How to grow and care for lemon tree.

Lemon trees are native to Asia and grow best in tropical and subtropical regions. If you live in USDA zones 9 to 11 you can grow lemon trees there. Lemon trees can grow up to 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide. They are toxic to animals. These trees are drought tolerant but are not tolerant to frost. If the weather in your region has extreme winters you can grow them in containers. The best time to plant them is during the spring season and summer seasons. Here is how to grow lemon tree at home.

Photo by Abigail Chiazzaro on Unsplash

Growing conditions for lemon trees

Soil

Lemon trees prefer well-draining, fertile soil that is slightly acidic. The soil pH should be between 5.5 to 6.5.

Water

When planted in the soil, they need to be watered regularly until they get established. During the summer season water them regularly to keep the soil moist.

Light

Lemon trees grow best when they get 6 to 8 hours of sunlight every day.

Fertilizing

If you are growing lemon trees in containers they have to be fertilised once in 2 months. If you are planting them in the ground you can fertilise them 3 times a year. You can fertilise your lemon tree with compost or organic liquid fertilisers.

Pruning

If you are living in a location that gets extreme winters then the best time to prune is during the late spring season. If you are living in regions that do not have winters you can prune them during November and December.

Temperature 

Lemon grows best in hot and humid conditions. The optimum temperature for a lemon tree to grow is between 21 to 32°C(70 to 90°F). The humidity levels should be 50%.

How to grow lemon tree at home

Since lemon is difficult to grow from seed, it’s best to buy a healthy sapling from a nursery. Amend the soil with aged manure or compost before planting the sapling. If you are growing lemon saplings in containers, take a container that is at least 20 inches deep and wide. Fill it with a potting mix of 60 % compost, 10 % perlite, 10 % vermiculite and 10 % sand. You can then plant the sapling. Dwarf varieties are best for containers. Washington Navel orange and Meyer lemon are some of the dwarf varieties.

How to propagate lemon from cuttings

Lemon trees are easy to grow from cuttings. First, take a cutting that is at least 6 inches long and does not have any flowers or fruits. Next, remove the bottom leaves keeping the top set of leaves. Dip it in a rooting hormone powder and plant it in a big container. Keep the container in a bright location and moisten the soil by misting it. After 2 months roots will form you can then place the container in a location that gets 6 to 8 hours of sunlight.

Pests and diseases

Some of the pests and diseases that affect your lemon plants include aphids, mites, scales and citrus leaf miners. Using beneficial insects, and applying neem oil and diatomaceous earth are some ways to control these pests.