The lemon tree illuminates the room with juicy and bright fruits, and also decorates the windowsill. We will tell you in detail how to care for a lemon grown in a pot. At home, everything is quite simple, you just need to provide the plant with proper lighting, watering and fertilizing. It is noteworthy that a lemon tree can live up to 100 years or even more, so it is passed on by inheritance
Preparing to grow lemon from a seed in a pot
Before you grow a strong and completely healthy lemon from a seed, carry out preparatory measures.
1. First, select planting material. For this purpose, remove the seeds from fresh fruits. Never use seed that you obtained a long time ago. It won't germinate.
2. As soon as you collect the seeds, rinse them in warm water. Do not wait or dry it, immediately immerse it in the substrate. This simple move will increase the number of seedlings by 60%.
3. Citrus growers share another effective method of enhancing the quality of the future tree and the rate of seed germination. They recommend using a sharp knife to free the seed from the hard shell. It prevents the sprout from breaking out.
4. Before caring for a lemon, it must be sprouted in a pot. But before planting at home, the collected material is kept for 3 hours in a special growth stimulator. The seed coats should not be allowed to dry out. The growth stimulator is used only when planting seeds with a shell.
Growing lemon from a seed in a pot at home
Lemon can be obtained from the seed by following the step-by-step instructions at home. Growing is not difficult if you take into account all the nuances.
1. So, first take care of shallow containers, make holes at the bottom (side) to allow excess moisture to escape. This way you will prevent stagnation of water and rotting of the planting material.
3. Now about the soil. It’s better to make it yourself from river sand, humus and garden soil. Crushed coal (charcoal) is added to the substrate to enrich it with nutrients and have a bactericidal effect.
4. If it is not possible to make soil, buy a ready-made substrate at the “Dachnik” or “Everything for Gardening” store. Choose soil designed for germinating citrus fruits.
5. Before caring for a lemon in a pot, you need to plant it and germinate it at home. The ideal period for sowing seeds is February. If you are in a hurry, the manipulations are carried out earlier.
6. So, first you need to moisten the soil until water begins to pour out of the drainage holes below. This means there is enough liquid. Now you need to make holes 2 cm deep, place the seeds in them and sprinkle.
7. If the container is rectangular in size, it is allowed to plant a couple of seeds in it at the same time. The plants will not interfere with each other, because when 3-4 leaves appear, they will need to be replanted.
8. Place film over the containers and make holes to prevent condensation from accumulating. Leave the seedlings at a temperature of 22-25 degrees. The temperature must not be allowed to drop, otherwise the sprouts will not hatch.
9. Now all that remains is to wait. As practice shows, you will see the first shoots after 1-4 weeks. Spray the soil with a spray bottle for the specified period. Do not water the soil unless there are obvious signs of drying out.
How to care for lemon seedlings from seed
We will tell you below how to care for an adult lemon in a pot. In the meantime, let’s study the features of caring for seeds planted in the soil. At home, all manipulations boil down to the following:
1. When you see green sprouts hatching above the soil, gradually accustom them to room temperature. Periodically remove the film from the surface of the container to allow the sprouts to “breathe”.
2. After 3-4 leaves appear, remove the polyethylene completely. The time has come to transplant small plants into their individual pots, in which they will grow stronger every day.
3. In the first year of a seedling’s life, all care comes down to pinching, watering, timely replanting and formation of the first crown.
4. In addition, in cold weather and cloudy weather, seedlings need to be illuminated with LED phytolamps or fluorescent lamps.
5. In the summer, fertilizing is carried out for 2 weeks (alternating minerals with a humus solution).
6. Young plants need to be replanted every year. The roots should not be disturbed, so move with extreme caution.
7. If the earthen ball around the root system has not formed properly, it is not at all necessary to replace all the soil. Citrus growers recommend getting by with changing the top layer.
8. To prevent the plant from weakening, do not allow it to bear fruit until it is 3 years old. Therefore, simply remove the first shoots directed deep into the crown. Rotate the seedling systematically to ensure even illumination.
How to care for a potted lemon tree
Now let’s look in detail at how to care for an adult lemon in a pot. Follow these simple instructions at home.
No. 1. Provide lighting
1. Don't forget that the plant in question loves light. Moreover, it should be bright enough.
2. However, protect the seedlings from direct sunlight. As soon as the tree gets stronger and grows, nothing will threaten it.
No. 2. Maintain the temperature
1. The lemon tree is classified as a subtropical plant. Therefore, it needs moderate heat.
2. In winter, provide the seedling with a temperature of +12 degrees. In the summer season - no higher than +22 degrees. Take the tree out onto the loggia or street. If necessary, build a canopy.
No. 3. Keep an eye on the humidity
1. In addition to watering, the tree requires systematic spraying with water.
2. For this purpose, boiled liquid at room temperature is used.
3. Attention: the seedling requires high air humidity (!), and not soil.
Watering a lemon tree in a pot
No. 1. Summer/spring/autumn watering
1. During the warm season, take care of frequent and abundant hydration. If the room is cool and there is high humidity, frequent watering is unnecessary.
No. 2. Winter watering
1. In winter, watering is carried out as the top layer of soil dries. Make sure that the soil does not dry out more than 1 cm deep.
2. To do this, mulch it, that is, sprinkle it with hay/sawdust/pieces of bark, etc. Then the plant will not dry out. Do not over-water to prevent the tree from rotting.
Soil and fertilizing of a lemon tree in a pot
It is important to learn how to care for a lemon tree in a pot and continue to grow it at home. Consider some features.
No. 1. Soil
1. A lemon tree needs fertile soil that will allow water and oxygen to pass through without problems.
2. To create such soil, it is enough to combine peat, rotted leaves, sand, humus and 2 parts of turf in equal proportions.
3. Maintain acidity at pH 5.8-6.5. Place 2 cm of drainage on the bottom of the pot. It will not retain water.
No. 2. Top dressing
1. In order for the lemon tree to develop fully, systematically pamper it with fertilizers of mineral and organic origin.
2. With the onset of spring and until mid-autumn, apply fertilizer once every 20 days. At the same time, alternate mineral and organic fertilizing.
4. Adhere to the main requirement - fertilize in the warm season 2 hours after watering.
Pruning a lemon tree in a pot
The answer to the question of how to care for a lemon in a pot will be incomplete if you do not consider timely pruning of the tree at home.
1. Pruning is considered an integral part of care. Properly form the crown depending on the purpose of growing lemon.
2. If the plant is grown as a decoration, the crown should be kept compact. To obtain full-fledged citrus fruits, a completely different method is used.
3. A fruit-bearing tree must have several main branches consisting of fruit wood. Shape the crown by pinching.
4. Pinch the zero shoots, which are 25 cm long. Next, repeat the procedure at a height of 20 cm from the previous pinching. As a result, 4 developed buds remain in this segment.
5. Pinch the shoots located on the first row after 25-30 cm. As they ripen, cut them 5 cm shorter than the previous row. At the end, complete the formation of the crown on the shoots of the last order.
A lemon from a seed will bear fruit if all requirements are taken into account. At the same time, citrus fruits will begin to ripen on the tree even without grafting. Don't expect a good harvest earlier than 4 years. If you graft, the ripening period of the first lemons will be slightly reduced. Otherwise, follow the clear instructions for caring for wood.
An evergreen tree belonging to the genus Citrus, such as lemon(Citrus limon) is a member of the rue family (Rutacea). This tree came to Mediterranean countries at the beginning of the 9th century, where it began to be grown as a cultivated plant. And it was brought from Southeast Asia. In natural conditions, the original type of lemon can no longer be found.
Lemon is grown as both an ornamental and a fruit plant. Since it loves warmth very much, in areas with harsh winters it is grown as a pot plant indoors. With the onset of the warm season, it is recommended to move it outside, and in the fall to bring it indoors again. Many different varieties of this plant are grown indoors, and they all bloom and bear fruit.
In addition to being very beautiful, the lemon tree is also incredibly useful. Thus, the peel of the fruit itself contains a large amount of essential oils, and the pulp contains a large amount of various vitamins. The plant itself is also useful, as it has the ability to maintain a favorable microclimate in the apartment. The fact is that it releases volatile substances (phytoncides), which have the best effect on the emotional state of people living in the house, and also help strengthen their immune system.
In indoor conditions, this plant can reach a height of 150 centimeters. It has a branched, erect stem that becomes woody over time. Young branches are painted a rich green color, but with age they are covered with thin brownish bark. In order to form a beautiful crown, they resort to pruning shoots.
The fragrant green leaves of this plant, the surface of which is glossy and shiny, have an oval-pointed shape. There are varieties that have small spines in the leaf axils.
Lemon flowers can bloom in both warm and cold seasons. However, it blooms more abundantly in spring. Fruits, flowers, as well as unopened buds may be present on the tree at the same time. Small cream or snow-white flowers are collected in small brushes, but most often they are single. In order for the plant to bear fruit, the flowers must be pollinated. Fruit ripening is a rather lengthy process and takes approximately 6 months.
He loves light very much, but it is better if it is diffused. Thus, it is recommended to place the lemon near a window located in the southern part of the room. There it can easily grow all year round except on sunny, hot summer days. In general, in the warm season it is recommended to move such a tree outside. But if this cannot be done, then in the summer on hot days it is necessary to remove the plant deep into the room away from windows.
Citrus fruits are quite capricious when it comes to changes in lighting. So, if the tree is moved from place to place or turned to the window with different sides, this can cause the ovaries and flowers to fall off.
If in winter the lemon is in a cool room where the temperature is between 7–14 degrees, then it falls asleep (plant growth stops). In this case, it does not need additional lighting. But when the plant is warm in winter, it needs to be provided with 10–12 hours of daylight, and additional lighting can help you with this.
When growing lemon, you need to take into account that it does not like sudden temperature changes. For example, if in winter you open a window in the room where the plant is located, this may cause all the foliage to fall off. It is also not recommended to move it to a warm room just before frost. This should be done in advance, while it is still warm enough both day and night. In the case when it gets cold very quickly and there is a threat of freezing, the lemon must first be moved to a cool room (for example, on the veranda), and after several days it must be brought into the house itself.
In spring, when buds form and flowering begins, the tree should be placed in a cool place (from 14 to 18 degrees). If it is warm at this time, then both the ovaries and buds will fall off.
The tree can be moved outside only after the air has warmed up to 12 degrees and the temperature does not fall below this value. The plant needs to gradually get used to sunlight in the fresh air. So, first you should put it in the shade.
With the onset of autumn, lemon must be brought indoors after the air temperature drops to 11 or 12 degrees. A young plant can be taken indoors only at night, and in the daytime it should again be taken outside. It is quite problematic to move an adult plant in a large tub into the fresh air and then into the house every day, so it is brought indoors when it is still quite warm outside. It is recommended to start by placing the lemon on a warm veranda for 1–2 weeks.
In winter, the tree should be placed in a cool place (from 14 to 16 degrees). If in winter it is kept warm, then it should be moistened very often with a sprayer.
Humidity
Prefers high air humidity. If it is too low, the leaves begin to fall. To increase humidity, you need to regularly spray the lemon or place the pot on a tray filled with small pebbles or expanded clay and a small amount of water. You can also use a humidifier.
Young plants require annual replanting. It is carried out in spring before flowering. Transplantation is carried out carefully, by transshipment. In the event that it was not possible to replant the lemon in time in the spring, this can be done in the autumn. When the plant becomes an adult, replanting will need to be done no more than once every 3 or 4 years, but the top layer of soil must be replaced annually.
The transplant is carried out very carefully. Make sure that the earthen lump does not collapse. The plant is placed in a new pot and the required amount of soil mixture is added. And that’s all, because on the surface of the thin roots of this plant there is a layer of mycorrhiza (special fungi), and they contribute to better absorption of nutrients from the ground. In order for a lemon to grow and develop normally, you should not forget about this feature, and in no case should you shake off or wash its root system. This can only be done if the roots are rotting in order to save the tree.
When choosing a pot for transplanting, you need to take into account that it should be only a few centimeters larger than the previous one. This will help avoid stagnation of liquid in the soil and, as a result, the appearance of rot. You also need to know that lemons do not bloom in spacious pots.
If the plant is quite large, then choose a tub made of plastic or wood, which should have fairly large holes at the bottom. Do not forget about a good drainage layer, which should consist of expanded clay, because this will allow excess liquid to quickly leave the pot.
Earth mixture
For planting, loose, slightly acidic or neutral soil is used. To create a suitable soil mixture, you need to mix humus, turf and deciduous soil, as well as sand and peat in a ratio of 1:2:1:1:1. If you wish, you can buy a ready-made mixture for citrus fruits.
This plant branches heavily, and while it is young, it is recommended to systematically rotate it for uniform crown growth. If the plant has buds or ovaries, then you should not turn it, as this can cause them to fall off. You need to turn it little by little (about 30 degrees) once every few days.
Experts advise forming the crown in the form of a tree with a low trunk (about 20 centimeters before branching). The trunk should be cut with pruning shears, this will provoke the appearance of lateral buds. After a year, it will be necessary to shorten the side branches and, if necessary, the lower ones as well. The branches on which the ovaries form practically do not grow and often dry out, so when picking the fruit, they need to be cut into 2 or 3 leaves.
Pollination
In order for a lemon to bear fruit, the flowers must be pollinated by hand. For this you will need a small brush. You need to take pollen from some flowers and move them to others.
The ripening time of the fruit depends on which variety is grown. However, it is worth considering that this process is quite lengthy. At home, this can take from 7 to 9 months. Protect the plant from temperature fluctuations, and it is also prohibited to rotate it at this time. The leaves, which easily absorb carbon dioxide from the air, are also a kind of “warehouse” of nutrients. In order for just 1 fruit to set and develop normally, it is necessary that there are 12 to 15 healthy leaves on the lemon.
For propagation, cuttings from varietal lemons are used. Lemon can also be propagated by grafting onto seedlings of various citrus fruits.
Seeds for planting can be taken from ripe purchased lemon. The seedlings germinate quite well and grow actively, and also adapt well to new living conditions. But at the same time, they do not inherit the characteristics of the mother plant, which means that such trees will not bear fruit. It is recommended to graft a cutting from a fruiting lemon onto such a seedling.
It is easier to grow such a plant from cuttings, which you can take from friends or purchase online.
The length of the cutting should be from 8 to 12 centimeters. Each of them should have 3–5 buds. At the top, the cut is made half a centimeter above the bud, and at the bottom - directly below it. The cut should be made at an angle of 45 degrees. The leaf located at the bottom must be removed and the rest shortened by ½ part.
Before planting in coarse sand or sand mixed with soil in a 1:1 ratio, the cutting must be treated with a root growth stimulator (for example, heteroauxin). And also treat the lower cut with crushed charcoal. Planting is done to a depth of 10–15 millimeters at an angle of 90 degrees. Place in a warm place (at least 18 degrees) and systematically spray. Rooting will occur in a few weeks.
Video review
A homemade lemon tree is a godsend for many gardeners. Not every plant can simultaneously delight with decorative foliage, fragrant flowers, growing and already ripe fruits. The advantage of homemade lemons is their absolute naturalness. And although it is not always possible to get a harvest quickly, indoor citruses grow tastier and juicier than store-bought ones. If a gardener wants to harvest a decent harvest, he must take a responsible approach to growing homemade lemons: how to care for the plant, when to mold and fertilize - everyone who has purchased citrus should know this.
The citrus guest comes from subtropical regions, so it does not take root well in open ground in cold winters. However, growing it indoors can be successful. To do this, you need to initially organize proper care for your homemade lemon: maintain constant air and soil humidity, provide a sufficient amount of light and heat.
In flower shops or nurseries it is not difficult to purchase seeds or seedlings of varieties that are adapted to unfavorable conditions. In the wild, the plant can reach impressive sizes, and for growing in a room, samples no higher than 1.5-2 m are taken. During the winter, the foliage of the subtropical guest does not fall off, which is why it is called evergreen. Leaf blades last 2-3 years, so they must be protected. - a solid competitor for lemon, it also boasts elegant decoration.
In indoor conditions, flowering is possible twice a year: at the beginning of spring and at the end of autumn.
The best varieties of citrus trees for the home are dwarfs and semi-dwarfs:
Dwarf varieties are not very productive; they are grown mainly for decorative purposes. Taller trees can reward the grower with large fruits in large quantities.
How to care for indoor citrus?
Caring for a lemon tree involves constant monitoring of humidity, temperature and lighting. It needs the correct selection of soil composition and its looseness. You should not ignore the formation of the bush. The gardener must initially know how to prune a lemon so that it develops harmoniously and produces more fragrant fruit.
- Lighting and temperature conditions in summer and winter
South windows and other places with good lighting are suitable for growing. Lemon prefers bright light and long daylight hours. It is better to shade young specimens from the midday sun, as immature leaves will receive serious burns. When arranging with cypress and variegated ficuses, this rule is also taken into account, despite the fact that these plants are light-loving.
The temperature in the room where the lemon is kept should be moderately warm. Sudden changes are contraindicated, so during winter ventilation the pot must be removed from the windowsill without changing the location of the crown to the light. In summer, the plant can be sent to the garden or to an open balcony.
The crown develops better if it is not often turned on different sides towards the light.
Caring for lemons in winter is moderate. The room should be cooler - from 10 to 14°C. The ideal placement option is an insulated loggia. If the tree has not entered the dormant phase, then the temperature is maintained at about +18°C, and it is necessary to extend the daylight hours to 12 hours using a lamp.
- Watering lemon without mistakes
Depending on the air temperature, change the amount and frequency of water application. In hot weather, moisture is added daily. The water is taken warm, standing for at least 7-8 hours. From September to March, one watering per week will be sufficient. After each application of liquid, the soil must be loosened so that air can flow freely to the roots. The plant does not tolerate both drought and waterlogging. You need to focus on the volume of the pot and temperature conditions.
The smaller the pot and the looser the soil, the faster it dries out. In rooms with central heating it is necessary to water more and more often. Moisten so that the liquid penetrates through the drainage hole into the pan. Excess water is removed after 20 minutes. In this way, it will be possible to wet the entire earthen lump, and not just its upper part.
Lemon care involves spraying in hot weather. The foliage is sprayed 2-3 times a week. Spraying is carried out both in summer and in winter, when heating radiators are operating at full capacity. Placing a tray of water or a humidifier next to the tree will help increase air humidity. If you have the practice of caring for this plant, then you can use wild plants to obtain a bountiful harvest.
When caring for a lemon in a pot, it is important not to forget about fertilizing. During the growing season, feed every 10 days. Fertilizers are suitable both mineral for citrus fruits and organic, for example mullein solution. Before applying fertilizer, the soil is watered 2-3 hours. This will protect the root system from burns. In winter, fertilizers will also be useful, but the frequency of their application is once a month. If the tree looks healthy, it blooms and produces fruits, then you can refrain from applying fertilizers for a while.
Rules for transplanting and pruning
When transplanting citrus, a drainage layer of broken brick, expanded clay or coarse sand must be laid on the bottom of the box. Any container must have drainage holes to drain water. Liquid stagnation should not be allowed. The soil in the pot should be loose, without lumps. The reaction is neutral or slightly acidic. Lemon grows well in soil of average nutritional value: humus, sand and leaf soil are taken in equal proportions. The container for transplantation needs to be 3-4 cm larger in diameter than the previous one.
Pruning is necessary to approach the flowering period. The shoots are also shortened in order to create a neat crown. It is pinched, removing the apical bud. There should be at least 4-5 leaves left on the shoot. The lemon tree is pruned in the spring at the beginning of flowering.
Pruning homemade lemons plays an important role. If you ignore it, the tree will not produce enough fruit or will not bloom at all. If in one year the lemon has formed much more ovaries than usual, then the weakest branches with buds need to be removed. Too many fruits will deplete the plant.
As soon as the lemon peel turns yellow, the lemons need to be collected. If you are late with collection, they will become too sour and dense.
Video about pruning rules.
How to increase productivity?
The first harvest of indoor lemon depends on the method of propagation. If a tree is grown from a seed, then you should not wait for fruits before 5-7 years. Sometimes at least a decade passes before fruiting begins. With proper care, a bush obtained from a cutting begins to bear fruit within 2-3 years.
Secrets of a bountiful harvest:
Growing problems
What difficulties can you encounter when growing? There are several problems:
- Falling of leaves and buds occurs when there is a lack of moisture, drying out of the soil, or excessive dry air. Leaf loss can also be caused by waterlogging. It is recommended to replant the tree by removing the roots with a lump of earth and first drying them on a sheet of newspaper.
- The leaves become pale with a lack of lighting and a minimum amount of nutrients.
- Lack of flowering - a cramped or oversized pot is to blame.
- The tips of the leaf blades turn brown due to lack of moisture and dry air.
To prevent fungal diseases, the soil is watered with a weak solution of potassium permanganate every 2 years.
If no mistakes were made at all stages of cultivation, then a few years later the gardener can be content with delicious lemon slices for tea for a year. In addition to being a fragrant and tonic supplement, they will be useful during the cold season.
Lemon is one of the few fruit-bearing plants that can be grown at home without much difficulty. Unlike exotic and, which can also be grown at home, even a child can germinate the seed of an eaten lemon (which they often amuse themselves with). But growing a little lemon is not everything. To achieve full fruiting, you need to make an effort and have at least a minimum of knowledge on how to care for lemons at home. Subsequently, all these efforts will pay off handsomely. If we omit the undeniable decorative qualities of the evergreen lemon tree and the beauty of fragrant flowers, and focus only on fruiting, then lovers of “useful” indoor plants will be delighted. Indoor lemon produces large, full-fledged fruits, which are often superior in taste to store-bought ones. An adult lemon tree at home is capable of bearing fruit throughout the year, and the quantity of fruit is quite capable of allowing you to forget about buying lemons.
Growing lemon from seed
As I already mentioned, the easiest way to grow a lemon is from a seed. This is often done casually by sticking a seed into a pot of any other indoor plant. Usually such seeds germinate and grow for some time, but in most cases that’s all it ends with. If you want to grow a full-fledged lemon tree from a seed, then you need to allocate it an individual space with the most suitable soil for it. In principle, the usual mixture for indoor flowers is also suitable for germinating lemon seeds, but it is better to make it even easier by diluting it with pure peat. For germination, seeds taken from well-ripened fruits are best suited (unripe lemons are often found on sale). The pot should be small - 7-9 centimeters in diameter (as for). The bone is buried about a centimeter - one and a half. Next, put the pot in a bright, warm place. It is advisable, like, to create greenhouse conditions for the grain. To do this, just cover the pot with a regular glass jar. At this point, the process of planting lemon seeds can be considered complete. During the germination process, make sure that the soil does not dry out. A sprout should appear in a couple of weeks.
Caring for lemon seedlings is also simple. Keep the soil moist, do not let it dry out too much, spray it periodically. To maintain greenhouse conditions, leave it under the same jar, only periodically (once a day) remove it for a few minutes to ventilate and remove condensation from the walls of the jar. The young lemon is kept in this way until it grows to about 15 centimeters. After this, you can transfer it into a more spacious (10 cm in diameter) pot, add more nutritious soil (more about it below) and begin caring for an adult lemon.
There is a nuance. This simplicity has a significant drawback. For many years, a lemon grown from a seed will only be an ornamental plant; fruiting for a long time is out of the question. Only after 10 years can you count on flowering and the beginning of fruiting. There is a way to speed up this process, but it will speed it up by a maximum of 4 - 5 years. This method is not easy and I will definitely describe it separately.
Other ways to grow indoor lemons
A more effective method is to graft a cutting of a fruit-bearing lemon onto an adult non-fruit-bearing tree. The same lemon grown from the seed can be used as a rootstock. By the way. Any citrus tree (tangerine, orange, etc.) is suitable as a rootstock. Lemon is grafted, just like. This operation is quite complicated and beyond the capabilities of most novice flower growers, so if you decide to do it, think carefully about whether you can carry it out efficiently.
Despite the fact that fruiting of such a lemon will begin much earlier than when grown by other methods, it also has a number of significant disadvantages.
– Firstly, the method is complex and requires skills.
– Secondly, you need to have a well-developed (at least three years old) rootstock, and growing it also takes time...
Growing lemon from cuttings is the most effective, simple and reliable way to grow fruit-bearing indoor lemon. For it you only need cuttings taken from an adult fruit-bearing lemon tree. I have already described in detail how to grow a lemon from a cutting. You can read -. I can only add that although the flowering of such lemons can occur within a few months after rooting (as evidenced by the photo below), they will not begin to bear fruit immediately either. First, they need to develop well. But after three to four years you can safely count on the first harvest.
This lemon was grown from a cutting 4 months ago. A bud has already appeared on its top. How to care for indoor lemon
Caring for lemons at home is, first of all, a set of rules that must be strictly followed! These rules are simple, but ignoring at least one of them will lead to, if not fatal, then very unpleasant consequences.
Lighting
Lemon is considered a short-day plant. This means that he will calmly tolerate the lack of light. But it’s also impossible to call indoor lemon a shade-tolerant plant. In a well-lit room with many windows, it will grow successfully even in its far corner. But if there is not enough light, the lemon will immediately react to it with the appearance of chlorosis. The leaves will become faded, embossed, veiny. It may even go so far as to shed leaves. This is especially true in winter, when daylight hours become very short. In some cases, artificial additional illumination of the lemon may be required. But this is in a very dark room, and it also depends on the type of lemon tree. Lengthening daylight hours and bright lighting, on the one hand, promotes the growth of homemade lemons, but on the other hand, it slows down the onset of flowering and, accordingly, fruiting. As practice has shown, lemon can grow well on a western windowsill (as long as it fits there). Other window sills, including eastern ones, are not the best solution for its placement. The most suitable place for it is on a table or stand near the south or east window. And although a certain amount of direct sunlight will only benefit it, it must be protected from the scorching rays of the southern side.
Lemon develops cyclically. Regardless of the time of year, indoor lemon enters the stage of active development every 3-4 months. That is, if your lemon is frozen and does not grow new shoots and leaves, this does not mean anything. If there are no signs of deterioration in his health, then the time has not come yet. 
Temperature for lemon
Indoor lemon does not like heat. The most comfortable temperature for him lies within +17 – 20 degrees. Higher temperatures are possible and desirable only during the period of fruit ripening. For the formation of buds and ovaries, the temperature of indoor lemon should be moderate and even cool (+15 - 18 degrees). If it gets warmer, it is quite possible that the buds will drop. Preferably in winter. To do this, he needs to be kept very cool at +12 – 15 degrees. In practice, this content is applied only to young lemon trees or those that have not yet reached fruiting age. For fruit-bearing trees, this is the time of fruit ripening, which means they need a higher temperature.
An indoor lemon is essentially a lemon tree adapted to indoor conditions, therefore, in the summer it will be most comfortable outdoors. It should not be forgotten that this is a southern tree and sudden changes in temperature are undesirable for it. If a sharp cold snap is expected, it is better to bring it indoors.
Watering lemon and air humidity for it
Equally, excessive watering and drying out the soil are dangerous for indoor lemons. The frequency of watering directly depends on the air temperature, the size of the plant, the volume and density of the soil in which it grows. Of course, in the warm season, lemons need to be watered much more often. It is advisable to maintain constant moisture in the soil in the pot, but without unnecessary zeal, so as not to flood the plant. Until you have studied all the urgent needs of your lemon, wait until the top layer of soil dries out, then water. In winter, especially when kept in cool conditions, watering is reduced.
For indoor lemon it should be increased. Especially if you keep it in warm conditions in winter. During this period, heating devices greatly dry out the air, which will inevitably affect the plant. Spray it as often as possible. But if the conditions are cool, then spraying is excluded! In the summer, wherever the lemon is located, outdoors or indoors, be sure to spray it at least once a day.
Lemon feeding
There are many fertilizers available for citrus fruits. But, alas, not all of them correspond to the description and purpose. Over the years of growing lemons, I went through a great many of them until I found a really worthy one. I'm afraid that you will face the same search. After all, your city simply may not have such fertilizer. But if you’re lucky, it’s a fertilizer for citrus fruits, from the “Master – Agro” series. From March to September, feed your lemon with this (or a similar) fertilizer every week. If it bears fruit, then feeding can be continued after this period. There are also traditional ways to use lemon. In particular, infusion of ash (preferably birch), infusion of birch leaves or quinoa leaves.
Lemon transplant
Pay attention! Untimely and incorrect transplantation of a lemon can ruin all your efforts to grow it!
An indoor lemon tree cannot be replanted. Most of the so-called “recommendations” say that it needs to be replanted almost every year, and even in a pot 5–6 centimeters larger. This is WRONG! Lemon loves a cramped pot, and a container that is too spacious is the most common reason that a lemon does not bloom. Moreover, in a large pot, the risk of soil acidification and root rot increases many times over. But you still can’t do without transfers. As the root system grows, the capacity must also be increased. But only slightly, a couple of centimeters maximum. Even if you have to replant more often, your plant will develop normally. Determining the need for a transplant is easy. If the lemon roots begin to make their way through the drainage holes of the pot, then this is the most obvious sign. But this may not happen, and a transplant is required. Therefore, I advise you to carefully remove the lemon from the pot along with a lump of earth once a year (in spring) and inspect it. It usually comes out very easily. If the roots have entwined the entire lump, then replanting is required immediately; if only part of them breaks through the lump, then replanting is desirable, but not necessary; if the roots are not visible at all, then return the lemon to its place; there is no need to replant it this year. Replanting a lemon is also not difficult. As is, with a lump of soil, place it in a larger pot and fill the empty space with fresh soil. Prepare a new pot first. Create a good drainage layer, pour the required amount of fresh soil on it, so that when you place the tree on it, about 0.5 centimeters remain from the surface of the soil to the edge of the pot. Lemon really doesn’t like it when its root system is disturbed. That's why the transshipment method is used. Try to avoid replanting by clearing the roots from the ground and use it only when absolutely necessary. For example, if the soil has become sour and there is a danger of the lemon roots rotting.
Advice. If you are not replanting the lemon this year, then simply carefully remove the top layer of soil in the pot and replace it with fresh one. This procedure is safe and very useful. You can do it as often as you like and at any time.
For indoor lemon it should not be overly heavy. It should allow water and air to pass freely, while at the same time being sufficiently fertile. There are many citrus mixtures on the market, but not all of them are suitable for properly growing lemons. Sometimes they have to be lightened with peat or, on the contrary, made heavier and enriched with humus. When choosing soil for indoor lemon, be sure to check its composition.
If possible, it is better to make an earthen mixture yourself: two parts of leaf soil, one part of humus and sand. You can also add a quarter of wood ash or ash.
Advice. Even if you bought a ready-made mixture, add ash to it too.
Lemon trimming
Will definitely answer the question “How to trim a lemon?” This is possible only if you only have it as an ornamental plant and is not yet bearing fruit. At this time, it can (and should) be given the shape of a branched tree. In this it is not much different from, or. Young lemons, grown from cuttings or seeds, usually initially grow in one stem, “fishing rod”. When it reaches a length of 15 - 20 centimeters, pinch the top, this will stimulate the growth of side shoots. You can also cut off the top if the “fishing rod” is too long. The effect will be the same. But it’s better not to overuse pruning. If possible, use pinching only. This is especially true for fruit-bearing plants. For such a lemon, every leaf counts! In theory, each fruit needs an average of 25 leaves for full development, therefore, the more lemons on the tree, the more leaves are required. At the same time, removing old, dried branches will not only improve the appearance of your indoor lemon, but will also extend its life.
I wish you successful cultivation and a bountiful harvest!
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Lemon photoA subtropical climate is ideal for the capricious lemon, but we can often see it on the windowsills of cozy houses. There are many different varieties that bloom and bear fruit all year round, but not every owner manages to achieve this from their own “sunny guest”. How to care for lemons at home to achieve a good harvest? Let's try to figure this out.
What are the best varieties of lemons to choose for your home?
For growing at home, there are specially bred varieties that do not grow to large sizes, but at the same time are capable of producing an excellent harvest. When choosing your ideal tree, you can look at the varieties. There are many methods of propagation, so if you have chosen which variety you want to grow at home, do not rush to buy seedlings. You can grow a lemon from a seed or a prepared cutting, which is described in detail in the previous article.
Citro-fortunella Vulcan
A dwarf lemon with small, but very tender and tasty fruits that can stay on the branches for months. Flowers and fruits appear on a tree of this variety all year round, sometimes at the same time.
Lemon Pavlovsky
This is a fruit that requires minimal care at home, but it blooms almost all year round. The yield of an adult tree is up to 40 large and very tasty fruits per year.
Meyer
One of the easiest lemons to grow, which is popularly called the Chinese Dwarf. It tolerates extreme heat remarkably well and produces small fruits with juicy, slightly acidic pulp and a pleasant bitterness.
Novogruzinsky
Lemon, which grows up to 3 meters in height indoors. With proper care, the tree will give you 150-200 fruits 2-3 times a year. Tender and aromatic pulp is a distinctive feature of this variety.
Anniversary
High-yielding and completely unpretentious lemon. The tree adapts to low humidity and pleases gardeners with large and juicy fruits even when there is a lack of moisture in the soil.
Low-growing varieties of lemon trees do not produce a very rich harvest, but they will certainly create a special atmosphere in a house or apartment and decorate the interior.
Tall trees, on the contrary, produce larger and tastier fruits, but caring for them takes much more time and effort, because in addition to the usual activities, they need to be trimmed, shaped and tied up.
Optimal conditions for good growth of lemons
Lemon, like any other culture, is very important to comfort. If your home has windows facing southeast, it is excellent, because during the day there is always a lot of light on them, which benefits citrus fruits. But what should those who have only the south or north side do?
On northern windows, lemons will acutely feel the lack of sunlight, which means you will have to additionally use fluorescent lamps to ensure a normal daily cycle for them. This is especially true in winter.
There is always plenty of light on the southern sides of buildings, which is also not very good for lemons. This means that citrus should be shaded, saving it from burns, which can appear quite quickly under the influence of direct sunlight.
Do not be surprised that lemon is so demanding of lighting and thermal conditions - such whims are forgivable for a native inhabitant of the tropics.
Spring is a special period for indoor lemons. At this time, their buds are set, and in order to prevent them from drying out or slowing down this process, it is important to maintain the temperature within 14-16°. At any other time of the year, a temperature of 26° will be considered comfortable.
In the summer, it is better to move the tree to a glazed balcony - away from drafts, where at the same time there is the necessary amount of fresh air. This will benefit the tree, and will make caring for it much easier for you.
How to properly water indoor lemon?
Growing lemon trees requires moist soil in flowerpots. During hot periods, it is advisable to water it up to 3 times a week, while in winter even once will be enough. At the same time, it is necessary to maintain a good level of humidity (about 60%) by spraying the air, even if your lemon is located far from heating devices.
For watering, settled water at room temperature is ideal, which should be poured evenly over all the soil in the pot. Follow these simple rules, and the tree will certainly thank you for your care with beautiful green leaves and large fruits.
Indoor lemon care at home. Important points
Lemon trees are very demanding of the environment, and even the slightest temperature fluctuations or changes in normal humidity cause leaves and buds to fall off. If appropriate measures are not taken in time, all of the above can even lead to the death of the lemon.
Insufficient watering and drying out of the soil
If the citrus tree dries out, its foliage turns yellow-brown. But, even if you notice such signs, you should not irrigate the soil in the pot abundantly, as this leads to the death of the plant’s root system.
To help the lemon gain strength for further growth, try to pour a small amount of water under the root and generously spray the crown of the tree. It is also helpful to briefly wrap the barrel in damp gauze.
Excess moisture
If, on the contrary, you overdid it with watering, falling leaves will let you know about it. As soon as you notice this kind of leaf fall on your windowsill, you will need to immediately dry the roots and replant the citrus in fresh, barely moistened soil.
How to care for a lemon if it is frozen?
Saving frozen citrus is very difficult, because the sharp cold is the root cause of the cessation of its vital activity. When the plant freezes, the leaves also fall off, and sometimes the trunk even turns black.
For the so-called “reanimation” of the tree, try to move it to a warmer room as soon as possible, and use lighting to extend the daylight hours. It won't hurt to transplant it into another pot either. Do not forget to carefully inspect the rhizome and remove dead parts from it.
The next danger is overheating of the plant
If a brown spot appears on the leaves of a citrus tree, remember that it is likely due to high air temperatures. Experienced gardeners recommend moving plants away from windows and deeper into the room during the hot season. No additional measures in the form of cooling or watering are required.
A healthy plant is the best gift for a caring owner
In order for your citrus to look as excellent as the lemon whose photo is in front of you, you should not forget that you cannot change its environment and habitual habitat too often. Such stress will not benefit the indigenous inhabitants of the tropics. It is very important to pay due attention to disease prevention, timely replanting of plants and pruning damaged areas. To prevent depletion, during flowering it is worth removing excess buds, limiting yourself to a small number.
Each room has its own special microclimate, which, unfortunately, is not always suitable for citrus trees. Therefore, the main task of every gardener and owner is to provide his green friends with the necessary comfort and gradually adapt it to the existing environment.
Bottom line
The process of caring for lemon trees at home is often compared to caring for small children, who constantly require attention and increased responsibility.
Everything may seem complicated at first, but soon you will see how beautiful plants surrounded by care grow, more than rewarding the owner for all his efforts.