Oh, no!
Leaves turning yellow?
Hardly any, if any, flower buds?
Your lemon tree might need a fertilizer boost.
Lemon trees, in general, prefer slightly acidic and well drained soil. One trick that I do is pour my left over coffee (black! No milk, cream, or sugar added to it) diluted with some extra water on my lemon tree about once a week to help keep the acidity of the soil at the right level.
However, lemon trees need more than just slightly acidic soils. They are hungry feeders and need enough nutrients to keep their leaves green and to produce fruit. Finding a fertilizer specific for citrus is key.
I use Jobe’s Organics Fruit and Citrus Plant Fertilizer Spikes, which can be found at Walmart HERE.
I love using the spikes because I just grab one and stick it in the soil. It’s convenient for me when busy with chores and all of a sudden realize that my lemon tree hasn’t bloomed all spring and summer and, now, the leaves are turning yellow. I’ll admit that I honestly couldn’t remember the last time that I’d fertilized my lemon tree, so it was hungry.
There is one word of caution: These fertilizer spikes are made with bone meal. So, if your property is prone to raccoons and all of the wonderful damage that can ensue, make sure the spike is completely covered in the soil. Don’t leave the top of the spike poking out of the soil. Otherwise, there is a good chance you will find your fertilizer spike dug out and partially or fully destroyed/eaten by those raccoons.
Buds are starting to form and the leaves are looking better!
If you are fertilizing your lemon tree and still get yellowing leaves, check your watering schedule. Yellow leaves can, also, mean that the lemon tree is getting over-watered and the roots are getting bogged down with the soggy conditions. It is best to check the top inch of soil with your finger. If it is dry, then go ahead and water. Definitely make sure, if your lemon is grown in a pot, that the pot has drainage holes in the bottom of it.
When given full sun and well drained, slightly acidic and properly fertilized soil, your lemon tree will provide beautiful pinkish, white buds that bloom into flowers with the most decadent scent ever.
After those, come the first signs of delicious lemons!
