I have a Meyers Lemon tree that I purchased about 11/2 years ago. I keep it on the house during the winter and put on the deck late Spring to lare Fall. I brought it into the house several weeks ago when we started seeing frost. It is not happy at this time and has been dropping leaves like crazy. All the while blooming like it never has before. I've attached some pics of leaves that fell this morning. I also took it out on the deck and gave it a good spray with diluted Neem oil. I thought I saw evidence of spider mites yesterday and thought this maybe why it's dropping leaves like crazy. Last winter it did great inside. It doubled in size, so I reported it when I moved it outside. It even gad a couple of blooms and some tiny lemons that didn't last. But it tried. Anyone else here growing Meyers Lemon trees? Or have in the past? If so, have you had an issue like this with yours? If so, did you figure out what was happening? Did you find a solution? Any advice is appreciated. This is my first time growing one and I am still learning about it. Thanks for your thoughts and ideas!

If there’s one food that brings crunch, color, and a little nostalgia to the table, it’s the pickle. Sweet or sour, spicy or garlic-dill, pickles are proof that simple garden ingredients can become something extraordinary. So when 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 rolls around on 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟒, it’s more than a quirky food holiday, it’s a chance for container gardeners to celebrate how easy and satisfying it is to grow and preserve their own cucumbers right at home. 🌿 🌱 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 Cucumbers might seem like sprawling plants, but with a few smart tricks, they adapt beautifully to containers. In fact, growing them in pots keeps them healthier and more manageable than those that ramble across a garden bed. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬: * 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: It’s easier to monitor watering, soil health, and pests. * 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡: Compact or vining varieties climb trellises and fences, maximizing small spaces. * 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬: Cucumbers grow quickly, within 6–8 weeks, you’re harvesting! The result? Fresh, crisp cucumbers that go from vine to brine in no time. 🪴 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐮𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 If you’re tight on space, choose compact or bush varieties that produce plenty without the sprawl: * ‘𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞’ – Small, firm cucumbers perfect for pickling jars. * ‘𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟖𝟎’ – Grows only 2–3 feet long but produces full-size fruits. * ‘𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫’ – Ideal for pots; tender skin and crisp flavor. * ‘𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐡’ – Short vines, high yields, and great for traditional dill pickles. 𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐓𝐢𝐩: Use a 5-gallon or larger pot with drainage holes, fill it with rich, well-draining soil, and train the vines up a small trellis to save space and improve airflow. ☀️ 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡-𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐂𝐮𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝟏. 𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭. Cucumbers love 6–8 hours of sunlight daily. 𝟐. 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲.Use an organic vegetable fertilizer every 2 weeks once blooms appear. 𝟑. 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐬𝐨𝐢𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐭. Inconsistent watering leads to bitter fruit. 𝟒. 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧. The more you pick, the more your plant produces!

Your plants breathe through their leaves — but when dust builds up, it’s like trying to breathe through a dirty window! Regular cleaning keeps them healthy, shiny, and photosynthesizing at their best. 🌿 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 Dust blocks sunlight and clogs pores (stomata), making it harder for plants to absorb light and release oxygen. Clean leaves = happier, healthier plants. 🧽 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝟏: 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩 Before cleaning, check for pests like spider mites or aphids. If you spot any, treat those first. Then gently support the leaves with your hand to avoid breakage. 💦 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝟐: 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐞 * For sturdy plants like palms, ferns, and philodendrons: * Place in the sink or shower. * Rinse gently with lukewarm water. * Let drain and air-dry out of direct sun. 🌱 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝟑: 𝐖𝐢𝐩𝐞 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 * For delicate or fuzzy-leaved plants (like African violets): * Use a soft cloth or paintbrush to gently remove dust. * For smooth leaves, wipe with a damp microfiber cloth. . 🍋 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝟒: 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 * Skip harsh leaf-shine products! Instead, use a natural solution: * Mix 1 part milk or vinegar with 10 parts water. * Wipe lightly for a soft, natural glow. 🌬️ 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝟓: 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 Dust every 2–3 weeks, especially during winter when indoor air is dry. It’s self-care for your plants — and your home!

This was so much fun seeing the diverse, unusual, spectaculer "Stars" that are growing spectacularly (is that a word?) in our garden loving community!💕 You all are wonderful gardeners! I'm glad this giveaway was a blind draw as everyone presented fabulous entries! But we only have one giveaway prize and one winner, a huge congratulations to........drum roll...... watch the video to find out who.....then be sure to congratulate this months' Potted Garden Society Giveaway Winner.

Which plant stole the show in your container garden this summer? Was it the biggest harvest, the longest-lasting blooms, or just pure beauty? 🌸🍅🌿 Now’s your chance to show it off! 🎁 Prize: A wooden single plant floor stand (valued $25–$35) Adjustable to hold 8"–12" pots Flip it for two height options (14.5" tall) Non-slip pads for stability Rich reddish-brown finish How to Enter: 📸 Post a photo OR 🎥 video of your “Star Plant of the Summer” in the 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲, 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 category. 📅 Giveaway runs Sept 15–25. 🏆 Winner will be drawn randomly on Sept 26 and announced via video! Show us your star — let it shine! ✨