A citrus tree expert bring out how to grow a lemon tree in a pot , including getting the plant to produce fruit .
Ted Betz
Growing lemonsin a container is comfortable than you may believe . “ On a scale of one to 10 , with 10 being grueling to grow , I would say lemon are a six , ” says Matthew Fleming , trail plantsman for tropical plants at the Smithsonian Gardens . Alexander Fleming cares for the potted citrus and other tropic plants in the nation ’s garden .
Credit:Ted Betz
Matthew Flemingis the lead plantsman for tropic plants at the Smithsonian Gardens in Suitland , Maryland .
Meyer lemons(Citrus limon ) and Eureka lemons ( Citrus limon‘Allen - Newman ’ ) are thebest varieties to growin a container because they are both hardy , semi - dwarf plants that detain under 10 foundation tall , Fleming says . “ But that ’s if you put them in a 3 - foot wide pot . They do exquisitely in a small sight and will bring forth yield when they are just 2 or 3 feet tall . ”
Lemon tree grow to the pot , so you may grow a Citrus limon tree that correspond your space . Meyer lemons will flower and set yield year - round , so they are an specially good choice for growing in a pot . “ you’re able to get two crops out of them , ” Fleming says .
Tips for Growing a Lemon Tree in a Pot
Here are Fleming ’s tips for growing a lemon crop in a mickle .
1. Use a terra-cotta planter.
“ Lemons are very particular about their root word , and they do n’t like pie-eyed infantry , ” Fleming says . “ They demand to dry out between waterings . Terra - cotta plantersbreathe and let a maize tree dry out in a means that plastic , ceramic , or acrylic pots do not . ”
Like other citrus , lemon areprone to root rotand are easier to like for in a terra - cotta pot that can wick excess weewee off the ground , Fleming enunciate .
2. Pick the right-size pot.
Do n’t put a lemon yellow Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in a wad that is too turgid . “ Choose a mass that is about 15 % larger in loudness than the current skunk the lemon is in , ” Sir Alexander Fleming says . put a lemon yellow tree in an oversized container may cause the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to get etymon decompose because all the supernumerary soil outside its root organisation wo n’t dry out out as quickly as it would in a smaller container .
“ You require to give the lemon tree elbow room to mature , but watering becomes an issue in a pot that ’s a hatful tumid than the tree ’s root system , ” Fleming says .
When repotting a rootbound lemon tree , tease the antecedent out so you could see the size of the root system , and choose a raft that ’s about 15 % big than the root organisation .
3. Choose a well-draining potting mix.
stinker Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree demand a chunky mix that lets pee drain off quickly , Fleming say . That ’s because — one more time for those in the back — lemons are prone to root rot if the tree ’s source ride in soggy soil for too long .
“ Do n’t use a soil mix for tropic plant , ” he cautions . “ Go with a mix blended for cactus or citrus tree that is informal and slightly more acidic . ” Lemons prefer asoil pH of 6.0 to 6.5 , modest than most potting soil mixes . If the stain pH is wrong , the Citrus limon tree diagram will not be capable to absorb the nutrients it call for from the dirt .
4. Don’t overwater.
gamboge like to dry out out between watering . To keep from overwatering your tree diagram , dumbfound a digit into the soil in the pot , and if the top in of soil is ironical , give the lemon tree a drink . Otherwise , put down your watering can . you may also use a moisture meter .
gibe your lemon tree tree every span of days to see if it take watering because no linguistic rule of quarter round for absolute frequency of lachrymation will apply to all situations . In extremely blistering weather , your potted lemon tree may need watering a duet of times a week . Reduce watering in the wintertime when the lemon tree ’s growth slow up down .
5. Choose the right fertilizer.
lemon are heavy birdfeeder that like more nitrogen than other plants , Fleming says , so choose a fertilizer with a 2 - to-1 or 3 - to-1 ratio of nitrogen to other elements . Most fertilizers have an NPK ratioon the recording label that ’s expressed in three number . The first number is the nitrogen , by weight , in the fertilizer . The 2d act is the amount of phosphorous , and the third number is the amount of potassium .
calculate for plant food with a first number that is two to three clock time higher than the other phone number . Ideally , you want a fertiliser with at least a 2 - 1 - 1 proportion . “ But any balanced fertilizer will work , ” Fleming says . A citrus fruit - specific fertilizer remove all guesswork .
6. Feed three times a year.
Fleming read to give your lemon tree three giving meal of fertilizer a yr . Feed it once in late winter , a second time in the spring , and then a third prison term in the fall before its growth slows down for the wintertime . The goal is steady feeding without overfeeding , which can damage the tree .
7. Remove some of the baby fruit.
dilute out the sister lemons when they are still pea plant - sized so your tree wo n’t bear down . Too much yield run down a tree diagram ’s energy and leaves you with a lot of puny lemons or else of a few liberal , healthy unity .
“ Overbearing will drain the flora . If it grow too much fruit one year , it may keep it from fruiting at all the following yr , ” Ian Lancaster Fleming says . lemon have evolved to acquire enough yield to regurgitate despite storm that rap off unripe yield and predators that use up unripe yield , he says . Since you are growing your Citrus limon in a pot , away from nature ’s rude yield thinners , you must step in with your pruners . Fleming recommends leaving just one lemon per growing dot on the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
8. Prune minimally.
Prune your lemon treein late winter and other spring , Fleming say . It efflorescence and fruit on raw woods , so you want to snip before it start to put on Modern growth . He recommends removing any utter or crossing branch , any sucker below the transplant , and open up the center of the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to allow twinkle and airflow .
Lemons are naturally scrubby , shrub - like tree with multiple branches . rationalise them to a single trunk with a consummate tree shape search elegant , but it may give you less yield and a less healthy tree .
“ shape them is really not necessary , ” Ian Lancaster Fleming enunciate . “ They ’re not the prettiest if you rent them do their thing , but they farm more fruit and are salubrious . ” That mean let them be scrubby and multi - trunked with a bare - looking middle .
9. Get the light right.
Lemon treesneed full Lord’s Day , so put them where they will get at least six 60 minutes of sunshine a day . Take them outdoors in the spring , summer , and declivity , where they can indulge in the sun all day . When you wreak them inwardly for the winter , give them the best light you could . You may take a grow lightto furnish the lighting they involve , even though their growing slows down in the wintertime .
10. Keep an eye out for pests and diseases.
Check your lemon tree weekly for pests , such asaphids , spider hint , scale leaf , and fungal disease . care for your plant with neem oilor insecticidal soap as soon as you see signs of insects or insect damage . If your tree shows signs of fungus , prune off diseased folio and improve the plant ’s tune circulation . you’re able to do this by pruning the shopping centre of the tree so it ’s open to airflow .
11. Keep it from freezing.
Lemon trees die when temperatures drop off below 32 ° atomic number 9 , which is why most of us grow them in a bay window . We bring them inside for the winter . Lemon trees thrive in temperatures between 70 ° F and 100 ° degree Fahrenheit .
When you take your industrial plant out of doors for the spring , move it gradually so it can acclimate . impart the lemon tree in the sunlight a little farseeing each day for up to two week . Move it too tight , and you risk scorch the leaves .
12. Keep humidity levels high.
When your lemon is indoors for the winter , you may need a humidifierto keep the leaves from drying out and dropping off — unless you are keeping your potted citrus in a greenhouse . Citrus involve 50 to 60 per centum humidness .
