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...)
