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Lemon tree starts


Growing Lemon Trees from Seed

Growing lemon trees from seed is simple, and they thrive with minimal care indoors (or outside in warm locations).

Lemons are a great way to add flavor and bright acidity to home-cooked meals.  Beyond our everyday cooking, I use them by the dozen making homemade limoncello. I also usually add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to homemade jam recipes, to both balance the sugar and add pectin to help the jam set.

All of that adds up to a lot of lemons in a year, which in turn means a lot of lemon seeds.  

I always felt bad just composting them.  Why not plant lemon seeds instead?

It turns out, lemon trees are incredibly easy to grow from seed.  The seeds germinate so easily that some people plant them by the cup full and grow them as a potpourri (since the young leaves are so fragrant).

Lemon leaf potpourri might be a nice novelty, but I’m more interested in growing lemon trees from seed.  About a decade ago I started planting lemon seeds and raising lemon trees at home so I could harvest our own homegrown lemons.

The trees aren’t exactly hardy here in Vermont, but growing lemon trees in pots allows you to bring them indoors during the winter months.

These fast-growing trees go from seedling to producing full-sized lemons in about 3 years, so it’s well worth the effort.

A young lemon tree seedling on our windowsill. This one’s just a few months old, but it’s already about 6-8” tall.

Growing Lemon Trees from Seed

Growing a lemon tree from seed, whether it eventually produces fruit or not, is a worthwhile endeavor if you’re curious about propagating seeds or learning how citrus trees grow.  They’re fun houseplants that are not only beautiful but the leaves and foliage smell wonderful. 

The actual fruit is just the icing on the cake, but it doesn’t take much to get them to produce.

Grown indoors, lemon trees will typically produce fruit after 2 to 3 years. Sometimes you’ll get a tree that doesn’t end up growing lemons, but that doesn’t mean the tree itself is a lemon, so to speak, as tending to a fruit-less lemon plant is still a pleasant and rewarding experience.

All you need to get started is a healthy-looking, juicy lemon (more specifically, its seeds). If possible, choose an organic lemon, or one that hasn’t been treated with pesticides.

Remove the seeds from a cut lemon carefully, they need to be intact (read: no cuts) when planted. I use my fingers to remove them from the fruit and then rinse them off using cool water, you want to get rid of any remaining pulp as the residual sugar causes fungus to grow, which in turn leads to seed rot.

Lemon seeds pulled out of a fresh organic lemon.

Lemon Tree Seed Germination

Unlike some seeds that require a germination period in paper towel or water, lemon seeds should be planted as soon as they’ve been rinsed.

Try not to let them dry out, they should still be wet when planted.

Plant the wet lemon seeds in a small pot with drainage holes, using pasteurized soil mix (the pasteurization part is important, as it improves the likelihood your lemon seeds will grow without issue).

At this point in the process, you can plant several seeds in a single pot. The seeds only need to be planted a 1/2-inch deep to successfully propagate, the soil should be gently moistened with water and the container covered with plastic wrap to keep the growing environment damp but not wet. 

The growing lemon seeds need to be kept in warm environment, about 70° F, during the initial germination period. If your house runs cold, the top of the refrigerator is a good place to keep the pots.

Depending on the seeds and growing conditions, you should see growth in 1 to 3 weeks. 

As soon as you notice the seedlings poking through the soil, remove the plastic wrap and place the pot in a warm, bright location. When the seedlings have grown several leaves, it’s time to transplant them to larger potting containers.

Using the same pasteurized soil mix as before, carefully move the seedings into containers that are 4 to 6 inches in diameter.

As the tree grows, replant it in a larger container to match its size and give the plant a good pruning in the spring.

Lemon Tree Care

The planted, germinated seedlings should be placed in a location where they’ll receive at least 6 hours of sunlight during the day, at a temperature between 60° and 70° F.

Keep the soil moist by watering when the top 2 to 3 inches feels dry, you can test this by sticking your finger directly into the soil and feeling for wetness. Like other plants, when lemon trees need water the leaves will begin to droop.

Unless you live in a truly cold climate, bring your lemon trees outside when the warm weather hits. Even if this is only for a few months, the steady, direct sun will make it so your trees are more likely to eventually produce fruit.

I’m fortunate, also, that we have a small greenhouse built off of the side of the house, which is where we keep our potted lemon trees throughout the spring and autumn months.  The greenhouse extends their “outdoor” time, but we still have to bring them indoors for the coldest part of winter.

Lemon trees growing in our attached greenhouse in spring, next to our annual garden starts. They’re about ready to go outdoors for the summer season, once the risk of frost is past.

Lemon Tree Hardiness

Lemon trees are usually hardy to zone 9, meaning they can handle a very occasional light frost.  They’ll take damage if the temps go below 32 F (or 0 C), but most can survive to 28 F (or -2 C).  Some trees are a bit tougher and can make it as low as 22 F (or -5 C), but it’s best not to risk it.

When you see a frost warning in your area, it’s time to bring your lemon trees indoors for the season.

Best Fertilizer for Indoor Lemon Trees

You can keep your lemon trees happy during the warmer months by feeding them a water-soluble nitrogen- and potassium-rich fertilizer every two to four weeks, making sure the surrounding soil stays nice and moist (but not overwatered or soggy). 

A common mistake is to apply fertilizer to lemon trees in winter when they’re indoors.  People see the trees dropping leaves and panic.  They start watering more and add fertilizer, which is just the opposite of what the trees need.

If the trees start to drop leaves indoors in the winter, reduce watering, stop fertilizing and allow the trees to go dormant.  They’ll perk right back up in the spring once they’re in bright light again.

Winter Lemon Tree Care

The type of lemon tree winter care your plants need is entirely dependent on where you live, ambient temperature, and light exposure. So, for example, if you’re from a warm locale such as California or Florida, you can keep lemon tree plants outside in their pots all year long.

On the other hand, if you’re living in a cooler climate where the days get very short during the winter, it’s vital that the plants are brought indoors during that time. Keep the trees in a warm, draft-free location inside.

Reduce the watering schedule and cease fertilizer applications, waiting to resume until the following spring.

Here in Vermont, we keep our lemon trees indoors for the winter for about 4 months of the year.

As you can see in the photos, the greenhouse is an ideal place to grow citrus trees indoors during the shoulder seasons. The main idea is to avoid frost, so bring in the lemon trees before the first frost and after the (hopefully) last frost of the winter.

It’s normal, and in fact healthy, for plants to undergo a state of dormancy during this time. You might find the lemon tree stops growing or it loses some of its leaves; this is your plant’s way of conserving its energy and isn’t something to be worried about.

Once the weather warms up and the sunlight increases your lemon tree will begin to grow with gusto once more.

This 18-month-old lemon tree seedling is just going out to our attached greenhouse in the late winter. You can still see snow on the ground outside, but the greenhouse will allow the lemon tree to get a jump start on the growing season before it moves outdoors in the summer.

Harvesting and Using Lemons

After a period of 1 to 3 years, your lemon tree might begin to produce fruit. Lemons can take up to 6 month to ripen, depending on the variety, and are ready to be picked when they have firm, glossy skin and are 2 to 3 inches in size.

If you’re growing lemons from seed in a colder climate, your lemon crop will be small.

If, however, you lived in warmer part of the United States (or any other warm climate), you’ll be able to harvest lemons by the bucketload.

In either case, preserving lemons by one means or another is a fantastic way to hang on to that “fresh from the tree” flavor. My favorite and most hands-off way of preserving lemons is to make limoncello, a traditional sweet-tart Italian digestif that can be sipped on its own after a meal or mixed into a cocktail (like this effervescent drink made with limoncello, prosecco, and sparkling lemon soda).

Looking for more ways to preserve the fruits of your labor? Check out these options:

Seedling Growing Guides

Try growing other perennial plants and trees from seed!

How to Grow Lemon Trees from Seed (& Other Citrus Fruits)

This easy method shows how to save seeds from citrus fruit including oranges, lemons, tangerines, kumquat, and more, and grow them into houseplants. The steps shown will ensure an excellent germination rate.

I also have an easy method for growing avocado pits and starting mango plants from seed.

Grow Citrus Plants from Seed

Can you save seeds from citrus fruit and grow them into plants? Yes. And it really is easy.

Whether the fruit came from a grocery store or farmer’s market, if it has seeds, you can grow them.

Orange, lemons including Meyer lemon, tangerine, clementine, mandarin, lime, kumquat, and grapefruit with seeds are all candidates.

The steps (below) show you how to prepare the seeds, germinate them, and plant them pots.

While citrus is a tropical plant, it can be grown in colder climates as a potted houseplant, spending summers outdoors and winters indoors.

Contents

What to Expect

Will they grow fruit?

Yes, it is possible. But only if the plant has just what it needs—and that’s a big IF.

Citrus plants are slow-growing which means it will take several years with good growing conditions to flower and then fruit. Some may never flower.

Most of the citrus fruits we enjoy are hybrids. Grapefruit is a good example. It was an accidental hybrid created from sweet orange (C. sinensis) and pomelo (C. maxima) cross-pollinating.

And that means, while any viable citrus seeds you sow can become beautiful, productive plants, hybrid plants—if they produce fruit—the fruit will not be the same in taste or appearance as the one it came from. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s just different.

Satsuma tangerines are one of the few citrus plants that bears fruit similar to the parent when grown from seed.

To me, growing a plant from seed all the way to the fruiting stage is a big, fun accomplishment regardless of the taste.

How do commercial growers do it? How do they get the same fruit over and over again?

They use grafted plants. Cuttings are taken from the desired plant (scion) and attached to a rootstock from another citrus variety. This is cloning and it’s essentially the same plant making more fruit.

If you want to be sure your citrus tree grows fruit true to the parent, start with a grafted tree, or use species seeds (not hybrids).

TIP: Winter is a good time to germinate citrus seeds so you have the warmth and light of spring and summer to get the plants established.

Can’t I just toss seeds in some soil and get a plant that way?

Yes, absolutely! But, if you want a 100% success rate—and know ahead of time that the seeds will germinate and do so quickly—instead of waiting many weeks to discover it’s not going to work—do the extra steps listed (below).

How big will a potted citrus tree grow?

It’s up to you. Citrus trees in-ground get quite large but, by growing in containers, growth is somewhat inhibited.

As your plant grows, you can repot it into the next size container until it’s as large as you want it.

Often the weight of the container determines the stopping point because it gets too heavy to lug around.

Once the plant is as large as you want (years from now), you can root prune it to keep it healthy. This is just how it sounds: you remove the plant from the container, trim back the roots, replenish the potting mix, and repot it.

There are more tips on citrus plant care below.

The instructions are also included in my book, Kitchen Propagation Handbook which includes tutorials on growing avocado, mango, citrus fruits, pineapple, ginger, tomato, and bulbing onions.

How to Sprout Citrus Seeds

Supplies

For Clay and Other Non-Plastic Pots

For Plastic Pots

Organic Potting Mix | Amazon

Organic Cacti Potting Mix | Amazon

Citrus Fertilizer | Amazon

Steps

1Get Citrus Fruit

Depending on the time of year and your location, you may have quite a variety of fruit to choose from at the store.

When I first tested this out, I bought one of everything because I had never really paid attention to the seeds before.

Be sure to get the ID stickers that come with the fruit in many stores (they have the SKU barcode on them). You want to know exactly what the name of the fruit is, where it’s from, and have this info to further research it (if desired).

Some citrus fruit has nice, plump seeds—that we may not like for eating but work great for germinating.

Others have odd, flat seed-like shells, seemingly devoid of any real growing power. Those are not likely to germinate.

Either way, the next steps will get this sorted out.

Related: How to Grow an Apple Tree From Seed

2Make Plant Tags

Kiwi? No, it’s not citrus but you can sprout those seeds too!

It’s always helpful to know what you’re growing and keep that info with the seed/ plant for future reference.

I had some old nametag cardstock (Avery nametags 5390) for my printer  so I made labels. You can email me to request a copy of my Word template if you want to use mine.

If possible, make the tags water-resistant (so the ink doesn’t run) and get some binder clips to attach them to your seed / plant containers.

I put the SKU stickers on the tags for future reference.

3Gather Seeds

Cut the fruit in half, top to bottom (if top navel is visible). This avoids damaging too many seeds with the knife, as many seeds tend to form around the middle horizontally.

Gently remove all seeds and set fruit aside.

Discard any seeds that look strange—small, flat, empty shells, etc.

Some fruit has a lot of seeds, others may have few. The grapefruit (photo, above) had just one seed total but it was a good one and grew into a tree.

4Test for Empty Seed Shells

There’s a test called the Float Test intended to check if seeds are viable.

While it’s unreliable for many types of seeds, I do use it to check larger citrus seeds sometimes.

Here’s why.

Sometimes a seed coat is empty because the seed has not formed.

If you can’t tell by sight or feel, a float test at least indicates if there is some mass inside.

When you put the seed in water, if there is mass, it should sink.

If the seed is empty and filled with air, it should float.

It’s not fool-proof but can at least help narrow down which seeds are worth (trying to) germinate.

If seeds have jelly-like coating, rinse in a strainer and gently push it off with soft towel.

5Remove Seed Coat

This step can significantly speed up the germination time.

Seeds naturally come with outer protection that prevents unwanted germination. It’s super smart.

For citrus, the seeds have both a hard seed coat (made of two half shells sealed together), protecting the tender seed inside, and there may also be gel around the seed, to provide an additional barrier.

That’s why the seeds don’t sprout in the fruit—the moisture can’t reach them—it’s very cool!

To make germination go faster, we can remove both that gel coat (Step 3) and the hard shell.

Look for the hard, flat pointed end of the seed shell and snip it off with nail clippers, careful not to damage the actual seed inside.

Gently slide your fingernail between the two shell pieces to pry them open/apart and remove them (break them apart).

There are also skin-like layers inside which I leave alone (the seed will grow fine with the skin there). Don’t worry if some skin falls off.

Now you’ve got the soft seed. Be gentle with it!

6Germinate the Seeds

Moisten a few sheets of paper towel and place the seeds on it, at least an inch apart in all directions to leave room for root growth.

Cover with another layer of moist paper towel and place in a food storage tub with lid or food storage bag.

You want the seeds in contact with warm moisture ongoing. Not too damp. And don’t let them dry out.

Attach your plant tag with a binder clip and place everything in a warm, dark location. I put them in a kitchen cupboard.

I put reminders in my phone to check on them every 2-3 days. Occasionally I forget and weeks later find this crazy-good thing growing in my cupboard!

7Check on the Seeds

Check the seeds every few days.

If needed, spritz the towel to keep it moist. You want it moist, not dry or soaking wet.

Some will sprout really fast! Others may take weeks. Some will be duds.

Wrap it back up and put it back in the cupboard. We want roots at least an inch long before planting.

8Plant Seedlings

When there is at least an inch of roots, you can sow the seedlings in potting mix.

The roots often look thick and off-white, like bean sprouts.

In some cases, the plant stem may also start growing.

Plant the sprouted seed in a small cup, pot, or other container with drainage holes.

A regular organic potting mix is good for clay and other non-plastic pots. You could also use a cacti potting mix with plastic pots because they retain more moisture.

I prefer to use separate little pots but sometimes I have limited room for lighting so I will put them all in one container for the first few months.

Citrus seedlings

Position the roots just below the soil surface. Any other growth can be above soil level. Gently press the potting mix around the plant so it’s snugly in place.

Water thoroughly, top up potting mix if needed, and gradually transition plant to a warm, sunny location over a few weeks.

This next photo shows two lemon trees I started from seed a year and a half ago . One I moved to a larger flower pot and the other I kept in the red cup. You can see how much bigger the up-potted one has grown: clearly they like room for their roots.

9Grow a Citrus Tree
How long will it take to grow my citrus plant?

Citrus trees are slow-growers and heavy feeders, doing best with 8-12 hours of sunlight per day.

The less light, the slower the growth.

I started several different hybrids from seed and after 5 months (from the day I removed the seed from the fruit) they range in size from 4 to 7 inches tall.

Keep in mind that reduced light and warmth in winter (indoors) will slow or stall growth.

It may be 3-5 years before flowers form, then pollination can occur (you can help it), and fruit forms.

Small fruit may ripen over several months, larger fruit can take much longer.

You can help the plant grow faster by using supplemental grow lights.

Use fertilizer specifically for citrus plants and follow the application instructions on the label.

Basic Citrus Tree Care Tips – Container Growing

1. Provide 8-12 hours of sunlight each day. Avoid direct, burning sun.
2. Ensure pot has good drainage.
3. Use a slow-release fertilizer for citrus plants as directed.
4. Keep outdoors until temperatures reach 40°F (4°C), then bring inside for winter.
5. Transition the plant (over days or weeks) gradually to avoid shock.
6. Do not allow soil to dry out. Moderate, even moisture is best. Use a moisture meter to be sure.
7. Most citrus plants are self-pollinating; some benefit from pollination assistance (you or insects).
8. Treat spider mites with neem oil spray.
9. Remove mealy bugs with rubbing alcohol.

Get the Ebook

Kitchen Propagation Handbook
7 Fruits & Vegetables To Regrow As Houseplants

by Melissa J. Will

Learn how to grow houseplants from avocado, oranges, lemons, ginger, and more using leftover pits, seeds, and roots.

About This Ebook

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How to Grow Citrus Trees from Seed

Step-by-step instructions for taking seeds from citrus fruits including oranges and lemons and growing them into houseplants.

Total Time1 hr

Author: Melissa J. Will

Cost: $10

Lemon tree care at home in winter and summer

Having a lemon tree at home has many advantages. With the help of such a tree, tasty, healthy and fragrant fruits are independently grown.

The plant becomes a decoration of any room, delighting every guest.

Lemon tree care at home is a simple and straightforward process if you follow the basic guidelines and consider optimal conditions.

Reasons for growing lemon at home

The advantages of growing lemon crops include:

During the flowering period, beautiful, bright flowers appear. The lemon tree impresses with its evergreen and fluffy crown.

Nuances of growing

At home, it will not be difficult to properly care for this plant. But the main nuances of the process include:

  1. preparing a spacious area in the room;
  2. the plant should receive a lot of sunlight;
  3. the plant requires regular ventilation;
  4. provides optimal drainage;
  5. high-quality top dressing is introduced;
  6. in winter the tree is kept cool;
  7. several years pass from the moment of planting to obtaining lemons;
  8. with proper care, the tree pleases its owners with durability, incredibly pleasant aroma and healthy fruits. nine0016

Over time, the plant grows stronger and begins to bloom. Only after that the first lemons appear, which are not large in size. But every year the harvest becomes more generous.

Favorable conditions for planting

You can grow a lemon tree from a stone or seedling. In the first case, there is a high probability that the bone will not be accepted, so it is advisable to purchase a strong seedling. Seedlings are selected from a tree grown in the Russian climate. nine0003

If the plant is brought from the Caucasus, then it can only be grown in a cool room, so a greenhouse or winter garden is suitable. At home, such a plant quickly dies.

Planting rules include:

Attention! The lemon tree needs suitable air humidity, so if the apartment is too dry, this will negatively affect flowering and fruiting.

Temperature

The optimum temperature for plant development is +17 degrees. During the period of fruit development, the temperature rises to 22 degrees. In summer, with significant warming, flowers and ovaries fall off, and with sharp temperature changes in autumn and winter, leaves fall. Therefore, artificial optimal conditions are created for the tree. nine0003

The soil temperature must be the same as the air temperature, and it is also forbidden to transfer the plant to a heated room from the open air if there is a significant difference in temperature or humidity.

Lighting

Lemon trees need soft and good lighting. In summer, it has to be protected from direct rays, which lead to burns. In winter, there is an acute shortage of light, so fluorescent lamps are purchased, under which the plant is at least 5 hours a day. nine0003

If the tree is left in the shade for too long, it will slow down its development and also cause a significant reduction in the leaves.

Choosing a pot

The pot for planting is selected according to the size and age of the tree. The young tree is grown in a small plastic container. Transplantation is carried out in pots that are 2 cm wider than the previous container in diameter.

A mature tree is planted in large flowerpots. But it is not recommended to choose too deep containers, as the root system rots in them and the soil turns sour. nine0003

Soil

Planting a lemon tree requires neutral and sterilized soil. It should be saturated with numerous nutrients. It is recommended to choose a universal soil specifically designed for citrus fruits. It can be replaced with homemade soil. For this, 2 parts of garden soil are used, 1 part of sifted turf, to which a little wood ash or lime is added, 1 part of sand and 1 part of peat.

Sand is easily replaced by artificial substrates such as vermiculite or perlite. nine0003

Expanded clay is ideal for creating drainage. In properly prepared soil, the tree grows for several years, so only high-quality components are selected.

Care instructions

Optimum care is taken to get a strong plant that produces a large annual yield. It consists in proper lighting, top dressing, watering and moisturizing. Even the slightest mistakes cause a deterioration in appearance and a decrease in yield.

Watering and spraying

The longevity of the plant depends on the correct watering. If a lemon tree is bought by an inexperienced gardener, then it literally dies within a few weeks. The main reason is illiterate watering. Therefore, in order for the plant to be healthy and strong, the following rules are taken into account:

  1. the plant is watered only with settled water once a day;
  2. it is allowed to water the tree every 2 days, but with the obligatory monitoring of the state of the soil; nine0016
  3. in winter, watering is carried out 2 times a week;
  4. the accumulating water in the pan is immediately drained, otherwise the root system will quickly rot;
  5. leaves are sprayed daily with settled and warm water;
  6. it is allowed to increase the amount of spraying in winter if the air in the apartment becomes too dry due to the operation of the heating.

Beginners must find a balance between overflow and lack of water. If the plant does not receive enough moisture, then the leaves turn yellow. With excessive watering, the process of decay begins. nine0003

Attention! If yellow leaves are found, then it is advisable to spray the tree abundantly with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

In the summer, it is important to use a warm shower, but it is required no more than once a month.

Top dressing

Citrus fruits are plants that are extremely sensitive to applied fertilizers. Therefore, preparations are regularly changed, since when using only one top dressing, the acidity of the soil changes. This leads to poor yields, disease or slow development. nine0003

When choosing fertilizers, the recommendations are taken into account:

The most suitable is an infusion made from birch leaves and quinoa.

Pruning

Needed to improve the appearance of the lemon tree. If the tree is small and grown only for decorative purposes, then it does not need sprawling and large branches. Therefore, they are completely cut off, which allows you to make a compact crown.

For trees that produce a crop, it is required to balance the number of branches and shoots. Therefore, instead of standard pruning, pinching is carried out. It is carried out for plants older than one year. For this, the main shoot is pre-cut, and about 30 cm of length is left. Pinching is done after the tree gets stronger, and new branches appear. nine0003

Propagation

It is allowed to propagate the lemon tree by cuttings or seeds. If a seed is planted, then you can enjoy the first fruits only after 8 years. For cuttings, this period is reduced to 4 years.

Care rules depending on the period

The tree needs specific care, taking into account the period, which can be represented by flowering, dormancy or fruiting:

  1. Flowering. At this time, the tops of the shoots acquire a purple color. Large flowers appear in the spring after the appearance of the first bud. The flowering period lasts about two months. Only after the petals fall does the fruit set. During the year, one tree may have small fruits, ovaries, buds and flowers. No need to pluck the inflorescences, as they become ovaries. When flowering, standard care is provided. The plant is protected from drafts, and is also regularly sprayed. There should be about 10 leaves per 1 inflorescence. The remaining ovaries are removed, otherwise many small and tasteless fruits will be obtained. nine0016
  2. Fruiting. The fruit ripens after tying for 200 days. During this period, the plant needs nourishment and good watering. The number of fruits usually does not exceed 8 pieces. During this period, specific care is not required, so it is enough just to remove the fruits in a timely manner.
  3. Peace. It falls during the winter period. It is necessary to create optimal conditions so that during active growth the tree fully blooms and bears fruit. Therefore, the plant is kept at a cool temperature. Before the dormant period, flowers and shoots are removed. The temperature is in the range from 12 to 17 degrees. Minimal watering is required, but the soil must not dry out. Spraying is carried out several times a week. nine0016

With proper care in each period of time, the rapid development of a lemon tree is ensured.

Care at different times of the year

In spring, the tree wakes up, so active growth begins. At this time, he needs a lot of sunlight, so it is advisable to use lamps. In warm weather, it can be taken outside. The room in which the tree is located must be ventilated, as air flow is required.

In summer, it is advisable to put the plant outside or even bury it in the country. nine0003

In autumn, the tree returns home, and it must be carefully inspected, as appropriate preparations are used when pests or diseases are detected. A warm shower is arranged, and the leaves are washed well.

Before wintering, watering is gradually reduced and the amount of fertilizer applied is reduced. In winter, a dormant period begins, so a cool temperature is maintained, and watering is also reduced.

Transplanting

The tree is grown only in the right pot, so as it grows it needs to be transplanted into a larger container. nine0003

Attention! Too large a pot causes root rot.

The size of the container is increased gradually, for which the growth of the roots is taken into account. Transplantation is carried out in a standard way, for which an earthen lump is pulled out of the pot, transferred to a prepared container. After that, the citrus culture is put in its original place. Change of environment negatively affects development.

What to do if the plant dries up

The lemon tree dries out usually when the soil is not properly selected or watered too much, as this leads to rotting of the roots. When transplanting, the rules for gradually increasing the size of the container should be taken into account, otherwise the soil will quickly turn sour. nine0003

Sometimes the plant dries out when attacked by pests that are located on the trunk or in the roots. The frequent movement of the pot from one place to another is detrimental. If the tree is watered too infrequently, then it simply dries out from lack of moisture.

To combat drying out, the cause is determined, after which pest control products are applied, a special top dressing for citrus fruits is applied, or the plant returns to its original place.

What to do if the leaves have fallen

The reason for dropping leaves is poor lighting. The lemon tree is depleted, so it cannot provide all the necessary nutrients to the available leaves.

Therefore, if the leaves begin to fall off, then the pot is immediately placed on the windowsill on the south side so that the plant can get a lot of light. In cloudy weather, artificial lighting is provided.

Why there are no fruits

Lemon trees can bloom profusely, but the ovaries fall off without producing fruit. There are various reasons for this:

  1. lack of cross-pollination, which you have to do yourself with a cotton pad or an ordinary brush;
  2. exposure to pests, since even the slightest infestation leads to stunted growth and lack of fruit;
  3. the plant blooms even in winter, therefore, due to the lack of rest, forces for fruiting are not restored;
  4. abundant flowering, which becomes an obstacle to the appearance of fruits, so you need to get rid of numerous flowers yourself; nine0016
  5. lack of feeding.

After determining the exact cause, it becomes possible to cope with the lack of fruiting.

Protection against diseases and pests

Usually diseases appear only in the absence of proper care. For example, if a plant lacks lighting or nutrients, then its leaves brighten. In the absence of the required amount of moisture, foliage falls. Dry air is accompanied by the cessation of flowering and darkening of the leaves. nine0003

The following parasites are found among pests:

Attention! The sooner pests are identified, the higher the likelihood that they will not be able to cause irreparable harm to the lemon tree.

Conclusion

The lemon tree is a beautiful plant that can produce tasty and healthy fruits every year. But it needs high-quality and sophisticated care. Even small mistakes cause disease, lack of fruit or poor-quality flowering. Therefore, proper watering, regular spraying, good top dressing and timely transplantation are required. nine0003

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Among the trees that are grown at home, the lemon is unpretentious. This small tree is quite easy to care for, aesthetically pleasing in appearance and, under the conditions of maintenance, usually remains strong and healthy. But, like any houseplant, lemon is susceptible to a number of infectious diseases. Diseases of the lemon tree spoil its appearance, weaken the roots and leaves, and in advanced cases can even lead to the death of the plant. In order to prevent such an outcome, you need to carefully monitor the condition of the lemon, take care of it competently, and begin treatment at the first appearance of suspicious symptoms. nine0003

Causes of diseases

Most often, a lemon tree is sick if:

A healthy, strong and strong lemon gets sick less often: the plant's immune system helps to cope with disease-causing agents. He gets sick if the concentration of pathogens around greatly exceeds the norm, or in case of problems with immunity. The diseases themselves can be divided into several groups. nine0003

Infectious diseases. Infections are caused by fungi, bacteria and viruses that live in the soil and sometimes in the air, eg fungal spores can be carried by the wind. Most often, a home plant becomes infected if the pathogen gets on a garden tool; infection rarely occurs during airing.

Pests . These include insects and arachnids that settle on a lemon and begin to feed on its juices. This weakens the plant, depresses its immunity, causes a lack of nutrients. The tree becomes more vulnerable to infections, in addition, pests themselves can carry diseases, infecting the lemon with them. nine0003

Weakened immunity. Sometimes the stunted and diseased condition of a tree is not caused by some infectious agent or pest, but by a poor condition: lack of nutrition or moisture, lack of top dressing. Such a plant is more likely to get sick and become infected more easily, pests love it more. This condition is treated with competent and thoughtful care.

Major diseases of the lemon tree

Gommoz . It is also called gum treatment. This is the state in which the lemon releases gum, a reddish, sticky liquid that is often confused with resin. Gum disease occurs due to mechanical damage to the cortex or infectious diseases, fungal, viral and bacterial. Some sources separate simple gum disease and gummosis: the first is a reaction to mechanical injury, the second is the outflow of gum caused by infection. nine0003

Determination of the cause and treatment of damaged areas will help to combat this phenomenon:

Even if the cause was not a disease, but an ordinary injury, treatment should not be neglected: a wound on the bark of a tree can lead to infection. The damaged area is vulnerable to disease. nine0003

Sooty fungus. This is a fungal disease that is colloquially referred to as black mold because of its characteristic appearance. The fungus infects the leaves: they are covered with dark spots, similar to soot, which increase in size and spread. Occurs against the background of pest infestation: many insects secrete sticky sweet substances that contribute to the appearance of the fungus. The disease does not destroy the tissues of the tree, but interferes with photosynthesis, as a result, the lemon grows poorly and receives less nutrients. Since the main reason for the appearance of soot fungus is pests, in order to completely eliminate the disease, you first need to get rid of them and clean the tree of traces of their secretions. After that, the fungus, which feeds on the waste products of insects, will disappear. Fungicide treatment may also be required. nine0003

Scab . This disease is caused by a fungus that infects the leaves and spreads fairly quickly. In diseased areas there are hard convex spots of dark color. They are round in shape, with time they begin to become covered with plaque. In addition to leaves, scab also affects other above-ground parts of the plant, such as fruits: spots, red and orange dots, and plaque also appear on them. If measures are not taken in time, the fungus can completely destroy the plant, so treatment should be started at the first symptoms. nine0003

Scab is especially active at high humidity, in such cases it is recommended to check how optimal the conditions for keeping a lemon are.

Root rot. The disease is caused by a fungus that lives in the soil: it manifests itself with excessive moisture or stagnant water. The disease is very dangerous, spreads rapidly, depriving the plant of the opportunity to eat normally, and eventually completely destroys the tree. You can suspect the disease if the lemon stopped growing, began to wither, leaves began to fall off it, while there are no signs of infectious diseases of the aerial parts, as well as insects. It will be necessary to act urgently: the lemon will need to be transplanted from infected soil to clean and treated with modern fungicides. Root areas affected by rot will have to be removed, cuts should also be treated with plant injury healing agents, such as charcoal. If the disease is started, the root system can completely rot, after which it will not be possible to save the lemon. nine0003

Warty . It is also a fungal disease that looks like scab, especially in the early stages. The difference is that the spots eventually turn into hard warts that cover the entire plant. Over time, the disease can lead to the death of a lemon tree, requiring urgent treatment with fungicides. You will also need to remove all damaged areas and burn them.

Products "August" for the treatment of lemon diseases

Lemon tree pests

Lemon can get sick not only because of fungi or bacteria. The cause can also be harmful insects and arachnids that suck the juices out of it and contribute to the development of infections. Pests multiply rapidly, and if they are not dealt with, over time they are able to completely destroy the plant - you will have to act quickly. nine0003

Shield . These small insects are covered with a shield - a protective shell that makes them invulnerable to contact agents. Their bodies are up to 5 mm long, brown, rounded. The scale insect sticks mainly to the places of attachment of the leaf cutting to the branch: there they can be found most often. Some recommend using drugs only to kill the larvae, and collect adult insects from the tree with your hands. But you can also destroy insects with the help of Aliot. It has a triple action: in addition to the contact mechanism of work, the agent affects the respiratory and digestive systems of the pest. The pesticide destroys both adults and larvae, allows you to cope not only with scale insects, but also with a number of other pests. You will need to spray the tree with a solution in the proportion of 10 ml per 10 liters of water. Pests will die within 2 hours after treatment, the tree will be protected for another 7–14 days. nine0003

Spider mite. This tiny arachnid is difficult to spot with the naked eye: the infestation is identified by the characteristic cobweb that appears on the plant. If you look closely, among the cobwebs you can find small running dots - ticks. They mainly feed on the juice of young shoots, as a result, they gradually die off, the plant withers and dries out. If you neglect the treatment of a lemon tree, it may die. The drug "Kleshchevit", specially designed to destroy harmful arachnids, will help fight the tick. This is an acaricide of contact-intestinal action, which leads to the death of the pest within 3-4 days after treatment. Ticks stop eating within 6 hours after spraying. The drug must be dissolved in water in a ratio of 2 ml / 1 liter. In case of a massive lesion, up to 4 treatments may be necessary. nine0003

Aphid . A small insect only up to 5 mm in size feeds on plant sap, secretes honeydew, which, in turn, can attract ants or become a haven for infections. Aphids are most often green in color, a different color is less common. The insect sucks the juices from the lemon tree, as a result it receives less nutrition, gradually dries up and dies. Aphids multiply rapidly and are able to soon infect all indoor plants: some pests can fly. At home, the only measure to combat them is insecticides. The preparation "Biotlin" of the company "August" was developed specifically for the destruction of aphids of various species, which lives on various horticultural, horticultural and ornamental crops. This systemic remedy works both by contact and by ingestion, killing both larvae and adult insects in a few hours. The protective effect lasts for 2-3 weeks. nine0003

To prevent the development of diseases and pest infestation, you will need to be careful about caring for a lemon tree. A healthy and strong lemon is less prone to disease. But, if the disease or pest still struck the tree, the fight should begin as soon as possible in order to avoid unpleasant consequences. Modern preparations of the company "August" will help in this, protect your plants from diseases and insects.

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