How to grow a lemon tree

How to grow a lemon tree – Growing a lemon tree requires a combination of time, effort, and a good climate. It is best to plant a lemon tree in the spring or autumn before the frost because it is sensitive to cold temperature. If well taken care of, a lemon tree will bear fruit in 2-3 years.

Growing Lemon tree

A lemon tree is a thorny perennial evergreen plant. It can grow in tropical, subtropical, or Mediterranean climate. You can grow a lemon tree from a seed or a grafted plant and you may even plant it in a pot or container. This medium growing tree usually reaches 2-5 meters in height. Here are the steps on how to grow a lemon tree:

First decide if you would like to plant a lemon tree from seed or from a grafted plant. If you want to start from a seed, you may germinate your own from an organic lemon fruit. Non-organic lemon usually has seeds that are not able to germinate. If you choose to start from a plant, your lemon tree will have lesser time before it bears fruits. Compact varieties such as Meyer and dwarf lemons can also be grown in a pot and even indoors over winter (see the container and indoor guides below).

Soil

Lemon trees can tolerate a range of soils but works well in a well-drained slightly acidic soil. Its pH level should be between 5.7 and 6.5. You can also use a potting soil that contains a blend of peat, perlite, vermiculite and organic fertilizer. Lemon tree should be set higher than the ground, so dig a hole that is somewhat shallower than the length of the root ball.

Light

Full sun is required in growing a lemon tree to its optimal potential. At least 10 to 14 hours of sunlight a day is needed especially in its sprouting stages. Be sure to place your lemon tree in a place where it can enjoy full sun exposure without shade. Enough sunlight increases the chances of your tree bearing fruits.

Water

During its first years, your lemon tree will require an average amount of water to thrive. It is important to maintain even moisture in the soil. Once your plant is established and fully grown, just a small amount of watering will do. Lemon trees require deep watering once or twice a week but you may adjust depending on the time of the year and weather.

Pruning

You may prune your lemon tree anytime of the year by removing dead branches, cross branches or to maintain its size and shape. Watch out for pests like citrus leaf miner and aphids and make sure to remove them right away to prevent further damage to the tree.

Your lemon tree will bloom in spring or summer and will usually yield fruits all year. The fruits typically survive even when left on the tree, or you may pick them up beforehand and allow them to ripe inside your house. Lemon fruit size is 4-15cm, yellow in color and sour in taste.

See also: grafting fruit trees · grafting tools

See also: growing an orange from seed

Lemon varieties to grow

Meyer — a lemon-mandarin cross with sweeter, less acidic fruit; the most cold-tolerant and by far the best lemon for pots and indoor growing.
Eureka — the classic supermarket lemon; nearly thornless and crops almost year-round.
Lisbon — vigorous, productive and a little more cold-tolerant than Eureka; thornier.
Variegated pink (Eureka) — ornamental, with striped fruit and pink-tinged flesh.

Feeding your lemon tree

Citrus are hungry plants, and lemons especially so as they can flower and fruit almost continuously. Feed regularly through the growing season with a dedicated citrus fertiliser, which supplies the nitrogen and trace elements (iron, magnesium, manganese) citrus need. Pale, yellowing leaves are very often a sign of hunger or of the wrong soil pH locking nutrients out — as much as of overwatering.

Growing lemons in pots and indoors

Lemons are among the best citrus for containers, which also lets cold-climate growers move them under cover for winter. Use a free-draining, slightly acidic citrus mix in a pot with good drainage, give the plant the sunniest spot available, and never let it sit waterlogged. Meyer and dwarf lemons in particular do well on a bright windowsill or in a conservatory over winter. For the full method see growing a lemon tree in pots and indoor lemon tree care; to grow one from a pip, see planting lemon seeds.

Common problems

Leaf curl is usually citrus leaf miner (silvery squiggles in new leaves) or aphids, or simple water stress. Yellow leaves point to feeding, watering or cold problems — see why leaves turn yellow. Fruit or flower drop is common after a heavy set or in temperature extremes. Watch also for scale insects and sooty mould.

Harvesting lemons

Lemons are ready when they are full-sized and have coloured fully yellow; they hold well on the tree, so you can simply pick as needed rather than harvesting all at once. Flavour is best once fully coloured.