Resurrection of the lemon tree

[osodecanela]

I need to start this by saying I am far from a proficient gardener. If a plant does well around me, it's generally because it thrives on benign neglect. Moreover, I live in the middle of a forest, and the light here is indirect at best.

Meyer lemons are a hybrid between a Mandarin and a true lemon. They are lovely fruit. About five years back, I bought a dwarf Meyer lemon which I put it into a wine barrel on the deck. It did well for a time, but then last fall all the leaves curled dropped off and the plant looked as though it was history. I just didn't have the heart to pull it out of the and throw it away. A bit to my surprise, the plant has come back to life and is putting out a bunch of leaves. There are even a couple of flower buds on it.
There was also a tremendous amount of deadwood to remove.

I have never pruned before. I asked a friend of mine who is an active gardener to borrow a pair of pruning shears and for some pointers; on Monday the Lemon tree got a 'haircut'.

This is said tree now.



And this is all the deadwood that came off of it.


I could get used to doing this.

Comments

[ogam.livejournal.com]

WOOHOO! IT WORKED! *does a li'l happy daince wif you* I look forward to more phone posts from you, Huibote!

You know I've been making citrus cordials à la Tom Appel as cocktail mixers using, thus far, Texas Ruby Red grapefruit, Key Limes, and Mexican Limes (the latter two so different from each other it was almost shocking). If I were going to make a Lemon one, it'd have to be with Meyer Lemons.

[barbarian-rat.livejournal.com]

I'm thinkin' that lack of water was the issue.
When plants are in such porous containers they tend to dry out quickly. Summer drippy fog doesn't water such plants, just makes everything look well watered.
Stick yer finger in the soil. If it's dry 1" below the surface, then it's needs to be watered. Check it at least twice weekly. Hot days check more often. Check the soil for moisture after you water, because if the soil is dry the water can run down the sides and drain out without actually wetting the soil.

[osodecanela.livejournal.com]

thanks for that tip.

[tilia-tomentosa.livejournal.com]

Wow, you got some firewood. ;)

Seriously, i'm glad your plant survived.