So glad I found this thread. Thank you all for the great info. Growing my first fruit tree - an Improved Meyer Lemon, from Walmart! A co-worker brought it to me when it was little more than sticks. It sat outside, and I battled off spider mites trying to spin webs over it. Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree was phenomenal compared to my little Meyer stick. At one point, I thought it was just dead. So, I left it alone, out in the sun. It sure didn't get over-watered in its pot! Sat out there through the summer heat. I fought the good fight against the spider mites with frequent soapy water showers, and won the batle.

Then, the fall came. Then the winter came, and I didn't want the little stick to freeze, so I moved it under the patio cover into a protected corner and left it alone -- again (there's a "neglect" theme that seems to be working, here...)

We went below freezing for about 8-9 nights this past winter, and I managed to cover the stick man maybe 4-5 of those nights...

When it was safe enough to go out and start assessing the winter plant damage, imagine my surprise at finding a little purple nub on the stick man, LOL! He lives!!!!

So, I've moved him to the edge of the patio into the light, and started watering again. And, I'm applying the Mittleider Weekly Feed once a week -- no shortage of the micronutrients the article says are usually missing from the lemon tree diet.

So far, the stick man has come alive and is putting on fat blooms all over. I just need to stake it because the main stem is growing crooked in the pot. Also, will be on the lookout for a proper pot for permanent housing. So far, it's still in the original 5-gallon container.

Here's a picture of my stick man! (sorry about the pic orientation...)

Cheryl - My son bought a lemon tree last year and put in in a pot. when he fruit appeared it was lime green and he thought they sent him the wrong tree but they assured him that as it ripens the green will turn to yellow. It did but the lemons are the size of golf balls. The tree is almost 5 feet all now. He puts it out on the deck during the warm months.

Any advice

Does he fertilize the tree? Check the article in one of the links above. It speaks about some of the micronutrients the trees are usually lacking...

I'm not sure about the fertilizer but I will check the links,

thanks

I have been doing some reading about citrus pollinators and my trees are in full bloom and smell wonderful.

I read that stunted fruit and lack of fruit is directly related to lack of sunshine.

The lemons, Satsuma, even limes start life green and will turn color when ripened. I did not know that even limes will ripen to yellow.

Here's an update:
IMPROVED MEYER LEMON
Nicknamed: "The Stickman!"
Full of Blooms as of 03/24/2014
Purchased at Walmart, Summer of 2013

Kristi, what is the cat doing in your avatar?

Gleni said:Kristi, what is the cat doing in your avatar?

Sorry for the delay in replying. I have been out of pocket.

That orange tabby is praying to the bird feeder about his head (and out of the picture). He is wishing those birdies would land on his level. lol

Guess I need to change the avatar... the snow melted and the cat is now pursuing butterflies. Thank the Heavens spring has arrived!

Kristi, mine are devoted to the feeder too. They are screened in but they are still avid birdwatchers.

My Improved Meyer Lemon, Satsuma Orange and Meiwa Kumquat wintered over in front of a sunny window in my house. They didn't look very good when I brought them back outside last month. Looks aren't everything I guess. They do look like they will make it. Singing: "Lemon tree not so pretty..."


But there is promise of good things to come!