Can you pot a lemon tree? Absolutely! Potted citrus trees can produce larger, juicier, and healthier fruits than their in-ground counterparts. All that is required is a deep pot, healthy soil, sunshine, water, and fertilizer. If you provide all these elements, you can coax any lemon tree into a bountiful harvest from any sunny balcony or window.
Preparing the Area
To pot a lemon tree, decide on the location and clear the area of debris. If the area receives light all day, that’s ideal. If not, choose a spot with the most possible hours of sunlight to ensure the tree receives at least six hours of light a day. Then, choose a pot size depending on the size of the tree, adding a few inches in circumference and depth for the roots. The pot should be of sturdier construction, with drainage holes at the bottom.
Add Potting Soil
Fill the pot with a light and well-draining potting soil designed for citrus trees. If you choose a soil without fertilizers, you may need to add slow-release fertilizer once every 3-4 months. Place the tree in the pot and fill it in with more soil until it is firmly in place. Water the tree after potting and water it twice a week for two months until the tree is securely established.
Protect from Frost
If you live in a frost-prone area, move the tree indoors during the winter. This will help it escape extreme temperatures and frost. As lemons love humidity, spray the tree and its leaves with a spray bottle every few days. You should also mist the potting soil every two weeks to ensure it is adequately moist. If the leaves start to yellow, reduce the amount of water given.
Provide Fertilizer
Citrus trees should be fertilized every three weeks in the growing season. Choose a specially-blended citrus fertilizer and feed it at the bottom of the pot, away from the main trunk. If the leaves start to yellow, reduce the number of fertilizers you give the tree. You can also add coffee grounds or compost to the potting soil to provide natural nutrients.
Encourage Pollination
When the lemon tree flowers, you can encourage pollination by gently shaking the blossoms or using a paintbrush to move pollen from one flower to the other. You should also make sure to regularly remove any dead wood from the tree and prune it when necessary. This will encourage a strong branch structure and make the tree produce healthy fruits.
Prepare for Harvest
Watch for the signs that the lemon tree is ready for harvest. Lemons are ripe when their color has turned from green to yellow and the fruit has softened a bit. When the lemon is ready, pick it off the tree and enjoy! With the right care, potting a lemon tree will bring a harvest of succulent and fragrant fruits.
Harvest
Once harvested, you should store lemons at room temperature in a cool and dry place. To maximize the shelf life of the fruit, wrap it in paper towels or store it in an airtight container. Always remember to take off any stems or leaves that were attached to the fruit before storage, as this can cause premature rotting.
Troubleshooting
If your lemon tree is not producing fruit, you may want to check its environmental conditions. Ensure that your tree has access to plenty of light and water, and hire a professional to check if the tree is getting enough nutrients. Finally, ensure that pollinating insects such as bees and butterflies can access the tree. If all else fails, you may need to repot the tree with a fresh potting soil.
Transplanting
If your tree continues to struggle, you may want to consider transplanting it. This involves moving the tree to a new pot and soil, mainly because the old soil has depleted nutrients. Try to transplant the lemon tree during spring or summer, as this is the best time for the tree to re-establish its roots. Fill the new pot with a light and well-draining potting soil and water it regularly for two months until it is firmly established.
Winter Care
If you live in a frost-prone area, you may need to move the tree indoors during the colder months and put it in a spot that gets plenty of sunlight. As citrus trees need a mild climate and bright sunlight, keep the tree in a temperature-controlled environment and make sure it does not get too cold. Use a humidifier to maintain the humidity level of the room, which helps the tree stay healthy. Otherwise, continue with regular watering and fertilizing to prepare the lemon tree for the next growing season.
