Caring for a small lemon tree requires skill and dedication, but it can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience for the creative gardener. Proper care of a lemon tree includes soil care, irrigation, fertilization, pruning, pest and disease management. Here are seven steps to ensure your tree is healthy and productive.
Step 1: Selecting a Quality Tree
When selecting a lemon tree, ask your local nursery to inspect the tree’s roots, leaves and overall condition. Pay attention to the quality of any existing fruits, and make sure there are plenty of buds that will develop into new fruits. Moreover, you want to select a tree that is in well-draining soil, as lemon trees require plenty of water but can be damaged by overly wet soil.
Step 2: Planting Considerations
Before planting your small lemon tree, check the soil drainage with a soil drainage test to ensure the area drains well. Consider planting your lemon tree against a south-facing wall to get the most heat and light. Provide plenty of space for the tree to spread out its roots and above-ground limbs. You may even consider planting several small lemon trees in containers to ensure a maximum level of control over drainage, sunlight, soil texture and nutrition.
Step 3: Soil Care
Once planted, you should assess your soil regularly. Soil should be fertile, free of toxins and debris, and with a pH of 6.0 – 6.5. To correct the pH, small amounts of lime can be incorporated into the soil. Additionally, soil amendment with manure or compost can be done to improve soil fertility.
Step 4: Irrigation
Watering your lemon tree appropriately is critical for optimal growth and yields. Trees should be watered deeply, but not so much that the soil becomes soggy. Err on the side of caution when watering and inspect the soil before watering. A regular watering schedule of once or twice a week (or more in hot and dry weather) can be established once you have sampled your soil.
Step 5: Fertilization
Fertilization is another important factor for maintaining healthy lemon trees. A general-purpose fertilizer with a balanced ratio of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is recommended. Such fertilizers should not be applied too frequently, and it is important to avoid over-fertilizing. Reduce the frequency of fertilizer applications and increase the amount of water as the weather cools.
Step 6: Pruning
Improper pruning of your lemon tree can reduce yields and even kill the tree. Therefore, it is important to prune at the right time and in the right places. Prune to remove dead and diseased limbs, reduce crowding, open the tree canopy and redirect growth away from restricted areas. Pruning should occur annually or biannually, depending on how quickly your tree is growing.
Step 7: Pest and Disease Management
Finally, pest and disease management is key in keeping your lemon tree healthy. Monitor for pests such as citrus psyllids, aphids, mites and whitefly, as these can damage your tree. Likewise, watch for signs of diseases such as canker, root rot and citrus greening, and consult with your local nursery or extension office for the best disease management practices.
Exposure to Sunlight
It is important to provide adequate sunlight for your lemon tree. Lemon trees prefer eight to twelve hours of sunlight per day, with the majority of that sunlight in the form of direct sunlight. If the tree is planted near a building or tall trees, then pruning the blocking foliage will help provide the necessary amount of sunlight. On the other hand, if the tree is exposed to too much direct sunlight, covering it with a shade cloth can help protect it from intense heat.
Regular Inspections
Inspecting your lemon tree regularly and identifying any problems at an early stage is the key to successful pest and disease management. Inspect the bark of the tree for signs of damage, rotten spots or scars. Inspect the foliage for discoloration or wilting which could be indicative of a nutrient deficiency or insect infestation. Inspect the fruits for signs of deformity or color changes and quickly pick them up if they are ready – leaving them on the tree too long could open them up to disease.
Proper Nutrition
When it comes to nutrition, a well-balanced fertilization plan is the key to success. Adding organic material like compost or manure will improve the soil’s fertility and provide the tree with important macro- and micronutrients. Additionally, nitrogen-rich fertilizers should be added every six months to boost the growth of the tree. Monitor the symptoms of any nutrient deficiencies, especially magnesium and manganese, and use a foliar fertilizer or soil-applied fertilizer to correct deficiencies.
Harvesting and Storage of Lemons
Lemons are ready to be harvested when they are fully ripe. Generally this will be when the skin of the fruit has started to turn yellow. Carefully pick ripe lemons from the tree and store them in a cool, dark place. To ensure the lemons stay fresh, place them in a paper bag or wrap them in a moist paper towel and keep in the fridge. Lemons can keep for several weeks, however they can easily spoil if left outside in the sun or if not stored correctly.
