You get the very best of all worlds with Meyer lemon bushes. They develop fairly blossoms, add a splash of sunny shade, and, in fact, they produce scrumptious fruit. A hybrid of lemon and mandarin orange, they’re juicy and fewer tart than different varieties. They’re additionally on the sweeter facet, which makes them a favourite for desserts and cocktails. They’re additionally not too excessive upkeep; nonetheless, they do require endurance. To get all the advantages, here is what it’s good to find out about rising and caring for a Meyer lemon tree, whether or not you plant indoors in a container or outside, plus data on pruning, propagating, harvesting, and extra.
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What’s a Meyer lemon tree?
The primary Meyer lemon tree (Citrus x meyeri) was launched in China in 1908, and the variability we all know in the present day (which is much less prone to viruses) got here from the College of California in 1975. Grocery shops do not often promote the fruit, however you will discover them at your native farmers market—or develop your individual.
Meyer lemon bushes belong to the flowering citrus household. They’re broadleaf evergreen bushes, which means their shiny darkish inexperienced leaves naturally stay on the plant yr spherical in hotter climates. These vegetation can develop to succeed in 6-10 ft tall. The dwarf selection grows to be about 5-7 ft, preferrred for a smaller garden or accent in a room with restricted house. Meyer lemon bushes bloom within the fall or early spring with aromatic white blossoms.
How one can Develop a Meyer Lemon Tree: Indoors vs. Outside
Meyer lemon bushes require a hotter local weather to thrive outside, surviving winters in hardiness zones Sep 11. Should you dwell in a colder area, you may preserve your lemon tree outdoors in the course of the hotter months in a big container. Then, deliver the tree inside as soon as temperatures drop under 50°F. Meyer lemon bushes are barely chilly tolerant, and so they want a interval of cooler temperatures (round 60°F) to encourage flowering.
Rising your Meyer lemon tree indoors means that you can not fear in regards to the out of doors local weather, however you do have to verify it is getting sufficient daylight. Place it close to a south-facing window, or you may “chase the solar” all through the day by shifting it round. Help with pollination should you’re rising indoors by swirling a small paintbrush or cotton swab across the middle of every lemon blossom to gather and unfold pollen. Should you’re outside, pollinators take care of this for you.
How one can Take care of a Meyer Lemon Tree
Plant your Meyer lemon tree in loamy, sandy, effectively drained soil. Hold in regards to the prime inch of soil constantly moist however not soggy. The pH of the soil ought to be between 5.5 and 6.5. If it’s good to decrease your soil pH, add sulfur; to extend soil pH, add garden lime in keeping with bundle instructions.
Meyer lemon bushes love humidity. That is particularly vital indoors, the place the degrees have to be stored at 50% or above. Use a humidifier or mist the leaves a number of occasions a day (particularly in the course of the drier months). You can even fill a tray with stones and an inch or two of water and place your pot on prime to extend humidity ranges. Ensure to put the tree away from air vents or drafty home windows.
The important thing to maximizing development and fruit manufacturing is sufficient daylight. Meyer lemon bushes favor direct solar however can survive partly shade. Whether or not you have planted yours indoors or outside, they want not less than 6-8 hours per day. Contemplate investing in develop lights if your own home does not get a variety of pure mild.
Use a fertilizer excessive in nitrogen made particularly for citrus bushes. Apply it two or 3 times all through the rising season, from April to September. Should you’re seeing yellow leaves, it is usually an indication that it is time to add fertilizer. Ensure your tree is getting sufficient water, too.
Pruning and Propagating
Pruning will assist preserve your Meyer lemon tree wholesome and engaging. It will possibly additionally stimulate the expansion of bigger lemons. Wait till your tree is between 3-4 ft tall earlier than pruning and the lemons are ripe (if there are any). Start on the base and trim off any lifeless or dying branches and skinny stems that will not be sturdy sufficient to carry fruit. It is also vital to prune any areas that will have been affected by infestations. Pests together with mites, whiteflies, aphids, leafminers, mealybugs, and spider mites have a tendency to focus on citrus bushes, and so they may cause substantial harm to younger bushes. Use a neem oil spray to forestall pests from spreading.
To propagate your Meyer lemon tree, lower off a wholesome new stem with no fruit or flowers within the late spring or early summer season. Bury it (lower facet first) in a 1-gallon pot with high-quality potting combine, and set it in a vivid spot. Hold the soil moist and mist the slicing till it begins rising roots (which ought to take about two months).
Hector Sanchez
How one can Harvest Your Meyer Lemon Tree
This is the place the endurance is available in: Meyer lemon bushes have to be just a few years outdated earlier than they will flower. Trees grafted to rootstock can fruit in as little as two years, and bushes grown from seeds take as much as seven years. The extra care you give your plant, when it comes to daylight, water, pruning, and pest management, the higher. Fertilizing and letting your tree have a interval of cooler temperatures in winter can velocity issues up.
As soon as fruit begins rising, you may count on an ample harvest within the fall and winter annually. Outside bushes can flower yr spherical if in a heat local weather. Ensure your lemons are ripe earlier than choosing; they will be orange-yellow (like an egg yolk) and really feel barely comfortable. Use a knife or scissors to chop the fruit from the department (do not pull or chances are you’ll harm the branches).
How one can Repot a Meyer Lemon Tree
Should you’re bringing your tree inside for the winter, repotting is kind of easy. Fill a container with drainage holes that is not less than 1 gallon or bigger midway with potting combination. Gently unfold out the roots, place it in soil, and water instantly.
The place to Purchase Meyer Lemon Trees
You’ll find a Meyer lemon tree at retail nurseries, garden facilities, and on-line shops like PlantingTree.com and 1800-Flowers.com. They vary in worth from round $60-$120, and dwarf Meyer lemon bushes often value $20-$90.
