The lemon tree is one of the most cultivated fruit trees in the temperate and warm regions of the world. Although the fruit cannot be consumed directly, it is widely used to flavor various dishes. In addition, it is a plant that, with time and some pruning, can get to give good shade to the garden, making it a really interesting species.
Do you want to know what the lemon tree cares? Next you will know all the tricks so that your fruit tree produces a large amount of lemons.
Main features
The lemon tree , whose scientific name is Citrus x limon, is an evergreen tree that reaches a height of 5-6 meters. It is the citrus species most sensitive to cold, enduring very weak and occasional frosts of up to -3ºC. This is something to keep in mind, since if we live in an area the winter is cooler we will have to protect it with transparent greenhouse plastic or even inside the home in a room that is well lit.
It has a rounded cup that means that we do not have to do too much pruning to make it look attractive. Its trunk is thick and the bark is gray . Depending on the type of lemon tree that we have planted, the texture of the trunk usually varies. We must bear in mind that, in order to sow it and that it is in good condition, we must avoid soils with a high sodium index or shallow depth. This is because they reduce lemon tree productivity. If we are going to have a common lemon tree for a purely aesthetic purpose, it does not have to produce too many lemons. On the other hand, if our objective is the production of lemons, we must take this aspect into account.
One of the characteristics that helps that lemon trees will be more attractive in an ornamental way is its smell. It is quite peculiar and pleasant helping to provoke an intoxicating aroma. It has serrated type leaves that end in a point. The color of the leaves is green in matte and they usually measure approximately between 5 and 10 centimeters in length, depending on the species. We can also see that they have thick and sharp spines on the branches. The fruit, or lemon, is ovoid in shape and is about 10 centimeters long when it reaches maturity. It usually has a nipple on the tip. The longevity of the lemon tree is about 50-60 years, which is why they accompany us almost all our lives.
Lemon varieties
We have already mentioned several times that depending on the species of lemon tree we will have some lemon care or others. Let’s see what are the main species that are grown:
- Eureka : it is the most common type of lemon tree cultivated. It usually grows throughout the year and abundantly.
- Lisbon: It is a tree that has more thorns on the branches during its youth. It usually has some fruits that provide a greater amount of juice but have greater acidity.
- Ponderosa: it is a kind of lemon tree that is quite resistant to frost. The fruits vary from the rest in that they are longer and with a thinner skin.
- Meyer: stands out for having a fruit that is a hybrid species between lemon and orange. Although it has yellow color and in some orange tones. As it needs so much care, it is not commercialized.
- Yozu: It is a kind of lemon tree that is cultivated in Japan and Korea. Its fruit has characteristics between grapefruits and Chinese oranges. They are also cold tolerant.
Lemon tree care
Once we have our tree at home, we have to find it a place protected from the cold and directly exposed to the sun so that it can grow. In the event that we want to have it in a pot, we will transfer it to one that is 3-4cm wider; And if we want it – and if we can – have it on land, we will plant it in the garden at a distance of at least two meters from any other upper floor.
It is advisable to nourish the soil first a fertilizer and other supplements that help it provide the necessary nutrients for its correct growth. It can be done through seed germination and for this it is advisable to wait for winter. This is because during this time it rests from flowering. It must be planted in an area where it is protected from the wind, not only from the cold.
If we talk about irrigation , it must be frequent, especially in summer since it does not resist drought. With this in mind, we will water it three to four times during the summer season, and every four days the rest of the year. The best irrigation is by sprinkling and you have to water it almost daily. They need a large amount of magnesium that can be incorporated by the subscriber.
From spring to the end of summer we must take advantage of it to fertilize it with organic fertilizers, such as guano or manure , casting a layer of two or three centimeters once a month.
Most of the lemon tree care must be given during its growth. Mainly the growth occurs in three seasons: in the spring the youngest leaves are born with a lighter appearance than the adults and flower buds on the new branches. In the summer time there are some smaller births than in the spring since the temperatures are higher. We also see growth in the fall where some leaves form as a measure to secure foliage.
Finally, we must prune it in late winter . For this we have to remove the dead, sick or weak branches, and trim those that are growing excessively. Also keep in mind that the top of the tree must be cleared in the center to allow light to enter the interior and nourish the roots. Pruning must be done in spring. None of them is recommended to be very extreme so as not to damage the tree.
With these tips, our lemon tree will give us more than one joy each year as long as we keep it away from the most common lemon tree pests .
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