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Where can you grow lemons


How to Grow Lemon Trees

Looking to grow your own citrus fruit and not sure where to start? Learn to grow lemon trees in USDA Zones 8 through 11. Citrus limon offers an awakening scent, color, and flavor. Young leaves are reddish, and mature to a dark green on the surface and light green below. Be aware there are often sharp thorns on the twigs of the tree. Mildly fragrant flowers come from reddish buds. These blooms are either solitary or in small clusters of two or more. Four or five petals make up one flower, each of which is white on top and subtly purple beneath. Light-yellow to warm yellow fruit is oval and dotted with oil glands.

Though the lemon is native to Asia, its true origin is unclear. It likely migrated from India and into Italy, then throughout the Mediterranean region in the 2nd century. Lemon seeds finally arrived across the ocean, but the fruit didn't take off commercially until crops in Florida flourished in the 1950s.

Plant your lemon tree in the spring after the danger of frost has passed and you can expect it to be established within three years.

Botanical Name Citrus limon (Rutaceae)​
Common Name Lemon tree
Plant Type Broadleaf evergreen
Mature Size 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide
Sun Exposure Full sun 
Soil Type Well-drained fertile soil
Soil pH Slightly acidic and low in soluble salts
Bloom Time Spring
Flower Color White
Hardiness Zones 8-11 (USDA)
Native Area Asia
Toxicity Toxic to dogs and cats

How to Plant Lemon Trees

Lemon trees grow 10 to 20 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide. Space accordingly. Dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the root ball. If the root is bound, cut across the ball a few times; this will loosen the roots and encourage them to reach for nutrients in well-drained fertile soil.

Tropical and semi-tropical climates are best for growing lemons. The trees prefer low to moderate rainfall while growing in mild winters and warm to hot dry summer heat, which is why they are successfully grown in the sub-tropical "citrus belt" of the United States, which ranges from California along the Gulf Coast to Florida.

In Zone 8, plant a cold-hardy variety such as Meyer, which produces nearly seedless fruit and a plentiful harvest on even a small plant. Try Lisbon and Eureka in Zones 9 through 11.

Lemon Tree Care

Light

Lemon trees thrive in full sun in a place that is protected from the wind. If a freeze is possible in your area, plant on the southwestern side of the house along a wall for protection.

Soil

All citrus trees thrive in soil of medium texture and moderate depth with a slight acidity.

One that is well-drained is an absolute must as root rot is a problem in soggy conditions. Mulching should be avoided to prevent pooling water.

Water

Getting the watering requirements right with your lemon tree is crucial for a successful harvest. During the period of establishment, more frequent watering will be required—even as much as once or twice a week. Once mature, lemon trees develop more drought tolerance.

During the summer months, the soil should be kept moist, especially for young trees. Be careful not to cause waterlogging as boggy conditions are problematic.

Temperature and Humidity

Lemon trees are best grown in warm and humid states. They are the most sensitive to cold weather of all the citrus fruits and thrive in temperatures that range from 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They also prefer the humidity levels to be as close to 50% as possible.

Young trees are particularly sensitive to cold conditions and they should be brought indoors if temperatures take an unexpected drop.

Fertilizer

Like other citrus fruit trees, lemon trees are energy-hungry. Use a complete NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) fertilizer to encourage healthy growth and fruit production.

The Spruce / Kara Riley The Spruce / Kara Riley The Spruce / Kara Riley

Lemon Tree Varieties

There are three main types of lemon trees grown in the warmer parts of the United States.

Harvesting Lemons

It's natural for the flowers to develop into fruit and still take a year to mature to yellow and be mature for harvest. Leave the lemons on the tree to ripen. Like other citrus fruits, they will not ripen off the tree.

Each fruit packs citric acid and plenty of vitamin C. Welcome lemons into your garden and you'll have nutritious, cheerful fruits to last a lifetime. They are perfect for adding to meal recipes and even as an environmentally friendly cleaning option.

Pruning

The different lemon tree varieties have different growth habits, and this can impact pruning requirements. Regardless of variety, prioritize pruning long lateral branches for fruit growth or main leaders for aesthetics. You want a wide canopy to maximize fruit growth.

Pinch foliage to control the shape and encourage bloom. Prune young trees to encourage good branch structure. The upright growth habit of the Lisbon lemon tree means it needs more regular pruning to maintain a strong canopy and good food production.

Propagating Lemon Trees

Of all the citrus fruit trees, lemon trees are one of the easiest to propagate from cuttings.

Semi-hardwood cuttings can be taken from late spring to early summer. Look for new growth that has yet to produce fruit or flowers.

The cutting should be potted in a well-drained, consistently moist medium. They need warmth and humidity to guarantee success.

Overwintering

If you're bringing the lemon tree indoors, place your plant in a well-lit location that is not too warm. In winter, low indoor temperatures similar to early spring will actually encourage flowering. Bring it outdoors in late May to encourage natural pollination and let the fruit grow in the warmer spring and summer temperatures. Return the plant indoors in September.

Lemons are not fans of dry air. If you are concerned, misting or using a humidifier could be beneficial.

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  1. Lemon. ASPCA

Yes! You CAN Grow a Lemon Tree

Have you dreamed of growing a lemon tree but just don’t have the climate for it? Fret no more! Today’s post will share all the tips you need to grow a thriving lemon tree even in cooler climates. Learn why you’d want to grow lemons, if it’s worth the trouble, how to overwinter and care for them, and so much more!

Growing Lemon Trees in Cool Climates

I’m sure that you are well aware that lemon trees are subtropical fruit trees, thriving in sunny, warm climates. They are highly sensitive to frost; however, perhaps you did not know that they are also some of the most forgiving citrus trees.

If you’re a fellow cool-climate gardener and you want to level up your mad gardening skills, growing lemon trees is a fantastic way to reach for the stars, or lemons as the case may be. Those who live in warm, sunny areas may not understand, but growing citrus in cool areas (like Canada) is a big deal!

It takes quite a bit of work but we cherish those little lemon trees. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see a lemon tree dressed up with Christmas lights during the holidays. No, not so they are festive, but because that provides a bit of heat to keep them from freezing.

I have a friend on Vancouver island who lives up on a hill where it’s quite sunny. She’s got a uniquely dry, sunny microclimate, and has been trying to grow lemon trees. She did it—her little lemon tree is budding and she’s thrilled!

Naturally growing outside in hardiness zones 9-11, lemon trees can also be grown as container trees indoors to provide you with fresh lemons right at home. Until fairly recently if your garden didn’t fit those conditions, you just had to shelve your dream of having lemon trees. Until now, that is.

A Guide for Growing Lemon Trees in Colder Climates

I’m thrilled to bring you an interview with Steven Biggs, author of Grow Lemons Where You Think You Can’t. This book is a treasure trove of information that I am positive that you’ll love!

An author and garden master, Steven first made the case for growing fig trees in the colder Canadian climate. Now, he’s back showing us how to grow lemon trees – and providing amazing tips (and recipes!) too.

I first met Steven when we did a Twitter chat together, after which he and his daughter were kind enough to invite me on their podcast, the Food Garden Life Show with Steven and Emma Biggs (you can find our particular episode here). After that, Steven sent me a book he wrote on lemons and I was totally blown away by it! I asked him if he would be kind enough to share some info about his book and growing lemons with you all…and here we are!

I am very happy that Steven tackled this topic because far too often people feel like if they live in a climate where a plant won’t grow naturally, they can’t grow that plant at all. Thankfully as I shared above, it’s not impossible to grow citrus even in the coolest of climates. It just takes a certain know-how coupled with grit and determination.

Read my interview with Steven below to catch some gems that can help you right now. Then grab his book, Grow Lemons Where You Think You Can’t, as your guide for growing lemons.

How to Grow a Lemon Tree Where You Think You Can’t

I couldn’t be more excited to share this information-loaded interview with you. Find out more about Steven, his book, and growing lemons (even in climates you think they won’t grow).

1. Please tell me the story about how you started growing lemons in a cold climate garden. There has to be a story there!

As a student, I spent a summer working at a nursery in England that housed the UK National Collection of Citrus…if you can believe that there’s such a thing! There’s a tradition in the UK of growing potted non-hardy fruit trees—and that summer job introduced me to this tradition, and, in particular, growing citrus in cold climates (and also to figs…but that’s another story).

Fast-forward a few years, and my neighbours, Joe and Gina, asked if I would like their lemon tree when they moved. I was honoured. Joe grew it from a seed in 1967.

My wife, Shelley, was horrified when I put a six-foot-high tree in the window of our tiny living room over the winter…until it started to bloom and the fragrance filled the room!

 

2. I know that lemon trees are sun-lovers. Where do lemon trees grow best?

Lemons grow best in full sun. My potted lemon trees hang out on my sunny patio for the summer. Having said that, it’s important to point out that as home gardeners, we don’t always have perfect growing conditions.

I’ve grown my potted lemons in part sun with very good results.

3. What makes homegrown lemons better than store-bought lemons, or bottled lemon juice?

With a store-bought lemon, you get some juice and zest.

With a homegrown lemon, you get:

Of course, there’s the freshness of the lemon, too, which anyone who has used a shriveled supermarket lemon will understand!

4. Can you grow a lemon tree from seed? How long will it take to fruit if you grow it from seed?

Yes, lemons can easily be grown from seed.

It’s a fun project for kids to help out with as well.

All you need to do is:

However, if your goal is to have fruit as soon as possible, I’d suggest buying a plant. That’s because your lemon seedling will go through a “juvenile” stage before it flowers and fruits…and that can take a few years.

 

5. How long does it take a lemon tree to grow?

Plants you get at a garden centre are reproduced “asexually,” which simply means that they’re made using wood from a mature plant (usually budding or grafting, like apple trees. See a video of grapfting Japanese maple trees here. )

That means that your little store-bought plant thinks it’s a grownup and is ready to flower right away. How quickly the plant grows depends on the size of the pot it’s given as well if it’s well-fed, and the location.

6. Can you grow a lemon tree indoors? Is it worth the trouble?

Yes, you can grow a lemon tree indoors. It’s worth it if you like the smell of the flowers and cooking with the deliciously fragrant leaves.

I overwintered Joe and Gina’s tree indoors for many years until I changed tactics and started to overwinter it somewhere cold and dark.

Two things to keep in mind if you’re growing indoors:

  1. It’s rarely as bright in front of a window as it is outdoors—and this can be fine for overwintering. But, if there’s an opportunity to move the plant outdoors over the summer, I would recommend doing that.
  2. Hot, dry conditions indoors over the winter (from forced-air heating) can give conditions that are ideal for insect pests such as spider mites—so check your plants for pests periodically.

7. What’s the best fertilizer for lemon trees?

Feeding plants is a bit like cooking: Everyone has a personal favourite recipe. Some people like to use specialized formulations for citrus. I’m low fuss when it comes to feeding, so I keep a general-purpose feed that all of my plants get.

The one thing I highly recommend is to look at the fertilizer label to make sure it has micronutrients because that can help prevent a couple of common deficiencies.

 

8. How do you overwinter a lemon tree?

There are so many options. These days, I have a cold greenhouse that gets down to just above freezing in the winter. It’s just fine for citrus.

Before I had a greenhouse, I kept them in my cold, dark garage for the winter. (They’re fine without light when it’s cold…they stop growing.)

As I mentioned above, you can bring the plants indoors for winter. And, my favourite idea (which I can’t use here in Toronto because it’s too cold) for more moderate climates is to cover with a string of insulating lights and an insulating cover for the winter.

I have a friend in North Vancouver who gets a great citrus harvest this way.

9. What are your favourite lemon varieties to grow?

Meyer lemon, hands down. It has a compact, bushy growth that makes it suited to growing in a pot. And it’s amazingly productive. It’s actually a lemon-like citrus relative. The taste is milder than a conventional lemon, and the zest has a wonderful taste. (It makes a fantastic sorbet…see below.)

 

10. What are your favourite ways to use homegrown lemons?

Right now it’s BBQ season, so I’m taking lemon leaves, wrapping them around a wedge of haloumi cheese, and then grilling them on the BBQ. You don’t eat the leaf but it imparts a delicious flavour in the cheese (and I suggest haloumi because it keeps its shape when grilled, and doesn’t melt away).

My other favourite is Meyer Lemon Sorbet.

11. How cold can lemon trees get over the winter?

Lemons can withstand temperatures slightly below freezing.

A few things affect cold hardiness including:

But the main consideration? The fruit freezes at around -3°C…so you’d never want to let the tree get colder than that or you’d lose your fruit.

12. What’s the #1 way to kill a lemon tree?

Overwatering is the number one way to kill your lemon tree. Lemons don’t like sopping wet soil around their roots. If you’re not sure whether to water, stick your finger right into the soil in the pot to get an idea of whether it’s still damp lower down.

 

Author Bio

Horticulturist and author Steven Biggs has a passion for incorporating edible crops into the landscape, creating beautiful, edible landscapes with a long and varied harvest. He was recognized by Garden Making magazine as one of the “green gang” of Canadians making a difference in horticulture. His yard includes a driveway straw-bale garden, rooftop kitchen garden, wicking beds, an edible-themed front yard, and fruit plantings. His book Grow Figs Where You Think You Can’t gives cold-climate gardeners many strategies for successfully growing figs.

Learn more about Steven and grab his book Grow Lemons Where You Think You Can’t on his website.

I hope you loved learning more about how to grow a lemon tree right at home – even if you live in a colder climate. I really enjoyed interviewing Steven – thanks, Steven!

More Growing Guides:

We grow lemons on the windowsill

Growing lemons on the windowsill

Lemon is a very healthy tropical fruit, rich in vitamins and versatile in use. It is often grown as an indoor crop, including from a lemon seed taken from a fruit bought in a regular supermarket. But, planting a lemon seed, you can wait a very long time for the fruits, but never get a crop. It will be more reliable to cultivate special indoor varieties in an apartment, planting citrus cuttings. By the way, lemon is far from the only citrus crop grown on the windowsill. You can achieve success in the cultivation of indoor tangerines, limes and other types of citrus fruits, but lemon is especially popular with indoor gardeners. Today we will talk about how to plant a citrus tree at home and bring the long-awaited harvest closer. nine0003

Why grow lemon at home

Having this citrus tree at home, you will get a lot of benefits. It:

Lemons of indoor varieties are planted in a pot or in a tub. The pot is preferable to choose for the cultivation of dwarf trees, while the tubs are ideal for planting large trees, both from the stone and from the cuttings. If you create conditions for a lemon that are close to those in which it grows in its natural environment, the tree can grow up to 1.5 m in height, and from 8 to 150 fruits ripen on it in one season. It is not easy to achieve such success, but the most patient and attentive succeed. nine0003

A healthy lemon tree has a dense and always green crown. During flowering, it throws out beautiful inflorescences that look very impressive among lush greenery. Only in the Ponderosa lemon variety, the crown is a sprawling bush of thin branches. With apparent weakness, they can bring up to 50 lemons. This type of citrus is compact, great for window growing.

General rules for the cultivation of indoor lemons

Warmth is very important for a lemon, with its deficiency, a heat-loving tree develops poorly, gets sick and can simply die. When planning to grow a tree, you need to choose a south or east window for this. The plant also needs a lot of light. At the same time, on a hot day, it is better to protect the tree from the direct rays of the sun, moving it to the shade. If the weather is constantly cloudy, then the lemon should organize additional lighting by installing a lamp nearby. nine0003

In summer, it is better to place a tree on a balcony or on a loggia, where the lemon can get more oxygen and sun. When autumn approaches, it returns to its old place. In the winter months, the air temperature in the room where the container with the tree is located should not fall below +10 ° C.

Much attention should be paid to the choice of capacity and the quality of the soil. Lemons are grown in loose soils with a neutral pH value. We advise you to purchase special soil for planting a citrus tree. If you plant a lemon in a mixture of your own making, it should contain humus, soddy soil and sand in the proportion recommended by experts. nine0003


Soil for indoor plants BIOLAN 5l

Planting a lemon

If you are planting a small plant - a seedling or an acquired rooted cutting, then you can choose a compact clay pot for this. For a large tree, it is recommended to buy a wooden tub - the best option for citrus fruits. Natural material does not interfere with the supply of oxygen to the root system. Before planting, a rooted cutting or tree must be carefully examined in order to identify damage. Further landing is carried out as follows: nine0003

A lemon planted in a container is placed on the window, since a young tree needs an abundance of light and warmth. But you can not allow the sun to burn the leaves, the risk of getting which on hot summer days is very high. Keep in mind that the lemon does not respond well to movement. Periodically, you can only turn the tree with the other side of the crown to the sun, so that it evenly receives the heat and energy of the sun.

Grow a lemon from a seed

This takes much more time. The minimum period for seed germination is 2 weeks, but sometimes a whole month passes before germination. nine0003

A lemon seed is placed in greenhouse conditions. A pot with a stone in the ground is covered with a dome cut from a plastic bottle, or the top is covered with plastic wrap. In an enclosed space, high humidity is automatically maintained, and transparent plastic or polyethylene does not prevent the passage of sunlight to the ground around the seeds. In an impromptu greenhouse, one should not get carried away with watering, which can become excessive. The soil, even without it, will give moisture to the space covered by the greenhouse, so periodic spraying will be enough. nine0003

When a small sprout breaks through the soil of the pot, it will need to be gradually weaned from the greenhouse regime by removing the film or plastic cap every day for 1-2 hours. Transplanting a seedling into a large pot can only be done when it acquires four full-fledged leaves. Seedlings can also be transplanted using greenhouse mode.

It is impossible to categorically feed a seedling or cutting at the very beginning of their development. The fact is that until the lemon has formed a strong root system, external feeding of any kind will be perceived by a small nascent tree as poison. The first top dressing is best done after three or more months from the moment of planting. The best season for top dressing is spring or summer. nine0003


Fertilizer for indoor plants 285 ml

Watering indoor lemon

The importance of proper watering when growing lemons at home can not be overestimated. After all, it is often the wrong watering, insufficient or excessive, that leads to the death of the plant. Proper watering should be very moderate. It is enough to water the tree daily or every other day with water at room temperature, previously well-settled, while monitoring the condition of the soil in the container. In winter, watering is reduced to 2 times a week. The container with the tree should be on a pallet, and the water accumulated on it after each watering should be removed immediately. If this is not done, there is a high risk of rotting of the lemon roots from an excess of moisture. In addition, the tree needs daily spraying of leaves, especially in winter, because during this period the air in our homes is almost always dry due to the intensive operation of heating systems. nine0003

Be attentive to the condition of the plant. If its leaves turn yellow, most likely, this indicates insufficient watering. In this case, it is necessary to normalize watering, and spray the lemon with a solution of potassium permanganate of low concentration.

It is necessary to provide a citrus tree with bath procedures that include a monthly warm shower. It will help remove dust from lemon leaves, which impairs the photosynthesis process that is vital for the tree. nine0003

Lemon dressing

Citrus fruits are very susceptible to fertilization. Top dressings made under the tree must be constantly changed. If you apply the same fertilizer for a long time, this can lead to oxidation or alkalization of the soil. In both cases, the lemon grows more slowly, often gets sick, the fruits do not ripen, the plant dies. To prevent this, you need:

If complex fertilizers of mineral origin are great for lemon, then organic sub-corks should be used with caution. An aqueous solution of manure in the proportion of 1 part of fertilizer to 6 parts of water or an extract from wood ash is most effective. It is useful to use special infusions of birch leaves and quinoa.

Often people who decide to grow a lemon at home find that the plant refuses to bloom. This indicates the mistakes made when feeding the tree. Illiterate feeding does not give the plant the strength to bloom, set fruits and ripen them. Try changing the fertilizer, alternating preparations, observing the recommended concentration, this will help solve the problem.


Fertilizer for citrus fruits FERTIKA Kristalon 250ml

How to trim

The pruning scheme is most often determined by the purpose of growing the tree. Compact ornamental trees do not need long spreading branches; they are shortened as much as possible, giving the crown a neat shape. For citrus fruits grown for the lemon crop, the rule of balance of branches and shoots is practiced. The most common way of such pruning is pinching.

Pinching is carried out when the plant reaches one year of age. The first step is to trim the main shoot, leaving only 30 cm of length from it. This stimulates the growth of lateral buds. nine0003

Only after strengthening the tree and the beginning of its branching, new branches are pinched, leaving 3-4 leaves on each. Such pruning forms a powerful and strong tree that is capable of producing a rich harvest of full-fledged lemons.

It is necessary to cut and remove old dried branches in a timely manner. Lemon spends a lot of energy on their regeneration, but it will not be possible to restore them. It will be right to rid the plant of a useless load. Branches growing inside the crown are also cut off: they greatly interfere with other branches to develop normally, do not allow them to receive enough sunlight. nine0003


Harvest

Lemon, still weak and fragile, may bloom magnificently in the second year. But you can not leave these inflorescences. A young tree will not be able to bear fruit, will give all its strength to this and die. To grow a rich full-fledged crop without harming the plant, you should:

The real lemon crop is harvested 4–5 years after planting. Do not expect high fertility from an indoor tree. Lemon grows and develops slowly. Each mistake made in care delays the timing of flowering and fruiting. Before picking a yellow fragrant lemon from a branch, you will have to make a lot of efforts: to carry out feeding, pruning, and watering in time. nine0003

The first harvest rarely exceeds 5–8 fruits. As the tree reaches maturity, which occurs by 8–10 years, the number of ripening lemons increases. Indoor lemons live under good conditions for 40-45 years.


Soil for citrus plants Fasco 5l

Transplant nuances

If the citrus dies during transplantation, although watering and fertilizing are carried out according to the recommendations, the reason may lie in the wrong pot. If it is too large, it can lead to root rot. It is better to choose pots that match the size of the root system of the tree, and transplant it only if the tree has become crowded. It is better to increase the planting capacity gradually, controlling the development of the root system. nine0003

It is imperative to provide access to the roots of oxygen. To do this, place a container with lemon on a pallet with a gap to facilitate the penetration of air into the soil. Use stone or wood substrate.

After transplanting, the plant in a new, more spacious container is returned to its original place where it stood earlier. Lemon is a conservative plant, any change in environment can adversely affect the growth and development of the plant. Because of this, it can get sick, or even die. nine0003

If you decide to turn the tree on the other side to the sun, then you need to do this gradually, turning the crown by 10 degrees and waiting for time to adapt. Only then will your lemon grow strong, healthy and prolific.


How to grow a lemon from a stone and get fruits?

Your goal is to grow a homemade lemon so that it becomes an interesting element of the interior and even hope to enjoy the vitamin fruits from the lemon tree.

Where to start? If there is no desire or opportunity to purchase a citrus tree, then the easiest way is to grow a lemon from a seed. nine0037

Today we will discuss in detail how to grow a lemon at home, how to care for homemade citrus fruits and what needs to be done so that indoor lemons begin to bear fruit.

Contents

  1. Citrus cultivation
  2. Seed lemon: where to start?
  3. Care of lemon seedlings
  4. Indoor lemon - pests and diseases
  5. Lemon cuttings for quick fruiting

Growing citrus fruits

Lemon is native to subtropical forests where it grows wild. For many centuries, people have tried to spread it in the lands of Europe. The twentieth century was marked by the experiments of geneticists. Scientists have done a good job of breeding varieties that bear fruit well in northern latitudes and in room conditions.

Today you won't surprise anyone with homemade lemon. Thanks to the efforts of professional breeders and amateur flower growers, indoor lemon has appeared in many home greenhouses and simply on windowsills. Citrus indoor plants always look amazing in the interior, but they delight us not only with their excellent appearance, but also with edible fruits. nine0037 The citrus tree is an evergreen, moisture-loving, shade-tolerant short-day plant. The room actively begins to grow in February-March, stops - in November. Lemon is propagated in the following ways:

Seed lemon: where to start?

Use only fresh seeds. They are selected from mature fruits that do not have signs of disease. Purely theoretically, this is true, but lemons come to us from supermarkets and bazaars. nine0003

These fruits are definitely not freshly picked. How to be? Dried seeds that have lain for a month at room temperature significantly lose their germination capacity, but still germinate.

To completely grow a lemon at home, you need to stock up not just one or two seeds, but a lot more. Out of a dozen seeds, there will definitely be several sprouts.

Do not be afraid to grow many seedlings at once. It is not a fact that all your lemons from the stone at home will live to bear fruit. Some will die due to diseases, others will suffer when you vaccinate them. nine0003

We start growing homemade lemon from the stone as follows:

Growing citrus in this way is the easiest and most reliable option at home. Many flower growers have a decorative lemon at home, many waited for their fruiting. It should be noted that homemade tangerines are grown in a similar way.

Citrus plants grown from seeds are better adapted to indoor conditions, more hardy and more viable than cuttings or grafts. Fully fruit-bearing cultivated seedlings grow from the seeds. Their only drawback is that they begin to bear fruit late. nine0003

Caring for lemon seedlings

It is not difficult to germinate a lemon from a stone, it will be more problematic to care for it further. When seedlings appear, the film is gradually removed, accustoming them to the conditions of the room.

Regular care of homemade lemon means that it:

To prevent a lemon from turning into a wild dense tree, the crown must be constantly shaped. The central shoot is cut off at a distance of 20 cm from the ground. Branches of the second order appear, which, when they reach 18 cm, are pinched. The process is carried out until shoots of the fourth order appear. Flower buds are laid on them, and fruiting begins.

Indoor lemon - pests and diseases

Lemons grown at home are most often affected by scale insects, spider mites, aphids, mealybugs. All these pests feed on the sap of the plant, causing the leaves to dry out and the shoots to bend. nine0003

To prevent pests from destroying the lemon tree, the following general control measures should be carried out:

  1. Remove pests from the stem with a soft toothbrush, from the leaves with cotton swabs, previously moistened with a soapy solution of anabazine sulfate.
  2. Rinse the solution from the plant every other day. Repeat treatment after a week.
  3. In case of a large number of pests, treat the tree with infusion of celandine, tobacco, onion peel or Actellik, Ditox, Fitoverm preparations. It is necessary to use preparations for the destruction of pests very carefully, as these are the strongest pesticides. nine0014

The most common diseases of indoor citrus fruits are black fungus, gommosis. Why are they dangerous for homemade lemon? The soot fungus covers the leaves with a dark gray bloom, disrupting the normal nutrition of plants. Gommosis forms a gum that flows from damage to the bark, causing the leaves and branches to dry out.

Indoor lemon diseases are removed:

For a novice gardener, advice on how to deal with homemade lemon diseases will seem incomprehensible, but there is nothing complicated here. In all specialized stores you will find the proposed preparations, and there are detailed instructions on the packages. If you have specific questions on how to grow a lemon from a stone, how to care for it, feel free to ask them on the flower growers forums. You will definitely be helped! nine0003

Lemon cuttings for fast fruiting

Why cuttings? Lemons grown in this way begin to bear fruit faster. The only negative is that the future tree should get used to the changed living conditions.

If you already have some experience in floriculture, then it will not be difficult to grow a fruiting lemon from cuttings: