| purchased a ponderosa lemon tree..it is now loosing all fruit. what do i need to do ? we keep the plant in a sunny location, not in a draft. thank you..linda |
| Ponderosa, which is also known as American Wonder, is a dwarf lemon-citron hybrid that is perfect for growing indoors. For its size, Ponderosa bears a multitude of large fragrant, waxy white flowers that develop grapefruit-size fruits. The shedding of flowers and immature fruit is typical for citrus, which tend to produce more flowers than can be supported by the leaves. To achieve a balance between the supply and demand for carbohydrates and other nutrients, flowers and fruits are shed during and shortly after bloom, which often continues until harvest. The amount of fruit produced by citrus is proportional to the size of the tree, and the size of the container limits tree size. However, you can still improve your harvest yields by providing optimum growing conditions. Place your Ponderosa in a room receiving bright, direct sunlight, and water it regularly during the growing season. Adequate moisture is especially important because water stress can speed flower and fruit drop. Water your citrus when the surface of the medium feels dry, adding enough so the excess drains out of the bottom. Water less often during the winter months when the tree is resting. A minimum winter night temperature of 40 to 50 degrees F with an increase of 5 to 15 degrees during the day is ideal. Finally, fertilize your lemon tree each month during the growing season with a complete, water soluble fertilizer containing trace elements such as 20-20-20. |
