ANN/THE STAR – Lemon trees are a popular choice for home gardeners due to their fragrant blossoms and flavorful fruit. Successfully propagating a lemon tree through marcotting can be especially rewarding.
However, despite our best efforts, growing fruit-bearing trees at home can sometimes present unexpected challenges.
Question: I marcotted a branch from a lemon tree that was fruiting and only three feet tall.
I then planted the marcotted branch in a pot with a diameter of three feet and a height of 2.5 feet.
Now, eight years later, the tree has grown to over six feet tall. Unfortunately, it has not produced any flowers or fruits despite regular fertilisation with both organic and inorganic fertilisers. Please advise. Thank you. – Anthony Chan
Answer: The lack of blooms or fruit on lemon trees could be due to root issues. Trees planted in pots, such as a three-feet-wide by 2.5-feet-deep container, may become root-bound, causing their roots to tightly wrap around the pot’s interior, making it difficult for the tree to absorb water and nutrients.
As the lemon tree grows, the limited soil cannot meet its nutritional needs, and the compacted roots restrict airflow, causing stress to the tree.
A simple examination of the roots can confirm this issue. If these signs are present, transferring the tree to a larger pot with fresh soil would be beneficial.
Watering habits also play a significant role. Both under- and over-watering can cause stress in trees, with over-watering often leading to root rot due to poor aeration.
Common mistakes to encourage a non-fruiting tree to bloom are supplying excessive amounts of water or watering only after the soil has been left to dry out. Moderation is key to watering. The soil should always feel moist and not too wet or dry.
Sunlight, pruning and fertilisation are other crucial factors. Lemon trees require six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive. If your tree is not receiving enough sunlight, it may not flower.
Move the pot to a sunny location. Pruning should involve removing only dead or diseased branches, avoiding excessive cutting that could hinder flowering.
Over-fertilisation, particularly with nitrogen-rich fertilisers, can cause the tree to focus on lush green growth at the expense of blooms and fruit. Rapid switching between various fertilisers is another common mistake, as it increases nutrient imbalance or toxicity.
Instead, choose a balanced fertiliser designed for citrus trees and consider pausing fertilisation for a few months if you have been experimenting with different fertiliser types. – Dr Christopher Teh
