Here we present the best tips to grow a lemon tree successfully, either directly on the ground or in a pot, you will learn about Lemon Tree Care, its characteristics, the pests and diseases that you must avoid and how to combat them. We also tell you the great curious fact about this tree. Do not miss it, go ahead and continue reading!
Lemon Tree Care
The lemon tree is a low-sized fruit tree that can be planted both in the ground and in a pot, but in order for it to produce good fruit, flourish and provide good shade, in addition to its pleasant aroma, it is necessary to comply with certain care that it demands. . So in this article we give you the necessary tips for you to achieve excellent cultivation and maintenance.
Irrigation
Among the care of the lemon tree is irrigation, which is very important because they require a lot of water and constantly but not excessively. During the winter season, the frequency should be lowered but prevent the soil from drying out, the ideal is to always keep the substrate moist, but not waterlogged. Keep in mind that when the leaves begin to fall it is due to lack of moisture.
Fertilizer
In the case of lemon trees, it is recommended to fertilize at least three times a year, that is, in spring, summer, and fall, since the quality of their fruit is closely related to the quality of the soil. Therefore, this tree is considered demanding. You can feed it using worm castings, a fertilizer rich in micronutrients containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium as a base. Taking into account its height and production, it is recommended to add 3 grams of growth fertilizer for every meter of plant height and 150 grams of production fertilizer for every kilo of lemons it produces. pH and drainage are essential elements for this tree.
Rusticity
Another care of the lemon tree is the amount of light that it perceives, since it requires a direct incidence of solar radiation for at least 8 hours. Its ideal room temperature is between 17 and 18 degrees Celsius, with high humidity. In the case of reaching an extreme temperature, the lemon tree can withstand up to -2° and a maximum of 50°, which it will resist depending on the age, nutritional status and general health of the plant.
Pruning
Lemon trees require controlled pruning. This can be done before (June-July) or after (January-February) the harvest. This will keep them healthy and produce good fruit. This helps the tree distribute its sap better and prevent it from being wasted on old, unproductive branches.
Steps to properly prune a lemon tree
First, you should have large, sterilized shears to make clean cuts and prevent the tree from becoming infected with any type of fungus or bacteria. Next, take one of the thickest branches to form the main structure to provide balance when producing fruit. The lower branches should be pruned, as they won't receive adequate light. Finally, prune the branches that aren't part of the structure, i.e., the secondary branches. Pay close attention to those branches that rob light or try to cross branches that produce good fruit.
It's also important to keep in mind that pruning a lemon tree before it's 3 years old is not recommended. When it bears its first fruit and flowers, it's advisable to prune it to stimulate growth. Aggressive pruning should only be done when the lemon tree is weak or diseased.
Origin of the lemon tree
The lemon tree is considered a hybrid tree, of Asian origin, although this is not entirely clear, there are claims that the first lemon trees grew in the southern Himalayas. This fruit became known for its antiseptic and antidote properties for certain poisons. Then it reached Persia, Iraq and Egypt. By the 1940st century BC, it is suspected that it entered Europe, specifically Italy, but no large crops were carried out. By mid-XNUMX he arrived in America when Christopher Columbus was carrying lemons on his conquest voyages. Little by little, lemons were gaining ground both in cooking, in medicine and as a perfume.
Features
The lemon tree is classified as a small tree, reaching up to 7 meters in height and up to 3 meters in width at best, with an average height of 4 meters. It is an evergreen tree with a woody trunk, thick, thorny branches, and a broad, rounded canopy. Its leaves are simple, pale green, oblong, and have serrated margins. When young, the leaves display a sublime reddish hue. Its flowers are pink, better known as orange blossoms, and it can bloom several times a year.
How to plant a lemon tree in a pot
Lemon tree care when planted in pots should be at least 50 cm in diameter, with good drainage to prevent root rot. Fill the pot first with a layer of clay, then add substrate or black peat, organic fertilizer, and perlite up to half the container. Place the plant at least 3 centimeters from the rim. Finish filling the pot, place it in a direct sunlight, and water it.
Diseases and Pests
Lemon tree care includes keeping it free of pests and diseases that can harm its health and, consequently, its fruit. This article discusses the possible scourges that can affect your lemon tree so you can enjoy its beauty, fragrance, and fruit.
Diseases
The most common diseases affecting lemon trees are the Alternaria fungus, which causes leaf deterioration, weakening the plant to the point of death, so it must be treated quickly. Another virus that can invade this plant is the tristeza virus, considered the most serious virus in citrus trees, as it can kill the plant quickly and has no cure. When this occurs, the ideal is to destroy it. Exocortis produces scales and cracks in the bark, causing dwarfism; like the former, the ideal is to burn it. To avoid all these diseases, you should use disinfected tools and plant healthy lemon trees without grafts.
Another disease that can be found on lemon trees is penicillium, a greenish to white mold on the rind, which significantly damages the fruit. This should be treated with fungicide and copper-based compounds. Psoriasis is a disease that causes scales on the trunk and branches, which can accelerate the death of the plant. Therefore, you should carefully observe the bark for irregularities and gummosis. There is no treatment for this; however, you can remove the affected area and spray it with 65% Zineb.
Pests
There are plants that can be used as repellents to keep the lemon tree free of these animals. The most recommended are lavender, marigolds, and nasturtiums, which keep them away due to their strong scent. Ants, which are also an enemy of this plant, are attracted to the sweet secretion that lemons leave on the leaves; to eliminate them, simply remove the affected leaves. In the case of caterpillars, you must carefully remove them to prevent them from multiplying. These are effective and environmentally friendly ways to counteract the infestation, but if the damage is more severe, you should use chemical products.
It's also common to observe pests on lemon trees such as leaf miners, which feed on young leaves, forming large galleries. These form brown spots that eventually curl up until they fall off. Aphids, on the other hand, settle on the leaves, causing deformation of the fruit to the point of making it unpalatable. To exterminate them, the use of neem oil is recommended. Mealybugs accumulate on the underside of the leaves and on the stem; for this, it's recommended to prepare a very effective natural insecticide with alcohol and coffee. Spider mites are another pest that must be treated quickly, as they weaken the plant thanks to the webs they form.
Lemon Properties
Lemon is known for its culinary, medicinal, and cosmetic properties. In cooking, the juice and pulp are used as seasoning, for desserts, beverages, as a garnish for seafood and fish, or as a garnish for dishes. In medicine, lemon is recommended for its high vitamin C content, which helps combat respiratory conditions and prevent the action of viruses and bacteria. It is also credited with digestive properties, such as helping with heartburn and gastritis, expelling parasites, and stopping vomiting. In the circulatory system, it helps tone blood vessels, prevents angina, balances high blood pressure, and is recommended for the treatment of anemia and arteriosclerosis.
Its properties are also widely known for curing irritations, skin ulcers, herpes, pharyngitis, gingivitis, bad breath, and nail fungus. All of this demonstrates the powerful properties of this citrus fruit, which is why it should not be missing from your home. In beauty treatments, it is often used to lighten skin blemishes, whiten nails, can be used as a deodorant, remove facial impurities, tone oily skin, eliminate dandruff, and balance the pH of the scalp.
Toxicity
Lemon is a mildly toxic fruit. But this doesn't mean you shouldn't be cautious about overusing it, as it can become irritating to the skin, especially if exposed to sunlight. It can also affect hypersensitive people and can also damage the dental layer.
Curious Facts about the Lemon Tree
Lemons can be used to make visible ink, which can only be read if heated. In Venezuela, there is a legend about "the Lord's lemon tree." The story goes that in 1918, in the midst of a pandemic of black vomit, also known as the Spanish flu, in the city of Caracas, the procession of the Nazarene of Saint Paul took place on Holy Wednesday. People surrounded the image to pray for an end to the epidemic, and the saint's figure became trapped in a lemon tree that was in the middle of harvesting. The lemons fell scattered; the faithful collected them and made juice, which they gave to the sick, and miraculously they began to recover.
The following video presents tips for growing lemon trees successfully. Cheer up to see it.
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