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When you repot a lemon tree, the most important thing is the time and the substrate. Our guide shows what is important.

In a nutshell

  • use appropriate soil
  • Carry out soil changes regularly
  • Wait for spring or early summer
  • repot new plants as soon as possible
  • follow the correct procedure

choose the right time

Repotting or changing the soil of a lemon tree is quite easy if a few criteria are taken into account. These include, among others:

  • sprouting
  • size of the planter
  • pest infestation
  • spent earth
  • growth difficulties

Repotting takes place either in spring before the first shoots appear or in early summer when new shoots have formed. However, there are also exceptions if the time for changing the substrate should be chosen differently.

Once your lemon tree gets too big for its pot, it's time to repot it into a larger container.

This includes, among other things, the roots growing out of the bucket. If this is the case, action should be taken as early as possible. Winter is an exception. During this time, the plant cannot absorb any or hardly any nutrients. Therefore, the risk of chemical burns at the roots is increased.
If there is an important reason for repotting the lemon tree in winter, it is advisable to proceed differently. It is important:

  • bright location or plant lamp
  • increase temperature
  • increase the amount of water

This "wakes up" the plant from hibernation and allows it to absorb more nutrients again within a few weeks. The repotting can therefore be brought forward. While hibernation is important for the health of the crop, if there is an infestation of pests, disease or damage to the roots, repotting should be a priority.

Use suitable substrate

One of the most important factors when repotting is choosing the right soil. For the lemon tree, you can either use ready-made citrus soil from the trade or a specially prepared mixture.
A good mix is one part each:

  • humus soil
  • mature compost
  • peat

Balls made of expanded clay, sand or coconut fibers can also be used as water reservoirs. On the one hand, these help to keep the skin moist and, on the other hand, to avoid waterlogging. They also loosen up the substrate.

Repot lemon tree - instructions

If you want to repot a lemon tree, the procedure is very simple. However, in doing so, you need to follow the appropriate steps. These are:

  • the right time: Shortly before or after budding is ideal. However, you can also achieve this state by artificially created conditions. Therefore, it is not dependent on the respective season.
  • thorough change: Repotting isn't just for removing old soil. It also reduces the risk of disease, rot and the spread of pests. Existing damage to the roots can also be treated. However, this requires a very thorough approach. After carefully removing the dry soil, you can also rinse off the root ball.
  • Checking for damage and parasites: Dead areas of the root should be removed with clean scissors or a clean knife. If larvae or other pests are found, the appropriate means and measures should be used. These can vary significantly depending on the species.
  • Drainage: A drainage layer should be placed at the bottom of the planter. Gravel, stones and potsherds are suitable for this purpose. This layer prevents waterlogging.
  • pay attention to the height: The trunk should be no more covered than it was in the old pot. Therefore, you should first apply a layer of soil to the drainage layer that is also compacted to the required height.
  • water well: Floating watering is discouraged after repotting. However, the soil must then be able to drain well. If leftovers collect in the planter, waterlogging can occur despite the drainage.

frequently asked Questions

How often should the lemon tree be repotted?

That depends on various factors. Including, for example, the size of the bucket, the growth and the selected soil. With good care, it is usually sufficient to change the soil every two to three years.

How big should the bucket be?

Citrus plants are not hardy. They can therefore only be cultivated in pots and overwintered indoors. The larger the planter, the easier it is to care for. The water reservoir is larger. The same applies to the amount of nutrients. However, it must be expected that the roots will initially grow very strongly and that fewer fruits will form at the beginning.

When do you need to start fertilizing after repotting?

If high-quality soil has been used, it often already contains sufficient nutrients for the first year. If this is not the case, a citrus fertilizer should be used. The lemon peels themselves can also be added to the substrate as a light nutrient supply.

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Garden plants