Lemon tree - fruit falling off prematurely - Ask Extension
I have a Meyer lemon tree that seems to be healthy, gets plenty of blooms and lemons after blooming. Within a month or two, the tiny lemons fall off....
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Lemon tree - fruit falling off prematurely #624798
Asked April 17, 2020, 9:02 AM EDT
I have a Meyer lemon tree that seems to be healthy, gets plenty of blooms and lemons after blooming. Within a month or two, the tiny lemons fall off. The tree is in a sunroom and gets morning direct sun (until noon). I water once per week and apply organic citrus fertilizer once a month or so...
Talbot County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi - Citrus plants naturally shed some of their excess immature fruits. Potted plants typically set more fruit than they can support. The shedding of excess fruit is normal. The amount of fruit drop may be alarming (up to 75% of fruits may fall off). Fruit drop may also occur as a response to a sudden change in temperature.
When your plant is indoors for the winter, you will have to hand pollinate the flowers in order to initiate fruit development. Use a small dry paintbrush to pick up pollen from one flower and brush it from flower to flower.
Here is our page about growing citrus indoors, https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/growing-dwarf-citrus
Christa
When your plant is indoors for the winter, you will have to hand pollinate the flowers in order to initiate fruit development. Use a small dry paintbrush to pick up pollen from one flower and brush it from flower to flower.
Here is our page about growing citrus indoors, https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/growing-dwarf-citrus
Christa
