Repotting a Eureka lemon tree

[rubenve]

Hi all,
I'm new here on the forum and also new to gardening, so please bear with me.

I have owned a Eureka lemon tree since about 7 months. I received it as a gift from my parents and have been using the best of my ability to take care of it.
It actually went pretty well; it kept pushing out new leaves, the leaves looked nice and green and new blossom and buds were growing.

Back in May I went back to the Netherlands (my home country) for about 6 weeks and after I got back I think it was overwatered by the person taking care of it. The leaves were yellow and curled and it looked like it was in bad shape. I purchased a soil moisture meter and didn't water it until the moisture level got at the lower end of the spectrum again. Also since it has been really hot in California the past few weeks I decided to move the tree into the shade after about 6 hours of sun for the day. Since then it started looking better again and I think it's pretty healthy again as far as I can judge.

I left the tree in the pot since I got it, because we are planning on moving to a new house soon and the new house doesn't have a backyard, so we will have to keep it on one of the balconies. It's still in the original pot and I want to allow the tree to have some more space so it can grow bigger, so I want to repot it into a bigger pot.

I already read up on it a little and read that I should get a pot with big holes in the bottom to allow excess water to escape. I also saw those plastic 'things' for the bottom of a pot to protect the roots from overwatering.
My main concern is what soil to use. I read that regular potting soil is a no go and even the special citrus tree soil they sell at the big stores are no good.
I require a sandy soil with a little bit of clay if I understand correctly. Is that right? And where would I be able to buy that? Or should I make my own mixture? And if yes what would I put into this mixture? And do I use compost too? And fertilizer? I have been using the citrus tree fertilizer they sell at Home Depot. Is that the right fertilizer to use or are there better types?
Also what is the ideal pH for the soil for a Eureka tree?

I hope you can give me some advice, because I'd hate to kill this tree when I repot it. I also added some pictures of the tree.

[PunkRotten]

I have the same tree. I agree you should repot it ASAP. I use citrus tone as a fertilizer and I ad rock dust and compost as well. As for potting soil I use just typical potting soil. Some guy told me that the palm/cactus mix they sell at home depot and lowes is good cause it drains well.

[Northernfox]

I have a Baerless lime and Meyer Lemon myself. They are a lot of fun! I have found the best information on caring for the trees at the two following sites.

I did a little experiment this summer with my lemon tree and the one I got for my mother in law. I cut my tropical soil mix with sand to help the drainage and hers I did not. So far hers is doing great and mine is suffering from a little bit under fertilizing.

I am really enjoying them even in Canada!

http://www.fourwindsgrowers.com/index.php

http://www.gardenadvice.co.uk/advisor/g ... tree-care/

[rubenve]

Thanks to both of you for the replies. I will definitely check out those sites.

Also to PunkRotten: you said you would repot ASAP, is there a specific reason why you think that? Is it the size or the way it looks or something else?

Do trees like these need to be repotted every x years or so in the first place, or is it okay to leave it in the same pot after it reached its optimal size?
And what about the soil? Do you change that with fresh soil every once in a while or is fertilizing enough?

[PunkRotten]

Bigger pot would give it more space to stretch out. If the roots are too crowded they won't take up water and nutrients correctly. Since you plan to keep this in a pot for a long time I think changing it to a larger sooner rather than later would be beneficial. If it is in a spot that gets mostly sun with a little shade watering twice a week during summer is ideal and once a week in fall and winter or when well established. Also water if the plant looks thirsty.

I keep mine in a 15 gallon pot and it is fine but I wouldn't keep it in this forever. I would probably bump it up to 25 gallon at the very least. But my plans is to put it in the ground in a few years. About the soil try to add compost to it to keep it rich and fertilize regularly on a schedule. Also add rock dust or epsom salt so it gets some trace minerals. These trees take up lots of nutrients and being in a pot they lose them pretty quickly too. Mine developed a bunch of yellowing leaves. At first I thought it was over watering and backed off. But after ruling it out that it wasn't the problem I learned it was likely deficient in magnesium, manganese, calcium, zinc or some other trace mineral. After applying rock dust and epsom salt the tree is a lot better and actually setting fruit.

[PunkRotten]

BTW the tree does not look sick or anything to me. I was just saying that repotting would have benefits and the tree would get bigger and grow healthier IMO.

[rubenve]

Thanks PunkRotten, this information is really useful. I'm gonna get some rockdust and compost first and look out for a bigger pot. I saw the soil you were talking about at Lowe's the other day I think, so I'll get some of that too.
I also read somewhere that it's better to have a pot with a bigger hole in the bottom, for water drainage. Can you confirm that?

[Northernfox]

yes you do need a higher number of holes in the bottom and make sure it has space to escape. while the citrus trees enjoy moist roots if they are sitting in water they will get root rot quickly.

This also allows you flush the soil if you start seeing a white condensate on the top of your soil. that is typically salt build up from over fertilization that can occur in the fall.

Enjoy my friend! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

[rubenve]

Thanks! I sure do enjoy it so far even though I have no experience or knowledge at all about it (yet!).
Thanks for the advice, holes in the pot it is then.

[Northernfox]

neither did I in March when I got both of my trees! It is a little bit more of a dance as I am in Canada and these little guys have to transition into and out of the house!

[rubenve]

I can see how that makes things a lot harder. The weather here is perfect for the tree (lucky me).

[Northernfox]

out of curiosity what do the night time temperatures dip to at night in the winter? I am trying to figure out when to start bringing them in the house

[rubenve]

I'm in the LA area, so the night temperatures in winter don't really get below 10 (Celcius) here in winter. December, January and February I'd say on average between 9 and 12 degrees celcius.

[Northernfox]

Thank you very much. Ill have to start that transition as the temperatures will start going below that soon .

[rubenve]

No problem and good luck.
I'll keep you posted on the repotting adventures.