Citrus trees are very popular among homeowners because they create an exotic feel in any room. And the fruits are so healthy and delicious! To properly care for your trees, there are a few steps you need to take to ensure you enjoy a bountiful harvest! Repotting is one of the most important citrus tree care procedures and there are some pointers you need to take into account. You can get step-by-step instructions on how to repot citrus plants and helpful care tips in this article.
How often do you need to repot citrus plants?
Make sure your citrus tree is in good health before you begin repotting it. Citrus plants do not need to be repotted every year. You should repot younger trees every 1-2 years so that they can grow quickly. And when it comes to larger and established trees, they need to be repotted every four years or so. Between repotting, you can always refresh the top layer of soil to improve growth. Note thatRepotting is also necessaryif the plant has not outgrown its pot as the potting soil degenerates (it shrinks, becomes water-repellent and loses fertilizer) and needs to be renewed.
What do you need for repotting?
Of course, you will need a larger pot (about ¼ larger than the existing pot). You also need to have secateurs or knives ready. Choose well-drained, slightly acidic soil with a pH of around 6-7. Sandy loam is typically used for gardening and works well for the lemon tree. Add sand, stones, or grit to help the clay soil drain. Lemon trees love nutrients, so consider incorporating a source of nitrogen into the soil mix. Fertilizer and cedar wood chips work wonders for your plant.
- Make sure you wear gloves. Squeeze the sides of the pot to loosen the soil, then tilt the pot to a 45-degree angle and gently pull the plant out. Be sure to hold onto the base of the plant as this is the strongest. Carefully lift the tree out of the pot. Inspect the roots for signs of damage or disease.CutRemove weak roots with sharp scissors. If planting in a larger pot, loosen the roots at the base until they are exposed and able to expand.
- Fill the bottom layer of the new pot with the potting mix. You can mix perlite, compost, sand and other materials into the soil.
- Position the plant so that the base of the plant is level with the height of the pot. Be sure to center the plant. Once the height is correct, fill the sides with your potting soil. Fill in the gaps with more potting mix until they are filled just below the edge. Tap the mixture a little to avoid air pockets. However, be careful not to make the mixture too compact. They must allow movement and good drainage.
- Add some wood chips. This will provide your plant with additional nutrients while preventing excessive weeds from growing in your pot.
Finally, place the pot in a location with optimal sunlight. Water immediately after repotting and return the tree to its original location to allow it to recover. A daily exposure to sunlight of around 6 hours is ideal. Also, place the tree in a location where there is no strong wind. The steps on how to repot citrus plants are that simple.
When is the best time to repot
Repotting can be stressful for your tree, just like any other plant. If you repot your citrus plants during the active growing season, they will recover quickly. Spring is preferred, before fruit production really begins, but summer or early fall are also suitable. Avoid repotting when the tree is flowering or fruiting as this can cause the flowers to drop and can also cause leaf fall, which you want to avoid as this will also affect the harvest.
Other helpful tips:
If the roots are tightly knotted together, gently tug on them to loosen them and create more movement in the new soil. Cover the top of the roots with the potting soil, but leave about 2 inches between the soil and the pot opening. This prevents the water from overflowing when watering the tree. Drainage is another important factor for healthy growth that you should consider in a pot for a lemon tree. Avoid waterlogged soil, as a wet pot can rot the roots of the tree and eventually kill it. To avoid this, you need a pot with adequate drainage holes. If you can't find one, you can also drill holes in the pot itself to improve drainage. When ensuring good drainage, water regularly and evenly.
