My poor Meyer lemons. In just a week of having them, I've already almost killed them - twice.
First, in an effort to allow them a slow transition to our temperate Western North Carolina climate, I kept them indoors on a south-facing window. I did my best to protect them from the inevitable swoosh of the Big Dog's tail, but that was a losing battle, too. Despite my efforts, quality organic soil, and Italian-made pots, they soon started dropping all new growth. The floor was littered with tender, young leaves. My research told me it was caused by lack of light, so outside they went.
But in the sun, they didn't recover. In fact, they got worse. And now leaves were turning a sickly mottled yellow color.
So after emailing the grower, joining gardening forums and scouring citrus threads in attempt to find the answer, I concluded (and adjusted) the following:
Use a loamy soil and amend it with 1/3 part cedar hardwood shavings (the kind they sell at supermarkets or pet stores for dogs). It lightens the soil without using perlite, which I've come to learn, are non-biodegradable, styrofoam balls that contain various metals that soak into your soil (and thus, your food)- yuck.
For those that tend to over water (like yours truly), stick to terracotta pots. They allow the soil to breathe and help prevent root rot. They're heavy and cumbersome, but citrus love 'em. The caveat? Terracotta can sometimes suck the moisture out of the roots when they NEED it, as was happening with ours. Which is why the next tip is so important...
Buy a moisture meter to read the soil and learn when to water.
Give citrus lots of light, and if sunlight is at a premium, get creative. The hubs was absolutely genius when he suggested we use his bounce board (above) to offer more light to the lemons when they're inside.
Finally, when you find what works, leave them the hell alone.
I have yet to master any of these tips (not to mention fertilizing, but that's another subject entirely). I did change a few things that were going wrong with my lemons and have adopted these as my new Citrus Saving mantras. A quick repotting with some cedar shavings and a good soak, and lo and behold, the very next day they answered me with the opening of a few buds! We're not out of the woods yet, but it's a good sign. I'll take it.
