How To Grow Lemon Trees In Containers

How To Grow Lemon Trees In Containers CROPS New Techniques Don’t let your growing zone limit your choices You can enjoy fresh citrus from home by growing a lemon tree in a portable container Technically any citrus tree can grow in a container However it’s hard to keep full-sized orange or grapefruit trees alive The compactness of lemon trees makes them an easier choice especially when the goal is fruit production Still you’ll do best with dwarf varieties Consider “Improved Meyer ” “Eureka’” or “Ponderosa ” For less common fruits consider kumquats or kefir limes valued for their aromatic leaves The first step is finding a suitable pot Start with a pot on the smaller side to better maintain the soil moisture level A new tree can handle an 8-in dia pot while one that’s 3 years old should have at least 12 in For long-term growth stick with a pot that’s at least 16 to 20 gal Any standard pot with drainage holes should work Plastic is the most lightweight option making it well-suited for moving the plant frequently Terracotta is also popular but remember that the porous material can draw out water This is especially problematic if the tree is older A glazed pot creates a more solid barrier between the water and the world slowing the evaporation rate and reducing watering frequency Citrus does best with deep but infrequent watering Put your finger in the soil; if it’s dry 6 in down you’re due for another watering Waiting until the leaves are wilting puts the tree under unnecessary stress Once or twice weekly is usually enough though the frequency can increase in the summer Consider your potting mix carefully One recommendation is to use a 1:1:1 ratio of horticultural grit loam and leaf mold This allows for complete water permeation without soggy soil that leads to root rot Commercial potting mixes with peat moss perlite or vermiculite also work and supplementing with compost will improve the nutrient profile You’ll want to ensure the tree gets plenty of sun so seek a south-facing or west-facing location that’s sunny but sheltered Heat is appreciated; laundry rooms tend to be ideal Bring the tree outdoors on sunny days but avoid too much rain exposure Your lemon tree belongs indoors once the temperature dips into the 30’s Even indoor trees require some maintenance in the spring Add citrus plant food to the base—focusing on extra nitrogen Prune any new shoots growing from below the graft union and trim branches that make the center too dense The goal is to maintain lots of airflow This aids flower production which eventually leads to fruit Consider trimming off half-grown stems and all but a few flowers to ensure the tree puts as much energy as possible into producing big beautiful lemons While pest problems tend to be minimal you can control aphids and mealybugs by hand-picking them or using an insecticidal soap Though you can’t necessarily expect a bumper crop of lemons off an indoor tree growing one in a container is a rewarding experience that will brighten your home and maybe give you a few fruits Lemon trees are available at many nurseries or home and garden centers

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.