Four Seasons lemon tree not flowering.

Sarah248

My lemon tree, Keith, is thriving in a cool conservatory and has benefited from a few seaweed extract drinks during the summer. However, he’s showing absolutely no inclination to flower. I’m only watering with rainwater ever 10 days or so, when the soil is dry to about 4cm deep. I’ve had him a couple of years and when he first arrived, was full of bud and baby lemons, so I know he can do it. Because Keith is a Four Seasons, I assumed he would be producing something, even in the winter. 

Many thanks. 

Topbird

I have no idea about growing citrus plants but I love lemons and I love the fact you've called your tree Keith😁

A quick Google suggests lemon plants need cool but sunny & bright conditions. Whilst your watering regime sounds about right they also benefit from increased humidity so maybe standing the pot on a tray of damp gravel, misting and / or grouping it with other plants might help.

It also says that citrus are hungry plants and need to be fed year round - more specifically with a special citrus food in winter.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/fruit/citrus

Borderline

Do you bring your plant out during the summer months? The lack of flowering may be due to lack of sunlight over the summer months. I can't see the base of the pot, but water needs to be able to drain out freely. A loam based compost like John Innes No 2 is best.

Sarah248

Hi there, yes, Keith spent the summer on a sunny patio until early October and his pot sits in a saucer so the water drains away. You might have a point about the compost. I have a feeling, when I repotted him a year ago, I just used multipurpose? 

philippasmith2

I think you will find that 4 seasons is a fairly old variety.  It is true that at any time of the year it can have both flowers, embryo and maturing fruit together at the same time.  However, the conditions need to be optimum when growing outside it's natural area - i.e. the UK.
4 seasons  was the first citrus I bought in the late '80's when I lived in France and it was still going strong some 25 years later.
Keith would definitely benefit from a JI mix - probably 3 given the size.  Check you have given him a large enough pot too.
You say when you bought him, he was full of buds and embryo fruit - he will have been raised in the best conditions for sale - if you are unable to continue with the ideal environment, Keith will simply shrug his branches and do the best he can.  Garden Centres which sell Citrus trees need to be a tads more honest.