Starting a lemon tree can be an incredibly rewarding and rewarding experience. For starters, a lemon tree will provide you with an abundance of sweet and tart lemons, which can be harvested for many culinary uses. Fortunately, creating a lemon tree is an achievable endeavor for most gardeners. To help get you off to a strong start, here are some tips to follow for starting your very own lemon tree.
First, location is key when beginning your lemon tree. Lemons need plenty of sunlight and thrive in temperatures of between 60 degrees Fahrenheit and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Checking if your region or your garden provides the right environment should be the first step when starting your own lemon tree. Once you’ve established a suitable spot, it’s time to find the right sapling.
When considering a lemon sapling, make sure to find one with a healthy root system and that looks vigorous and alert. When planting your lemon sapling, consider adding an amendment to the soil like peat moss or compost. Lemon trees are not very drought resistant and prefer an environment that is kept well moistened. After adding the amendments, it’s time to plant the tree about three to four feet deep.
When planting your sapling, make sure to water it thoroughly and check that the soil around the roots is kept moist. Due to the fragile nature of lemon trees, you should note that organisms like mealybugs, aphids, and scale are attracted to them and can affect their growth and lifestyle. To avoid crippling the tree, keep an eye out for signs of pests and act accordingly.
In the case of a lemon tree, mulching is essential for proper growth. It helps to keep the roots moisten and protect them from extremely high temperatures. Moreover, mulching can be effective against weeds, which might compete with your tree for nutrients. Overall these basic tips should be kept in mind if you feel inspired to take up lemon tree gardening.
Fertilizing
Though lemon trees prefer well-drained soil, they also need to be fertilized to ensure they get enough nutrients they need to thrive. However, be sure not to overdo it – applying too much fertilizer can lead to nitrate accumulation and damage the tree. When fertilizing, use a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer blend to give your lemon tree the best chance for growth.
Fertilizing lemon trees should be done twice a year, once in the Spring and once in the Fall. Remember to check the label of whatever fertilizer you choose and follow the instructions carefully. Also, it’s important to remember to water the soil around your lemon tree before you apply the fertilizer.
Generally make sure your fertilizer has an appropriate nutrient ratio for your tree; the ratio should be higher in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium than the rest. Keep in mind that Prunus Variety fertilizers are especially effective since lemons belong to the same family as cherries and apricots.
While fertilizing, you should also take the opportunity to control any potential weeds you see, as they will compete with your lemon tree for nutrients. If you don’t have any fertilizer of the appropriate type, you can look around your garden for other items to add to the soil such as homemade compost or leaf mulch.
Watering
After planting your lemon tree, you’ll need to make sure it has an adequate amount of water. Lemon trees, like many other plants, need to have a regular source of water to prevent them from drying up and dying. During the Spring, try to water your tree every week, making sure that a deep heavy soaking is given each time.
During the hot summer months, your tree may require more frequent watering – up to twice a week. If you’ve added the appropriate soil amendments, however, your tree may not need to be watered as often. When in doubt, stick your finger in the soil and check – it should be lightly moist and not dry. Also, make sure to water your tree in the morning as this will give it time to absorb the moisture during the day.
When it comes to citrus trees, overwatering can lead to root rot, so be sure to keep an eye on how much you water your tree and make sure that the roots can still breathe. If you’re growing your lemon tree in a pot and find that it’s dried out completely, try soaking it in a bucket of lukewarm water for a few hours to get it started again.
Once your sapling is fully established, and it’s time to begin harvesting your lemons, you won’t have to water them as often. In fact, you will only need to water them every two or three weeks. This is especially true during the Winter, when rain and snow will often be enough to keep your tree adequately hydrated.
Pruning
Prune your lemon tree to keep it healthy and encourage growth. Pruning your tree too early might stunt its growth and prevent it from bearing fruit, but pruning at the right time can keep it in shape and promote fruiting. Overgrown or unhealthy limbs should be pruned off, which will allow the rest of the lemon tree to absorb the resources more efficiently.
When it comes to pruning, focus mainly on older branches. Younger branches should be left, as pruning them off can damage a tree’s overall structure and even cause mortality in some cases. To correctly prune an older branch, make sure to cut it evenly, so that a bud is exposed. This will allow for new growth to sprout from the bud in place of the cut branch.
Unless you are an expert, you should only prune your tree to remove dead branches or those that are blocking other branches from growing. In addition, never remove more than one third of the tree’s foliage in a single session. Lastly, you should make sure to disinfect the blades of your pruning shears after each use to prevent the spread of any potential diseases.
Protection
Finally, it’s important to keep your lemon tree protected from any potential damage that might occur. Though lemons are hearty, they can still succumb to severe weather or pests. Make sure to protect your tree from high winds, heavy rains, and other adverse conditions. Also, if you find that there are any dangerous pests that could threaten your lemon tree, make sure to swiftly rid them from the area.
One way to do this is by using insecticidal soap or natural sprays. You can also use traps or baits that are specially designed to attract and kill the pests. In addition, a good prevention measure is to keep maintenance of your lemon tree to a minimum, as this will help to avoid attracting the pests. Bear in mind, however, that no matter the measures taken, pests can still find their way into your garden and harm your lemon tree.
Harvesting
Harvesting lemons is easy, however, you should always keep an eye on when they are ready to pick. Usually, lemons can be harvested when they’re large enough, yellow and when their skin is tender. However, some lemons, such as the Meyer and Lisbon varieties, need to be left on the tree until they become wrinkled before they can be picked.
Once they are ready and ripe, the best way to pick them is by carefully grasping the stem and twisting it off from the branch. If you have difficulty reaching some lemons, you can use a pair of pruners to cut the stem. Be sure not to pull on the fruit as this might cause damage to the tree in the long run.
Also, make sure to pick the fruit off from the tree before they start to rot. Rotten or damaged fruits can attract unwanted pests that could further harm your tree. Finally, once harvested, lemons should be stored in a container in a cool dry place for up to two weeks. Storing them in the refrigerator is also possible, as long as they are in an airtight container.
Propagation
Propagating lemon trees is easy and can be done through seeds or cuttings. Starting a lemon tree from seed is the most common method and requires the least effort. Simply take a fresh, ripe lemon and take out the seeds. Then, allow those seeds to dry out and then plant them in moist soil.
Once planted, water the soil with a weak solution of fertilizer to ensure the young saplings thrive. Make sure to let the soil around your lemon tree seeds dry out between waterings, as this will promote strong root growth. The new saplings should start to sprout up within two to three weeks of sowing.
Cuttings can also be used to propagate a lemon tree. Again simply take a cutting off of a healthy lemon tree and prepare it by removing any leaves and trimming the end. Also, if you notice any flowers or fruit on the cutting, remove them as they will only make it difficult to establish the new tree. Next, plant the cutting in moist soil and give it plenty of water, making sure to let it dry out between waterings.
The cutting should start to produce new leaves within a few weeks, and eventually, a full-grown lemon tree. Once established, make sure to feed the lemon tree with a nutrient-rich fertilizer and give it plenty of sunlight and water. With these tips in mind, you can be confident that your new lemon tree will thrive.
