The lemon is a small tree (Citrus limon) that is green even in the winter. It came from Asia and is also the name of the tree’s oval-shaped yellow fruit. The fruit is used for cooking and other things in the world – usually for its juice. The lemon is the common name for Citrus limon.
Standard lemon tree varieties (Citrus limon) reach up to 20 feet tall, with dwarf varieties growing up to 12 feet high. This tropical tree produces mildly fragrant blossoms with white petals, which have purple undersides. The oval fruit is commonly light yellow, but some varieties are striped with green or white. Many lemon trees are everbearing — they produce fruit throughout the year.
Everbearing lemon trees are one of the citrus trees that require the least amount of warmth to ripen fruit. In U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, this citrus tree thrives in cool summers and mild winters. Because the tree is always growing, it does not tolerate cold temperatures that occur when other types of trees are dormant. At 28 to 29 degrees Fahrenheit, lemon trees lose their flowers and fruit. When temperatures drop to 22 to 24 F, the trees lose their leaves and 20 F damages the wood. Lemon trees need cold protection when winter temperatures are going to dip below freezing. Stringing the canopy with plugged-in holiday lights and covering with blanket usually offers enough cold protection for light freezes.
How To Grow Lemon Tree From Seed
The propagated lemon seedlings should have at least four hours of direct sun with temps between 60-70 degrees F. (15-21 C.). As the tree gets larger, prune it in the early spring and report as needed to encourage new growth and fruiting. Cease fertilizing and reduce water in the winter and keep the tree in a draft-free area.
Note:
Make sure your plant receives sunlight from a warm sunny window for at least 8 hours a day (direct sunlight). Otherwise, supplement some sun with a grow light.
Make sure the soil is damp at all times, but also make sure it doesn’t sit in a puddle of stagnant water. Drainage holes at the bottom of your container will help keep the soil the perfect consistency.
When To Harvest Lemons?
Lemons are ready to pick as soon as they are yellow or yellow-green in appearance and firm. The fruit will be 2 to 3 inches in size. It’s better to wait until they are the right size and not worry so much about color than to wait for them to be completely yellow.
