So, you’re wondering about feeding your Meyer lemon tree, huh? Been there, done that, and definitely made a few fumbles along the way before I got a rhythm going. It’s not like these trees come with a dinner bell, right?
When I first got my Meyer lemon, I was honestly a bit clueless. I’d read a bunch of stuff, some said this, some said that. So, my initial approach? Well, it was pretty haphazard. I’d remember to fertilize it sometimes, then forget for a good while. The tree survived, sure, but it wasn’t exactly bursting with life or lemons. It just looked… okay.
Figuring Out the Feeding Schedule
What really changed things for me was just starting to pay closer attention to the tree itself. I began to notice when it was actively pushing out new leaves, when it was flowering, and when it just seemed to be chilling. That’s when the penny dropped: feed it when it’s working, ease off when it’s resting.
My big push for fertilizing starts in the spring. As soon as I see that new, bright green growth appearing – for me, that’s usually around late March or early April – I know it’s breakfast time for the tree. That first feed of the season seems to really wake it up.
Then, I try to be pretty consistent through the main growing period. So, from spring through summer, I’m giving it some food roughly every four to six weeks. I don’t overdo it; a little bit regularly seems to be the trick rather than one massive meal. I learned that the hard way – too much at once made the leaves look a bit burnt. Oops.
I also pay attention to what the tree is doing:
- If it’s covered in blossoms, I make sure it’s got some nutrients. Making flowers takes energy!
- Same goes for when it’s setting fruit. Those little baby lemons need fuel to grow.
- After a big harvest, if it’s still in the growing season, I might give it a little something as a “thank you” and to help it recover.
Winding Down for Winter
Once autumn starts to roll in, say late September or October, I begin to taper off. The days are getting shorter, the growth slows right down. By the time proper winter hits, I pretty much stop fertilizing altogether. The tree is dormant, or close to it, and doesn’t need the extra food. Pushing fertilizer on a resting tree isn’t a good idea, I’ve found.
What kind of fertilizer? I just use a balanced one that’s labeled for citrus trees. Nothing too fancy. I read the instructions on the package and usually go a little lighter than they suggest, especially when I was first figuring things out. You can always add a bit more later if needed, but it’s harder to take it away.
So, that’s my system, refined over a few seasons. The key signs I look for now are new growth (feed it!), or if the leaves start to look a bit pale or yellowish when they should be green (it’s probably hungry!). My tree is much happier these days, and the lemon harvests are definitely better. It’s mostly about observation and responding to what your tree is telling you.
