This lemon tree is easy to grow and produces some of the most delicious lemons you’ll ever taste.
Kevin is talking about growing an Improved Meyer Lemon in a container. He suggests using a cactus and succulent mix mixed with potting soil and fertilizer. He advises to plant it in the beginning of spring and to prune any branches that are non–fruiting, crossing the plant, or growing low on the trunk. He also advises to only have one or two fruits per cluster to increase quality and flavor. Lastly, he warns against yellowing leaves and wilting leaves, which are signs of under–watering or over–watering.
Do you love the taste of tart, juicy Meyer lemons? If your growing zone doesn’t permit for a full-sized tree in your yard, don’t be discouraged. You can still enjoy the sweet-tart flavor of organic Meyer lemons right at your fingertips with a containerized lemon tree. Not only are containerized citrus trees better suited to grow in colder climates, but they’re also easier to manage and harvest from when they’re closer to eye level. The great news is that it doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming either. If you’re ready to reap the benefits of this ultra-productive fruit tree in a fraction of the space, here’s how you can grow and care for your own Meyer lemon tree in a pot that will produce lemons each year.
How To Grow A Meyer Lemon Tree?
Growing a Meyer lemon tree is a rewarding experience and can be done in the comfort of your own home. To ensure success, it is important to take the right steps in planting and caring for your tree. The first step is to select an appropriate pot for your tree. A 2-3 year old Meyer lemon tree should be planted in a 5 gallon plastic pot that is 12-15” in height with good drainage. The potting mixture should consist of 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 potting soil, and 1/3 perlite. The soil should also have an acidic pH between 5.5 and 6.5, as well as being loamy or sandy in texture for optimal growth. Depending on whether the plant is mature or not, the size of the container should range from three gallons for non-mature plants to seven gallons or larger pots for mature plants.
Once you have selected an appropriate container and soil mixture, it’s time to water your lemon tree properly. Your Meyer lemon tree should never be allowed to dry out completely but rather allowed to dry out a little bit between waterings; this will help promote healthy root growth and prevent root rot or other problems associated with overwatering such as fungal diseases or nutrient deficiencies. Additionally, it’s important that your indoor lemon tree gets close to eight hours of sunlight each day; this will help ensure peak performance from blooms all the way through fruit production.
Lastly, when growing a Meyer lemon tree in containers they are more susceptible to sucker branches which are branches that grow from either the scion or root stock of the plant under stress trying to take over the entire plant itself; therefore it’s important that you regularly prune these branches off so they don’t overtake your beautiful citrus tree. With proper care and attention, you can enjoy homegrown lemons all year round.
How Long Does It Take For A Meyer Lemon Tree To Bear Fruit?
Meyer lemon trees take around 6 months to mature and bear fruit. Depending on the method in which they were grown, Meyer lemon trees can begin to bear fruit at different times. Grafted trees can bear fruit in as little as two years, while seed-grown Meyer lemon trees can take anywhere from three to seven years. When growing lemon trees, problems like blossom drop can be frustrating and many of the newly forming fruits will fall off well before they can begin to grow. This lack of fruit set may be due to an excess of fruits, too much water, low nutrients or exposure to cold.
Meyer lemon trees need at least six hours of sunlight per day and generally need water every one to two weeks. Today’s Meyer lemons are a hybrid released by the University of California in 1975 and before that were imported from China. While it became increasingly popular in the United States, it was highly susceptible to disease and actually banned because of its penchant for spreading a devastating virus to healthy fruit trees.
When a lemon tree produces fruit depends on how it was grown and its maturity age (3-5 years old). Planting an established tree will help get you closer to harvesting your first batch of lemons sooner than if you had planted a new tree from seed or sapling. A Meyer lemon will ripen fully after 6-9 months but different varieties produce fruit at different times throughout the year; some even produce year round. So while it may take up 3-7 years for your Meyer dwarf tree to start bearing fruits, with proper care and maintenance you’ll be able enjoy sweet citrusy goodness in no time.
How Do You Take Care Of A Meyer Lemon Tree?
When it comes to taking care of a Meyer lemon tree, there are several important steps to keep in mind. The first step is to make sure the tree is planted in an appropriate container. Meyer lemons are best suited for containers that are at least 18 inches deep and wide, with plenty of drainage holes. Additionally, the soil should be well-draining and nutrient-rich, such as a potting mix specifically designed for citrus trees.
Once the tree has been planted in its new home, regular watering is essential for keeping it healthy and thriving. It’s best to water the tree deeply once a week or more often during hot weather. The soil should remain moist but not soggy; if the soil feels dry when you stick your finger into it, it’s time to water again. Additionally, fertilizing your Meyer lemon tree every few months can help promote healthy growth and fruit production.
Finally, pruning can help keep your Meyer lemon tree looking neat and tidy while also encouraging more fruit production. Prune away any dead or diseased branches as soon as you spot them; this will help prevent any disease from spreading throughout the entire plant. Additionally, prune away any branches that are growing too close together or crossing over each other; this will increase airflow throughout the plant which helps reduce disease risk and encourages better fruit production. When pruning away branches be sure to use sharp pruning shears so that you don’t damage any of the remaining branches or leaves on your Meyer lemon tree.
How Cold Is Too Cold For A Meyer Lemon Tree?
Meyer lemon trees are happiest in temperatures between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so anything colder than that can be considered too cold. Even in zones 9 to 11, the tree should be protected when temperatures drop below freezing. Meyer Lemon Trees are a hybrid of traditional sour lemons and sweet oranges, which gives them their relatively tolerant of high temperatures but they can still suffer from cold weather. The optimum temperature to grow a Meyer lemon tree is approximately 77 to 86 ° F (25 to 30 ° C) and the lemon tree is relatively tolerant of high temperatures with lemons being grown commercially in regions such as the northern parts of Australia. In addition to cold temperatures, Meyer lemon trees are also sensitive to windy conditions.
When it comes to how cold is too cold for a Meyer Lemon Tree, it depends on where you live and what type of environment you have around your tree. If you live in an area where temperatures regularly drop below 45°F then your tree may struggle or even die if exposed for too long. If you live in an area where the temperature drops below 32°F then it’s definitely time to bring your tree indoors or cover it with sheets or tarps if planted outside. It’s important that when potting a Meyer Lemon Tree for indoor growth that you use a 5 gallon plastic pot about 12-15″ in height with good drainage as well as creating a potting mixture of 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 potting soil, and 1/3 perlite that will fill the pot before sliding the tree from its container, cutting away dry roots, fluffing if matted/encircled.
In conclusion, while Meyer Lemon Trees are relatively tolerant of high temperatures they can still suffer from cold weather so it’s important that their environment is monitored closely during colder months as anything below 45°F could cause problems for your beloved citrus fruit bearing friend.
How To Care For Meyer Lemon Tree In Winter?
When it comes to caring for a Meyer lemon tree in winter, there are several steps you can take to ensure that your tree is healthy and thriving. First and foremost, you should make sure that the soil is well-draining, with an acidic pH between 5.5 and 6.5. For outdoor trees, it’s important to keep the roots moist during the winter months as this will protect them from damage due to freezing temperatures. Additionally, if you have an indoor lemon tree, make sure that it has plenty of exposure to sunlight and use a fan or humidifier if necessary to improve air circulation and keep the humidity above 50%.
When it comes time for planting your Meyer lemon tree in late winter or early spring before the growing season starts, be sure to take into account your climate zone when deciding whether or not you need a container for your plant. If you live in zones 8-11, then planting directly into the ground should suffice; however if you live in colder climates then keeping your potted lemon tree indoors is recommended at least during winter months. To help keep your potted lemon tree warm during this time of year, place it near a window or other area of the house that doesn’t get too cold so that its roots don’t freeze over. Additionally be sure to water regularly but reduce watering drastically during winter months as this will give the plant some breathing room while also keeping its roots safe from damage due to freezing temperatures.
Finally when pruning your Meyer Lemon Tree between late winter and early spring make sure that all cuts are clean and sharp with shears below new leaf nodes/buds so as not damage any existing parts of the plant while still maintaining its desired shape. Following these simple steps will help ensure that your Meyer Lemon Tree stays healthy throughout all seasons so that it can thrive for years to come.