Life gave me lemons this week! But not in a bad way!
I missed the UPS truck on Thursday. And on Monday. And on Tuesday. But on Wednesday I made the trek up to Commerce City and sat around reading my new favorite book while I waited for the UPS “runner” to retrieve my parcel. The box was marked fragile, but it was extraordinarily light. And there was a funny rustling when I moved it — lighter, scratchier than styrofoam peanuts. I got to my car and opened the box with my car key. At first glance, I thought I had flowers, dead or dying because I had missed so many delivery attempts, with all of their leaves piled in the bottom of the box. But no! It is a Meyer lemon tree from my dear Texan friend! And it’s just going through a little transplant shock, but here’s how it looked (in my bathtub) just after I potted it:
It still pretty much looks the same — a little Charlie Brownish at the moment, but I have high hopes. I think my lovely dinner guests last night were a little perplexed by this transplant-shocked plant. Anyway, I’m excited, and hoping for the best. Any advice from green-thumb types would be appreciated — how do I get leaves on this thing again?
In other news, I have this idea that people I like must like eggplant. And they don’t all like it. Which is baffling, I know. I was concerned about it last night (after I began cooking, and when it was too late to change course), but luckily Eric and Maria liked it, and it was good to catch up. Anyway, I need to start asking the dreaded eggplant question, or finding something a little more universally liked to cook… Or force everyone who ever eats over to eat eggplant… hmm…
Also: NPR on FM sounds really, really super good! Congratulations on the move, KCFR!
3 Comments
July 11, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Let them eat eggplant!
July 11, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Leslie!!! That is so exciting.
I am jealous. I want an indoor citrus tree! Pele would destroy it, though. I can’t keep any houseplants within reach (only have hanging). I don’t know how helpful it is, but here’s a little ‘how to care for indoor citrus’ info:
Caring for Indoor Citrus
Here is a brief guide for keeping your indoor citrus plants happy and healthy:
* Location: Make sure your plants receive five to six hours of sunlight. Set your tree in a southern exposure, if possible, or supplement the light by using 40 watt fluorescent shop lights above the plants.
* Fertilizer: Use an acidic fertilizer during the plant’s active growing season in late winter, June and August. Use a high-nitrogen-low phosphorus food (20-10-10) or one specifically for citrus every time you water.
* Water: Your pot must have good drainage as you water every few days. Mist the leaves and give your tree a shower occasionally.
* Humidity: Homes in winter have drier air, so try a tray of pebbles under the pot.
July 12, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I’m so jealous of your tree! I’ve been trying to grow my dwarf citrus trees for 2 years.