I did not feed my Meyer lemon plant this summer. The leaves
are light green. Should I feed it before I bring it inside for the
winter or wait until mid-winter?
The pale leaves make me think perhaps there is a nutrient imbalance or
deficiency, but it would be hard to say precisely via e-mail. Pale leaves
might also mean lack of exposure to sunlight. Are the pale green leaves
newer or older leaves? According to the University of Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology, a nitrogen deficiency would be evident if older leaves
lower down on the tree were turning yellow.
According to the book Citrus by Lance Walheim (Ironwood Press, 1996),
nitrogen is the only nutrient which citrus plants need on a regular
basis, and Meyer lemon needs less than other lemon species. A lot depends
on your soil. If the soil is alkaline, this may “tie up” micronutrients
and keep them from being absorbed by the tree. You might want to take
samples of the leaves and soil to your local county extension agent.
The Walheim book offers the following advice on growing citrus in
cold-winter climates:
Make slow transitions from indoors to outdoors and back…The transition
period should last at least three to four weeks. Before bringing the
plant indoors, move it to a location where it receives less direct
sunlight. Gradually decrease exposure to the sun. Unless you’ll be
keeping the plant in a cool location, don’t wait to move plants after the
weather has become cold and your heater is on indoors. ..Just before
moving a plant indoors, hose it off to clean the foliage…The conditions found in most homes in winter–low light and warm, dry
air–will cause many citrus trees to turn yellow and drop their leaves
and fruit…To prevent his, place the trees in a cool, well-lit location
and try to maintain high humidity. A cool greenhouse, where temperatures
stay above freezing, is ideal…To increase humidity…place the tree on
a large tray covered with rocks and filled with water. Replace the water
as it evaporates.
General indoor care guidelines, also from the Walheim book:
Do not overwater. Let soil dry out partially between waterings.
Fertilize lightly. About 3-4 weeks before taking trees back outside,
increase fertilizer.
So I don’t think you need to fertilize the tree
before you bring it inside. Here is a link to a question from our library’s database, with details on fertilizing Meyer lemon.
Check often for signs of insects.