Lemon Yellowing After Transplanting

Q.  I believe I have a Bears lemon tree. It was growing in the ground then transplanted to a 22” planter last fall and for a variety of reasons finally  transplanted it to my raised bed a few weeks ago and used the rejuvenate soil mix from Viragrow. I cut off one third of the top when moving it, but the leaves are still yellow, I don’t see any new growth. I don’t believe tree is dying but it’s not healthy. Is it the soil?

A. First, not that it makes any difference but if you have Bears, it may be a lime, not a lemon. That might affect when it’s harvested. The Rejuvenate soil mix drains easily provided the hole drains water. If the hole drained water in 6 to 8 hours, everything is fine. Just don’t water the tree every day.

Yellow Leaves

            The yellowing and poor growth is most likely due to recovery from the damage during transplanting. Yellow older leaves stay yellow even if everything is wonderful. Watch the new growth coming out. That’s the key. If the new growth is green and not yellow then that indicates the tree is doing well. The yellow leaves will be replaced visually by dark green leaves later.

Water and Drainage

            Make sure you are not watering too often. I am watering established fruit trees with woodchips on top of the soil once a week all during February. This irrigation frequency is to push new growth and fruit production.

            If trees were just planted (or transplanted), I water twice immediately after planting and then about twice a week, every three to four days, until new growth appears. Once strong new growth appears, once a week should be often enough until about mid-April if the soil is covered in wood chips.

Stake After Moving

            Make sure the tree is staked solidly in the ground to keep the roots from moving during  establishment. I use a three or four-foot-long 3/16 rebar pounded in the ground right next to a new five or 15-gallon tree, and the tree tied to it only for the first growing season. I  tie the tree to the rebar tightly with stretchable green nursery tape.