Grafted Lemon - struggling roots

[kelley]

I have a small, grafted lemon tree (on C35) that suffered a bout of root rot last fall. After soaking the roots in hydrogen peroxide/water, the tree has been extremely slow to grow. It finally leafed out this summer. 3 leaves total, all underdeveloped. I just repotted it to a smaller pot yesterday, and the tree literally has 2 roots (there were new fine root hairs forming). I have fed this tree with Osmocote and FoliagePro along with my other trees that are thriving. Is there anything that I can give this tree to help it bounce back? I’m not impatient - it can take all the time it needs, but I really don’t want to lose it, especially in its weakened state. I have the Clonex root nutrient solution - I thought about adding it to my next watering. Thanks for your time, guys!

[david]

Since you have repotted, changed to better soil, there is not a lot more you can do except take care of the tree until recovery. Root rot is hard to overcome and it takes some time. It is usually dicovered after it has done most of its damage. Remember that you are growing a "new" root system....the very life of the tree. The damage did not occur in a short time...it will not be repaired in a short time either. Take good care of it and give it some time. Root rot can be disastrous but trees can recover too. Good luck with yours.

[marro]

If you see small new roots,I wouldn’t fertilize at all for a while, you might burn the newly root hairs, that would stall the tree again.