lemon
Citrus limon
Overview
Lemon (Citrus limon) is an amazing plant species with many culinary and medicinal uses. Its tartness makes it a great companion to savory dishes, and its bright, citrus flavor can elevate sweet treats. Lemon juice is high in potassium and vitamin C, helping to improve immunity, and its acidic properties can work to reduce bacteria in the body and counter inflammation. Plus, lemon zest is a great way to add flavor to dishes without adding extra calories. Lemons are incredibly versatile, and they can even be used topically to brighten skin or hair, making them a great beauty and health product.
Care Guide
Watering
Water your lemon tree deeply once to twice a week in the summer season and every other week during the winter. Give each tree 10 gallons of water (or an inch of water from the irrigation hose) during each watering session. Make sure the soil is evenly soaked all around the tree. Soak the area around the tree 1.5-2 feet out from the trunk and 2 feet deep. You can check to see if the soil is saturated by sticking your finger into the soil around the tree a couple inches deep. It should be moist but not soggy.
Light
Lemon plants need sunlight for at least 6 to 8 hours a day to thrive and produce their fruits. Citrus plants prefer full sun, and should get at least 4 or 5 hours of direct sunlight each day. If possible, they should be positioned close to a south- or west-facing window where they will receive the most sunlight during the peak hours of the day.
Temperature
Hardiness zone 9-11.
Pruning
The best time to prune a lemon tree (Citrus limon) is in late winter or early spring, before new growth starts to emerge. It is important to prune lemon trees in order to help promote healthy growth and fruiting. When pruning, it is important to remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches, as well as prune back branches and limb tips which are growing out of shape. It is also recommended to reduce branch density to promote better airflow, light availability, and fruiting. How much to prune will depend on the size of the tree, but in general, around 1/3 of the plant’s total structure can be removed in any 1 year.
Propagation
Air Layering Propagation, Grafting Propagation, Cutting, Seed Propagation
Related plants
Other plants you might like if you grow lemon.
