Lemon transplant: how and when to transplant at home

You will have to transplant the lemon into another pot in any case if the decision is made 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 the transplant is carried out on an unscheduled basis. In order for the lemon to take root well, and the procedure is less painful for the culture, floriculture experts recommend following certain rules.

Why you need to transplant a lemon

A lemon transplant at home, one way or another, is an inevitable procedure. 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, the soil and pot are replaced once every 24 months. After 8 years, the lemon is not touched, the tree begins to bear fruit and is considered an adult. The period of biological maturation depends on the type of culture. Some varieties bear fruit earlier and others later. If the tree has bloomed, then the root system is fully formed and unnecessary stress is undesirable.

Transplant the lemon into another pot for several reasons:

1. If a plant is purchased in a shipping container, then a pot replacement will be necessary. It is not worth rushing with a lemon transplant after the purchase, you need to give time to the culture within 3 weeks in order to adapt to the home microclimate. Then you need to water the soil abundantly and remove the tree with the lump. If the roots are intertwined on the surface and go beyond the soil, the procedure is carried out immediately.
2. If the flowerpot breaks, the tree is carefully taken out of 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, a small container for lemon is transplanted into a larger pot.
4. If the growing season slows down, the culture bloomed, but did not give an ovary, it did not have enough micronutrients, top dressing did not work. The termination of fruiting is a sign of a completely depleted soil, it must be replaced.
5. For a crop, with an incorrectly selected pots and an incorrect irrigation regime, soil acidification is characteristic. A rotten smell is felt and wine gnats appear over the pot. This is a good reason to transplant a plant.

Mandatory soil change is also necessary when pests or infections appear.

When can you transplant lemon at home

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

To learn more about the recommendations for transplanting lemon at home, see the video below:

When a seed-grown lemon is transplanted

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

The soil for the seedling is chosen in the same way as in the previous composition. After removing from the pot, a tree with a root ball is transferred. It is not recommended to transplant a room lemon into a pot that is too large, the plant will not give growth to the crown until it fills the void of the pot with a root. With a large capacity, there is a threat of soil acidification. Then the transplant is carried out as planned. Replacing the soil and pots are necessary measures, the plant responds poorly to stress.

Is it possible to transplant a flowering lemon

For transplanting a lemon, a certain time of the year is set aside when the plant is in a state of relative dormancy. 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 disturb the root as little as possible. There is nothing wrong with such a procedure, the culture is well mastering the new composition of the soil. The worst that can happen is that some of the flowers will fall off.

In the event of a disease or accumulation of pests, the soil is completely removed, the 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 lemon with fruits

They replace the soil during fruiting only in emergency cases, if all the measures taken to eliminate infection and pests have not yielded a positive result. If the tree turns yellow, leaves and young ovaries fall off, drastic measures are taken with pruning and processing. After transplanting, remove all fruits and flowers. The chances of the plant taking root are slim.

Transplanting a lemon into another pot during fruiting is necessary if the growing season 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, the ripening of the fruits is accelerated, the lemon does not get sick.

Lemon without foliage can be transplanted

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

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

You should 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 lemon in winter

In varietal varieties of culture, the so-called biological clock is triggered. 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; a 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. An important role in the rooting process is played by a pot and soil composition matched to the size.

Choosing the right container

The size of the new container for a young tree is taken 4 cm larger than the previous one. For an adult plant from 6 years old - by 8 cm.Recommendations for the use of pots made of 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 transmit light;
• a pot of ceramic material before planting is placed in water for several hours so that when planting, the clay does not absorb moisture from the soil;
• a plastic container requires a larger drainage layer - the material does not absorb moisture, stagnation of water in the soil is undesirable;
• wooden, voluminous tubs with a narrowed bottom are used for planting tall varieties. The container inside is fired to a black state, the material will last longer.

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

Preparing the soil for replanting lemon

Preparatory work for changing the pot provides for the preparation of drainage and soil mixture. Broken bricks (fragments measuring 1.5 * 1.5 cm), fine gravel and crushed stone are used as drainage.

Land for planting lemon consists of:

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

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

How to process lemon roots when transplanting

Lemon root treatments depend on the age of the plant. When transplanting an adult tree by transshipment, the cuts are treated with ash or cinnamon. 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. Sanitary cleaning is carried out.
3. They are treated with biological antifungal agents "Gamair", "Discor", Bordeaux liquid will do.
4. 2-4 tablets of "Glyocladin" are placed in a new pot near the root, the preparation after each watering, for a period of 1.5 months, will protect the plant.

When transplanting, the roots of a young lemon are treated with a manganese solution for prophylaxis. Placed for 30 minutes in a preparation that stimulates the growth of the root system.

How to properly transplant lemon

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

1. Drainage is placed in a new container in ascending order, starting with large fractions. The drainage hole must not be blocked; a convex fragment is placed in this place. A layer for earthenware - 5 cm, for plastic - 10-15 cm.
2. Pour the nutrient mixture on top with a layer of 6 cm.
3. On the lemon, a branch is marked on the lighted side, so that after transplanting the plant is placed in the same position.
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. The sections are treated with ash, the young tree is placed in a growth stimulator.
6. Place the lemon in a new pot in the center. The empty space to the walls of the container should be at least the recommended for the corresponding age.
7. Gradually pour in the soil, carefully compact it so as not to break the root and leave no voids. The root collar 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 towards the sun with the marked side. Thus, the plant gets into a familiar environment, and adaptation will be easier.

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

How to transplant lemon sprouts

The sprout transplant technology is no different from replacing the pot for an older plant. Sequence of work:

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. Spray on top with a growth stimulant.
4. The main aspect is that 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 root collar is slightly deepened to the sprout (by 1 cm).
7. After planting, watered with a weak solution of manganese.

They are put in a place with sufficient illumination, but without the sun's rays falling on the leaves. Lemons do not respond well to moving the pot from one place to another. It is not recommended to rotate a young plant.

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

Lemon transplant in the presence of pests

A frequent parasite on a plant is a turtle, a spider mite. The places of accumulation are not only the aboveground part of the plant, but also the soil. Replacing the pot and soil is a mandatory procedure. Algorithm of actions:

1. The plant is removed from the pot.
2. Placed in a large container of water.
3. The tree is completely examined, washed off from the crown of all insects with laundry soap, and from the trunk and branches with a toothbrush.
4. Remnants of soil are completely removed from the root. If there are damaged areas, they are cut off.

The pot is heat treated, the old soil is thrown away.

Lemon care rules after transplant

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

Watering schedule

From May to September, lemon is poured every evening with a little warm water. They are guided by the ground, the topsoil must always be moist. To determine the amount of water for a plant, measure the thickness of the wetted layer. If it is more than 2 cm, the volume of the liquid is reduced.

Top dressing

Top dressing lemon is needed within reasonable limits, an excess will give the opposite effect, a tree with a healthy lush crown will cease to bear fruit. Planned feeding is given 2 times at the beginning and end of summer. At an interval of 2 weeks, a mixture of ammonium nitrate and potassium salts is introduced, then fertilized with superphosphate and organic matter.

An unscheduled application is carried out if:

• leaves turn yellow and fruits are poorly formed - a sign of nitrogen deficiency;
• ovaries and leaves fall off - lack of phosphorus;
• the fruits are reduced due to the increase in leaves - potassium is needed.

If drying of the crown tops is observed, the leaves brighten, and the tree has ceased to bloom, it needs iron.

Creation of optimal conditions

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

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

• for vegetation of shoots - +17⁰ C;
• ripening of fruits - 22⁰ C;
• in winter - 15⁰ C.

The temperature should be constant, sharp drops for lemon are undesirable.Before being placed in the fresh air, the plant is gradually adapted to the change in temperature.

Air humidity is relevant in winter when central heating is operating. The plant is sprayed once every 5 days, the leaves are wiped with a damp cloth, a container with water is placed near the pot, the culture is not placed next to heating devices. In summer, lemon is irrigated less often, watering is enough for it.

Conclusion

It is necessary to transplant the lemon into another pot unscheduled 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.

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