In choosing a lemon tree for your garden or orchard, it is important to consider the various varieties available. Lemon trees are generally divided into two categories: sweet lemons and sour lemons. Each type has its own characteristics, and each also has a particular best way of growing. The climate and soil conditions of your region is a defining factor when choosing a tree to plant.
The most popular sweet varieties are the Eureka and Lisbon lemons. The Eureka is the smaller of the two, with the fruit having few seeds and a round shape. It is easily identifiable by its thick yellowish-green rind. The Lisbon is bigger and has a more pointed shape. It has a thick rind, too, and more seeds. Sweet lemons are best suited to an area with a warm, dry climate and well-drained soil.
Sour lemon varieties include the popular Meyer lemon and the less widely known Femminello St. Teresa. The Meyer lemon is a cross between a lemon and a mandarin or sweet orange. Its fruit has a thick yellow-orange rind and smooth, juicy, yellow flesh. The sour Femminello St. Teresa has a thinner yellow rind, oblong shape and pleasing acidic flavor. It is well-suited for cool climates and clay or sandy soils.
When planting a lemon tree, it is important to select a variety that is disease-resistant for your region. This information can be found online or through a local nursery, or you can ask a knowledgeable gardening friend or professional for advice. Additionally, container-growing can be an option if you don’t have an outdoor space to plant in.
A lemon tree needs full sunlight, warmth, fertile soil and the right amount of water to be productive. Therefore, it is important to choose a planting spot that will meet these needs. Ensure that the surrounding soil drains well, as lemons loathe wet feet. Also consider the distance of the spot from buildings, as lemon trees prefer a lot of air circulation for good health.
Lemon trees are best planted during the winter months in northern or temperate climates. In much warmer areas, the best time to plant is in the cooler months. Finally, irrigate the tree using a couple of inches of water on a regular basis, although less in winter, to keep it healthy and productive.
Comparing Lemon Varieties
It helps to know the characteristics of different lemon varieties when deciding which one to plant. Knowing the size, shape, color and taste of each type of fruit can help determine what type is the best choice. The sweetness of a lemon depends on the ratio of the acid to sugar. The Meyer lemon, for example, is sweeter than most other lemon varieties.
The appearance of the lemon tree can also be a consideration. The Lisbon lemon, for instance, is a rather large tree with a somewhat weeping habit, while the Eureka lemon is a medium-sized tree with few thorns. Its leaves are elliptical in shape, glossy, and dark green. The Femminello St. Teresa, on the other hand, is a smaller tree with elliptical leaves, too, but their underside is grayish-white.
Lemons tend to have higher yields in warmer climates. That is why varieties such as the Eureka and Femminello St. Teresa are better suited to more temperate regions, whereas the Lisbon and Meyer types are well suited to warmer climates. The Eureka lemon, being a smaller tree, is better suited to smaller spaces, while the larger Lisbon type can provide a good canopy of shade.
From a nutritional viewpoint, all lemon varieties are rich in vitamin C. Lemons also contain other vitamins like phosphorus, B-complex and carotenoids. Phytonutrients found in lemons, such as phenolic compounds, terpenes, and flavonoids, have antioxidant activity and have been linked to health benefits.
When considering which lemon tree to plant, it is important to think about the climate and soil conditions in the region. Sour lemons do better in cooler climates, while sweet lemons do better in warm climates. The size, appearance, yield, and nutrition of the tree are also important factors to consider.
Pruning Your Lemon Tree
In order to keep your lemon tree healthy and bearing fruit for many years, it is essential to prune it regularly. For young lemon trees, pruning should be done to shape the canopy and also to open up the tree to allow plenty of sunlight in. Established trees should be pruned to thin the canopy, open up congested regions, and discourage the growth of overly tall branches.
Before pruning, you should inspect the lemon tree for signs of disease, damage, dead branches, or infestations. It is important to remove these quickly to prevent the spread of disease. Additionally, select four to six strong branches that lead away from the center of the tree and prune back their tips. This is done to allow air to circulate and sunlight to penetrate, which will help stimulate growth.
When removing entire branches, use a saw to make sure it is properly cut away. When cutting, be sure to leave a smooth cut surface. If the cut surface is split or ragged, it can reduce the flow of sap which, in turn, can cause disease. Finally, for optimum fruiting, wait until late winter or early spring before pruning your lemon tree.
Feeding Your Citrus Tree
Citrus fruits, including lemons, require certain nutrients to thrive. Your lemon tree’s soil should be rich in different nutrients, but especially phosphorus and nitrogen. An easy way to ensure a good nutrition profile is to find a blend of slow releasing fertiliser that provides the required balance of nutrients. Excess fertiliser should be avoided as it will cause a build-up of nitrogen which can stunt new growth.
In addition to soil nutrition, providing your lemon tree with a foliar spray will help keep it healthy. NPK foliar sprays provide a direct source of nutrients, and applying them in early spring and late autumn can help stimulate leaf growth. They can be especially beneficial if the tree suffers from nutrient deficiencies.
It is generally best to wait until the tree has been in the ground for six to eight weeks before introducing any form of fertilizer or foliar spray. Thereafter, you can use either a slow-release fertilizer or a liquid fertilizer once per month. Try to avoid over-watering your citrus tree and ensure it receives regular and deep watering.
Pest and Disease Control
No matter how diligent you are in taking proper care of your lemon tree, it may still be susceptible to various pests and diseases. The most common pests which affect citrus trees include aphids, mites and scale insects. These can be treated with horticultural oil, which is applied directly to the leaves and branches. There are also a variety of other chemical treatments which may be used, but it is important to consult a professional before applying them.
In terms of diseases, the most destructive to lemons are citrus canker and citrus greening, also known as huanglongbing. Both diseases can be prevented or at least managed, by using integrated pest management (IPM) which involves using several steps to control the infestations. This can include regular spraying of insecticides, as well as the use of beneficial insects to reduce the infestation.
By following a few simple steps, the chances of your lemon tree becoming diseased or infested with pests can be significantly reduced. Make sure that the soil is well-drained, select a disease-resistant variety, prune regularly, use a slow-release fertilizer and foliar feed, and finally spray with an insecticide or use IPM to prevent and manage pest and disease problems.
Harvesting and Storage
When it comes time to harvest your lemon tree’s fruit, there are a few things to consider. The best time to harvest lemons will depend on the variety and the season, but generally, most sweet varieties should be harvested when the color is still green and the fruits are firm. For sour varieties, wait until the fruit is yellow and fully mature. Be sure to use pruning shears to carefully cut the lemons from the tree rather than pulling them off, as this will damage the plant.
Once harvested, prepare to store the lemons quickly. The optimal way to preserve their freshness is to refrigerate them. If you wish to freeze them, do so by slicing them into thin segments, putting the pieces into an airtight freezer bag, and storing them at 0°F (-18°C). When ready to use, let the frozen segments thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
To maintain freshness after cutting, store the segments and juice in a container with a tight-fitting lid. If stored correctly, they can last up to a week, but be sure to use them or freeze them before their color begins to fade. Additionally, to keep your lemon tree productive for many years, regularly feed and water it and protect it from pests and diseases.
