The evergreen lemon tree with its creamy white, fragrant flowers and striking yellow fruits originally comes from the subtropical regions at the foot of the Himalayan mountains. However, the plant has also been at home in the Mediterranean region since ancient times, as traders brought it to Italy from Asia via Greece more than 2000 years ago. Lemons are fairly easy to grow from internal seeds, but tending to them is a little trickier - especially in winter.

Does a lemon tree need a lot of water?

As subtropical plants, lemons need regular watering. Regular watering, daily on sunny days, ensures good growth. However, the plants do not tolerate standing with their roots in water for a long time. Cover pots and deep saucers should therefore be checked regularly for residual water. The right time for watering has come when the substrate has already dried on the surface.

Can you plant a lemon tree in the garden?

In central and northern European climates, planting the lemon tree in the garden is not recommended. Lemons can withstand temperatures as low as minus 4 °C for a short period of time, but not in the long term. In addition, the roots are extremely sensitive to frost (unless it is a graft), and the light conditions in winter are far from sufficient. In short: It's too cold, too windy, too wet and much too uncomfortable for the lemon outside. In summer, however, she likes to stand in a bucket in the blazing sun.

Is the lemon tree frost hardy?

No. However, lemons refined on bitter lemons or bitter oranges are much less sensitive to unfavorable weather conditions.

Is a lemon tree suitable as a pure houseplant?

A lemon tree can be kept in the room all year round, but this is not optimal. Lemons need a lot of light - not only in summer but also in winter, which is why indoor lemons should be irradiated with an extra plant lamp (21.99€). However, lemons are best kept cool over the winter.

When and how should a lemon tree best be repotted?

Young plants are repotted once a year, older trees about every two to three years. The new planter is at best about a third larger than the root ball. The best time to repot is at the beginning of the growing season.

What kind of fertilizer does a lemon tree need?

Lemons are best fed with a citrus fertilizer or a liquid compound fertilizer (which contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in a 3:1:2 ratio).

When and how should you fertilize?

In the growing season between March and September, the lemon tree should be fertilized about every two to three weeks. Mix the fertilizer with the irrigation water and then water the tree as usual.

Does a Lemon Tree Need Pruning?

In nature, a lemon tree can grow up to six meters high, and the plant grows quite quickly. Therefore, a regular shape cut before putting them into winter quarters is advisable.

How is a lemon tree overwintered?

Lemon trees should overwinter in a light and cool place, such as an unheated or underheated room. Overwintering in a conservatory is ideal. Above all, you should pay attention to sufficient light, at best you should attach an additional plant lamp. In winter, only a little is poured and not fertilized at all.

Diseases of the lemon tree and their treatment

If the leaves of the lemon tree turn yellow, become pale or even fall off completely, there is very often a lack of nutrients, light and / or water. But root rot as a result of waterlogging can also be the cause.

How do I know if my lemon tree is infested with pests or fungi?

You can often recognize a pest infestation by discolored or falling leaves and by the fact that the lemon tree is sticky. If leaves and/or shoots are black, the tree is infected with a sooty mold fungus. This can simply be washed off. Lemons are very susceptible to infestation with spider mites and plant lice, especially in connection with improper overwintering.

What can I do against an infestation with pests or fungi?

Plant lice can be combated with soapy water or a mineral oil spray. If the infestation is large, you can put the pot and substrate in a plastic bag and dip the tree upside down in a bucket of soapy water. The treatment should be repeated several times at intervals of a few days. Fungi are effectively controlled with a fungicide.

My lemon tree has thorns. Is that normal?

Yes, many lemon trees - especially those you grew from seed yourself - have thorns on the leaf axils that can grow up to two inches long. The fluffy hairiness of young twigs is also normal.

tips and tricks

Normally, a fruit develops from each flower. So that the tree is not overwhelmed with the supply of the small lemons, you should thin out the fruits. This allows the remaining ones to grow better and reach maturity.

Category:

Vegetable garden