss. I also think you soil up the root to high. Should leave more of the root base uncovered. Also by having more aerated soil, it should help not rot out root at the base along with eliminating wet compacted soil

It is going to depend on your climate and growing conditions. This is only the second time I have repotted this tree in over five years. The tree is showing signs of stress so I decided to replant in new medium. Growing citrus in Massachusetts in cold temperatures in containers requires a good draining mix.

The tree arrived in a burlap bag tied up with some loose soil mixed with fine bark. What you see as far as roots is how I received it and the soil mix just fell away. Whether this tree was originally in a pot or in the ground the original soil was removed and the roots were pruned the way they show in the video. If you get an older tree that is root bound and the roots spiral around in the pot you should make some cuts and try to spread the root out from the tree before planting so they do not continue to grow in a circle around the tree.

It made a comeback in late summer with new growth but when I brought it into the cellar it finally died from neglect. It's just too much to move large potted trees around. If I had one of those grow tents and lights to keep up the humidity it would have been fine.

The cool temperatures aren't helping either. I think I read somewhere that the root system on citrus is pretty much dormant below 70F.

@@NewEnglandgardening Yes, but at the same time tollerate different kind of soils. I live in a land plenty of lemon trees, but I know that in the north of my country, much colder and rainy than the south, people can cultivate these trees, with some additional protection to the cold nights and putting the trees in places facing south. So, good luck!!!

New England Gardening - in Seattle I use to keep my meyer outside till maybe frost. Realized that citrus plants hate it even when it gets below 60 degrees at night. So these days, after summer is over, I bring in my citrus and mandarin trees - south facing window, but also a grow light 8-12 hours per day

@@toddripcity7878 I do the same, I live in The Netherlands, so the climate is not good for growing outdoors. I keep mine out from June to September, then I have to bring it indoors, where I use some light panels and keep fertilizing every 1-2 weeks during the whole year. Problem is the pot is so big, I can barely move it just a few steps if someone else is helping me. Also, I use native soil, which is just loam. Have a good production of lemons and oranges so far :)

He said it made a great come back late summer then died over winter due to neglect

That’s what mine keep doing, die. I had one going real nice once until a child pulled every leaf off ha! Was what it was.

@@outdoorsadrenaline 🤣😂🤣that's funny you say that cause i had a friend that had a 3 year old avocado from seed and her child did the same exact thing 🤣😂