Taking care of a lemon tree in a pot is relatively easy, but it does require that some basic rules are followed. Firstly, you must ensure the lemon tree consistently has access to sunlight. When selecting a pot for your lemon tree, make sure it is big enough to allow the tree roots to breathe and spread in a healthy way. It is important to pick a container with drainage holes at the base, and ensure it drains well. Secondly, you should use a potting mix that is formulated especially for citrus trees. Giving your lemon tree regular fertilization is also important. During the growing season, which normally runs from late spring to late summer, apply citrus fertilizer once a month. Thirdly, lemon trees are fairly drought-tolerant, but regular watering is still important. Make sure the soil stays consistently moist, but never soggy. The water needs of the tree will vary against the weather conditions and the size of the pot. Trees in large containers should be watered every two or three days, while smaller pots may need to be watered daily. Fourthly, pruning your lemon tree is essential to maintain its health. During the early winter or late summer, prune away any suckers that appear from the main trunk. Also, take away any dead or diseased branches, while light shaping of the tree is advisable during spring.
Lemon Tree Care Tips
For optimal health of a lemon tree, there are several tips to take into consideration. Firstly, it is important to place the pot in an indoor position where it will receive the adequate amount of sunlight each day. Also, make sure the lemon tree receives a minimum 8 hours of light every day. Secondly, it is important to make sure the potting soil you provide is light, well-draining, and organic. Add additional organic matter, such as compost, to provide extra nutrients and oxygen. Thirdly, check the pH level of the soil. A slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is ideal for lemon trees. If the soil is not acidic enough, mix in compost or add small amount of sulfur to reduce the pH. Fourthly, over-watering lemon trees can lead to root rot. Therefore, it is important to check the soil’s moisture levels before watering by either touching the soil or using a moisture meter. Fifthly, pests can affect the health of the lemon tree so regular checking is necessary. If pests such as scale, mealybugs, and mites are found, wipe them away with cotton swabs dipped in soapy water.
Advices on Fertilizing Lemon Trees
Fertilizing is an important step when taking care of a lemon tree. Firstly, in early spring, apply one handful of fertilizer suitable for citrus plants. During the growing season and fruit-setting stage, apply additional fertilizer every 8 weeks, or consult professional advice. Secondly, it is important to use an organic citrus plant fertilizer. Nitrogen- and potassium-heavy fertilizers are best for lemon trees and you should avoid those with too much phosphorus. Thirdly, when applying fertilizer, water the soil before so that the fertilizer doesn’t burn the roots. Dilute the recommended amount of fertilizer with enough water until it is the consistency of heavy cream. Fourthly, use a rotary spreader if applying granular fertilizer to the ground around the pot. Spray liquid fertilizer all over the top of the soil, ensuring each area gets the recommended dosage. Fifthly, never fertilize a dry lemon tree, as this will cause stress and damage the roots.
Pruning your Lemon Trees
Pruning is also essential for lemon tree care. Firstly, pruning your lemon tree helps maintain its shape and size, as well as remove dead limbs, crossed branches, and other unwanted ones. Secondly, it is important to sharpen your pruning tools with a file before using them. Thirdly, remove thin and weak branches, as close to the trunk as possible so that you don’t leave stubs behind. Fourthly, when pruning, make sure you cut off small amounts of the branches at a time and keep the cuts clean. Fifthly, always reduce a large branch size in a single step. This helps avoid damage to the remaining stem and removes less of the tree’s resources. Lastly, it is important to remove dead wood as soon as you notice it and always follow the tree’s natural shape.
Protecting Lemon Trees from Diseases
Disease protection is another important part of lemon tree care. Firstly, it is important to check for pests regularly, and as soon as you spot them, treat the trees with an organic insecticide. Secondly, watch for mysterious spots or brown patches in the leaves as these can be signs of disease. Thirdly, if disease is spotted, consult professional advice or use a spray or drench treatment if you are confident enough. Fourthly, lemon trees can be susceptible to fungal diseases, especially during moist weather. To prevent this, keep the area around the trees clean and free of weeds. Lastly, protect the trees from extreme temperatures by moving the container indoors.
Methods of Propagating Lemon trees
If you would like to propagate your lemon tree, there are a few methods to choose from. Firstly, the most common way is by using cuttings. To do this, choose a healthy, mature branch, and cut pieces of 10-15 cm. Make sure to make a clean cut and remove all leaves except for two at the top. Secondly, you can also propagate by air layering. To do this, choose a healthy branch and cut it in half. Remove the strip of bark on one side and wrap that with a damp peat moss mixture. Wrap this in plastic cling film and let it stay until the moss is soggy. Thirdly, you can also propagate from seeds, though it is not recommended if you are aiming for a specific variety of lemon. Fourthly, you can also propagate from grafting. Grafting is a complicated process, so if you decide to try this, you should seek professional advice. Lastly, propagation by budding is another complicated method, but if done correctly it works well for some citrus trees.
Tips for Transplanting Lemon Trees
If you need to transplant your lemon tree, it is important to follow a few steps to ensure the tree isn’t stressed during the process. Firstly, select a larger pot than the one the tree is currently in, as it will eventually outgrow even the biggest container. Make sure the pot has drainage holes. Secondly, add enough moist soil in the bottom so that when you place the tree in the pot, the soil line of the tree must remain the same. Thirdly, it is important to keep the soil moist during the planting and for the first few days after planting. Fourthly, fertilization should be avoided for a few weeks. Lastly, be sure not to over-water the tree after transplanting, and only water it when the soil is dry to the touch.
