Lemon transplant: how and when to transplant at home

In any case, you will have to transplant a lemon into another pot if you decide to grow a citrus tree indoors. The plant needs sufficient space for vegetation and development of the root system. There are a number of cases when transplantation is carried out unscheduled. In order for the lemon to take root well, and the procedure to be less painful for the culture, floriculture experts recommend following certain rules.

Why transplant a lemon

Lemon transplantation at home, one way or another, the procedure is inevitable. The plant is up to 3 years old, a year after planting, the soil and capacity are changed. The next season, the procedure is repeated. From 4 years of vegetation, soil and pot are replaced once every 1 months. After 24 years, the lemon is not touched, the tree begins to bear fruit and is considered an adult. The term of biological maturation depends on the variety of culture. Some varieties bear fruit earlier and others later. If the tree has blossomed, then the root system is fully formed and unnecessary stress is undesirable.

A lemon is transplanted into another pot for several reasons:

1. If you purchase a plant in a shipping container, in this case, a replacement of the pot will be necessary. It is not worth rushing to transplant a lemon after purchase; you need to give time within 3 weeks for the culture to adapt to the home microclimate. Then you need to water the soil abundantly and, together with the lump, remove the tree. If the roots are intertwined on the surface and go beyond the soil, the procedure is carried out immediately.
2. If the planter is broken, the tree is carefully removed from the fragments, the damaged fragments are cut off, the root ball is wrapped with a damp cloth on top, the root can be in this state for more than a day before acquiring a new flower pot.
3. If roots protrude on the surface, thin shoots have appeared from the drainage hole, the lemon container is small, the tree is transplanted into a larger pot.
4. If the vegetation slows down, the culture bloomed, but did not give an ovary, it did not have enough micronutrients, top dressing did not work. The cessation of fruiting is a sign of completely depleted soil, it must be replaced.
5. For a culture, with an incorrectly chosen planter and an incorrect watering regime, acidification of the soil is characteristic. A rotten smell is felt and wine midges appear above the pot. This is a serious reason for transplanting a plant.

Mandatory change of soil is also necessary when pests or infection appear.

When can you transplant a lemon at home

Lemon transplant time is from February to March, by the time of the growing season, the culture adapts to the new soil composition. If a disease or pests are detected, the lemon is transplanted regardless of the time, the emergency procedure is aimed at saving the tree. In all other cases, they change the soil and capacity at the time of rest.

You can learn more about recommendations for transplanting lemon at home from the video below:

When a lemon grown from a stone is transplanted

In order not to expose the seedling to unnecessary stress, the seeds of the culture are planted in separate small pots. Lemon gives a slow growth after germination, all the nutrients go to build up the root system. When a young tree grows to 10-15 cm, it is transferred to a larger pot, by about 4-5 cm. The lemon will intensively fill the new space with the root system.

The soil for the seedling is chosen similarly to the previous composition. After removing from the pot, the tree is transferred with a root ball. It is not recommended to transplant indoor lemon into a flowerpot that is too large, the plant will not give crown growth until it fills the void of the pot with a root. With a large capacity, there is a threat of acidification of the soil. Then the transplant is carried out as planned. Replacing the soil and pots is a necessary measure, the plant does not respond well to stress.

Is it possible to transplant a flowering lemon

A certain time of the year is allotted for lemon transplantation, when the plant is in a state of relative rest. It is advisable not to touch the flowering culture. In case of emergency, if the plant is infected or parasites progress on it, then it is transplanted at any stage of the growing season. There are also varieties that bloom all year round, but they also need a change in capacity and soil.

If the plant is healthy, it is transferred by transshipment, trying to minimally disturb the root. There is nothing wrong with such a procedure, the culture is well mastering the new composition of the soil. The worst thing that can happen is that some of the flowers will fall off.

In the event of the development of a disease or an accumulation of pests, the soil is completely removed, damaged roots and branches are cut off. Lemon is disinfected and treated with appropriate preparations. You can’t lose a tree, so even a flowering plant is transplanted.

Is it possible to transplant a lemon with fruits

Replace the soil during fruiting only in emergency cases, if all the measures taken to eliminate infection and pests have not given a positive result. If the tree turns yellow, the leaves and young ovaries fall, they take drastic measures with pruning and processing. After transplantation, all fruits and flowers are removed. The chances that the plant will take root are negligible.

Transplanting a lemon into another pot during fruiting is necessary if the vegetation and fruit ripening have stopped, feeding is not enough, the soil is completely depleted. In this case, the plant is transferred to another container, as a rule, fruit ripening is accelerated, the lemon does not get sick.

Can you transplant a lemon tree without leaves?

Lemon in favorable conditions does not shed foliage, the plant is conditionally deciduous, skeletal branches are exposed for several reasons:

• insufficient lighting;
• dry air;
• temperature too low for citrus;
• soil depletion;
• acidification of the soil and rotting of the root;
• insufficient watering, especially up to 4 years of growth;
• damage by pests or infections.

Do not rush with an unscheduled transplant, it is necessary to exclude negative environmental factors. If the reason is not in them, the plant is urgently transplanted if the measure is vital. After 3 weeks, the crown will begin to gradually recover. A tree without leaves tolerates soil changes much better than during flowering and fruiting.

Is it possible to transplant a lemon in winter

In varietal varieties of culture, the so-called biological clock works. In winter, sap flow and growth slows down, the best option for transshipment. In case of illness, the plant will more easily tolerate a transplant in winter. The main condition is that the temperature regime and lighting remain familiar. Decorative hybrid forms bloom and bear fruit all year round, the correct replacement of the soil and the pot will not affect the tree.

Transplanting a lemon into a new pot

In order for the culture to take root well in a new place and quickly adapt, it is necessary to properly plant a lemon at home. Not the last role in the process of rooting is played by the size of the pot and the composition of the soil.

Selecting the right container

The size of the new container for a young tree is taken 4 cm more than the previous one. For an adult plant from 6 years old – by 8 cm. Recommendations for using pots from different materials:

• translucent dishes are undesirable, there is a threat of overgrowing of the root system with moss. If the flowerpot is transparent, it is recommended to decorate the surface so that the dishes do not let light through;
• a pot of ceramic material is placed in water for several hours before planting, so that when planting, the clay does not absorb moisture from the soil;
• a plastic container requires a larger layer of drainage – the material does not absorb moisture, stagnant water in the soil is undesirable;
• wooden, voluminous tubs with a narrowed bottom are used for planting high-growing varieties. The container inside is fired to a black state, the material will last longer.

Do not transplant a tree into a container that is too large. The main requirement for a pot is that it must have a drainage hole.

Preparing the soil for transplanting lemon

Preparatory work for changing the pot involves the preparation of drainage and soil mixture. Broken bricks are used as drainage (fragments 1,5 * 1,5 cm in size), fine gravel and crushed stone.

Land for planting a lemon consists of:

• washed river sand (without clay) coarse fraction;
• peat, can be replaced with humus;
• sod layer or rotten last year’s leaves.

All components are taken in equal proportions. The soil should be neutral or slightly alkaline; lemon will grow on acidic soils, but not bear fruit.

How to process lemon roots during transplantation

Means for treating lemon root depend on the age of the plant. When transplanting an adult tree, cuts are treated with ash or cinnamon by transshipment. The root is fully formed, it does not need additional funds for growth. If the transplant is emergency or the lemon is infected:

1. The root is washed.
2. Carry out sanitary cleaning.
3. They are treated with biological antifungal agents “Gamair”, “Diskor”, Bordeaux liquid is suitable.
4. 2-4 tablets of Gliocladin are laid out in a new pot near the root, the drug after each watering, for a period of 1,5 months, will protect the plant.

The roots of a young lemon during transplantation for prevention are treated with a solution of manganese. Placed for 30 minutes in a preparation that stimulates the growth of the root system.

How to transplant a lemon

Proper transplantation technology is the main condition for the further growth of culture. Recommendations for a step-by-step lemon transplant at home:

1. Drainage is placed in a new container in increasing order, starting with large fractions. It is impossible to block the drainage hole; a convex fragment is placed in this place. Layer for earthenware – 5 cm, for plastic – 10-15 cm.
2. A nutrient mixture is poured on top with a layer of 6 cm.
3. On the lemon, a branch is marked on the illuminated side in order to place the plant in the same position after transplantation.
4. The tree is poured with water, left for 20 minutes, so that the liquid is well absorbed.
5. Take out the lemon along with the root ball. If there are dry areas, they are cut off. Sections are treated with ash, a young tree is placed in a growth stimulator.
6. Put the lemon in the new pot in the center. The empty space to the walls of the container should be at least recommended for the appropriate age.
7. Gradually add soil, gently compact so as not to disturb the root and leave no voids. The root neck is left on the surface, watered.

For 4 days, the pot is placed in a shaded place, then returned to its original position and placed to the sun with the marked side. Thus, the plant enters the familiar environment, and adaptation will be easier.

In case of an emergency transplant with a complete replacement of the soil, the preparatory work is similar. If the pot is not replaced, it is treated with hot water, then with formalin. The soil for the lemon is calcined. The root system is well washed, treated with antifungal agents and transferred to new soil.

How to transplant lemon sprouts

The technology for transplanting sprouts is no different from replacing a pot for an older plant. Work sequence:

1. The soil near the sprout is watered.
2. With the help of a wide spoon, a plant is taken out with a lump.
3. Top sprayed with a growth stimulator.
4. The main aspect – the capacity for the seedling corresponds to the root coma.
5. The soil is poured 1 cm below the edge of the container.
6. The sprout slightly (by 1 cm) deepens the root collar.
7. After planting, water with a weak solution of manganese.

Put in place with sufficient illumination, but without sunlight on the leaves. Lemons do not respond well to moving the pot from one place to another. Turning a young plant is not recommended.

You can learn more about transplanting a lemon into a new pot from the video below:

Lemon transplant in the presence of pests

A frequent parasite on the plant is a turtle, a spider mite. Places of accumulation are not only the aerial part of the plant, but also the soil. Replacing the pot and soil is a mandatory procedure. Action algorithm:

1. The plant is removed from the pot.
2. Place in a large container with water.
3. They completely inspect the tree, wash off all insects from the crown with laundry soap, and from the trunk and branches with a toothbrush.
4. Completely remove soil residues from the root. If there are damaged areas, they are cut off.

The pot is subjected to heat treatment, the old soil is thrown away.

Rules for caring for a lemon after a transplant

After a lemon transplant at home, care remains the same as before the procedure. The container is placed in the previous place and the microclimate familiar to the plant is maintained.

Watering Schedule

From May to September, the lemon is watered every evening with a small amount of warm water. Oriented on the ground, the top layer of soil should always be wet. To determine the amount of water for a plant, measure the thickness of the moistened layer. If it is more than 2 cm, the volume of liquid is reduced.

Additional fertilizing

Lemon needs to be fed within reasonable limits, an excess will have the opposite effect, a tree with a healthy lush crown will stop bearing fruit. Planned top dressing is given 2 times at the beginning and end of summer. At intervals of 2 weeks, a mixture of ammonium nitrate and potassium salts is added, then fertilized with superphosphate and organic matter.

Unscheduled application is carried out if:

• leaves turn yellow and fruits are poorly formed – a sign of nitrogen deficiency;
• ovaries and leaves fall – lack of phosphorus;
• fruits decrease due to an increase in leaves – potassium is needed.

If drying of the tops of the crown is observed, the leaves lighten, and the tree has stopped blooming, it needs iron.

Creating optimal conditions

An important condition for the vegetation of a plant is the creation of a favorable microclimate and sufficient illumination. The light-loving culture does not tolerate a shaded place and open sunlight; they place the pot on the windowsill on the east side or next to the south window. The light period for a lemon is 16 hours, the installation of lamps is recommended.

The temperature depends on the season and the biological state of the plant:

• for the vegetation of shoots – +17⁰ C;
• fruit ripening – 22⁰ C;
• in winter – 15⁰ C.

The temperature should be constant, sudden changes are undesirable for a lemon. Before placing in the fresh air, the plant gradually adapts to changes in temperature.

Air humidity is relevant in winter when central heating is operating. Spray the plant 1 time in 5 days, wipe the leaves with a damp cloth, put a container with water near the pot, do not place the culture next to heating devices. In summer, the lemon is irrigated less often, it needs enough watering.

Conclusion

It is unscheduled to transplant a lemon into another pot if the plant is infected or parasitized by insects. Change the soil if it is depleted, the volume of the pot is small for the root. When transplanting, take into account the size of the container, the composition of the soil. The work is carried out according to the recommendations for transplantation.