Question:
We have a Meyer Lemon that needs pruning badly, but it has an abundance of fruit and flowers on it right now. When is the proper time of the year to properly shape the tree without the danger of killing it?Answer:
- Lemons, oranges, and other types of citruses are pruned anytime after the danger of frost has passed. The time not to prune is November through mid-March. In addition, it’s a misconception or myth that incorrect pruning kills plants. Unless you’re cutting the plant(s) off below the soil level
- Poor pruning techniques produce unattractive or ugly plants. Many will respond and grow back quickly, such as a Myer Lemon, while to hers are permanently scarred.
- There is never a perfect time to prune an overgrown Meyer Lemon because they always seem to be in flower and/or fruiting. Some of the current crop, the next crop, or both will have to be sacrificed to get it back in shape.
- Before you begin pruning, harvest all the mature lemons. Then, you should remove any dead, diseased, injured, or broken branches. Next, reduce the length of the long shoots and shape the plant. If may also be necessary to reduce the sides besides the top to get the plant back into its designated area.
- I’d also raise the skirt of the canopy so it’s eighteen to twenty-four inches off the ground. You don’t want the fruit contaminated from touching or being close to the soil. This will also allow you easier access to rake up the debris under the plant, which is very common during the growing season.
- The area under lemons and other citrus is perfect for snails to hide, So, I would bait it regularly with the organic snail bait, Sluggo.
- And finally, feed the plant with Citrus Food to encourage the new growth. Each spring, you prune to prevent the lemon from getting overgrown
Question:
What causes plants or shrubs to just die? I planted two magnolias six years ago. And they have really not grown. One looks healthy with green leaves, but the other just dried out six months ago. It seemed just fine before that. I have also planted two Euryops Dasiys; one is dead, and the other is thriving.Answer:
- Plants that seem to struggle with little to no new growth and then die overnight, are suffering from root rot.
- Root rot develops from the plants being planted too deep in our heavy clay soil and from excessive moisture. We often plant new plants at the bottom of a bowl-shaped hole.
- Shortly after that, the watering basin collapses around the trunk burying the plant (s). All new plants should be planted high out of the ground. The original root ball sticks out of the ground 1/2 to 1 inch above the grade. This allows the water to flow away from the trunk and prevents the plants from being buried too deep.
- For those still struggling, I would dig them up and replant.