Why the lemon-tree?
A choice in favor of the lemon-tree has a number of reasons, not just an exotic appearance and tempting fruits. Plant leaves emit substances such as phytoncides, and they protect against a bacteria and other microorganisms. Also, the plant contains essential oils, which with its aroma protects from a cold. It turns out that, even if the plant has not developed a fruits, it will distribute citrus aroma, having an ability to stimulate sensuality, so it can be placed in a bedroom.
Cultivation
As any citrus plant, for the cultivation of the lemon-tree is needed Plant Food VermiCompost mixture with an acidic soil in proportion of 1: 3. Similarly, the choice of a pot cannot be careless, because it has to be of a material that allows plant to breathe, to absorb redundant moisture and in hot days to cool down the roots. These requirements correspond to the clay pot, which is not glazed. Be sure that in the bottom of the pot is placed a tray, where to accumulate excessive water.
Although it may seem that the cultivation of the lemon-tree at home requires very warm temperatures, in fact, during the winter months, it will be able to keep itself alive up to the zero-degree temperature. Place suitable for the lemon-tree cultivation at home could be a window sill or cool veranda, where is no large temperature fluctuations. During the summer season is safe to place the plant outdoors, but have to keep temperature moderation. If the plant grows indoors, then continuously grow it there, but if in a greenhouse, then try to ensure decent conditions in the cold months.
Fertilization should be done every 2 weeks with Citrus Plant Food full fertilizer. In contrast, during dormancy period the fertilizer dose should be reduced - once a month. The dormancy period for the lemon-tree that grows indoors is from October to February.
Ensuring the plant with light requires it to be in the bright spot in the winter months, so it can be placed in areas with artificial light brighter. During the winter season it is the best to place the plant on the south side.
Lemon-tree is certainly not from these plants, who like too much humidity and prolonged drought will not be fragrant, so each owner have to adapt to watering frequency. Trying to find the golden mean between excessive moisture and drought, can only take into account the fact that the water used for watering should be slightly warmer than room temperature. Also, the water should be poured slowly and deliberately, and about half an hour after the watering, have to pour out the excessive water from the pot tray. In cold weather lemon-tree watering should be less frequent, but plant will love spraying leaves with the water in any season.
Signs for lack
The biggest advantage in the lemon-tree cultivation is that, that the most often the plant itself produces signs of the lack of something. For example, if the plant will have the lack of nutrients, quite rapidly it will change a leaves to a brighter color and with brown edges. If the plant lacks the light, or the ground is too dry, the plant will not leave it unnoticed, because the leaves will start to fall. If temperatures will be moderate, the plant will not make complaints, but if there will be temperature changes, the leaves may fall off.
Is it possible to expect the lemons?
If you want to get vitamin C-rich fruits for home grown lemon tree, have to arm ourselves with patience and follow a couple of nuances. Fruits form for quite long time - six to nine months, and this time depends on how much light the plant got. The less light, the fruits form longer. Like the flowers, fruits and begin to form in May and June when is the warm season. In the branches of the plant can simultaneously grow both the fruits and flowers, so if that at the turn of spring would expect these exotic fruits, is obligation timely to provide appropriate conditions for plant. Flowers may blossom not only in spring, but also in the winter.
Interesting facts!
It turns out it is possible to grow the aromatic lemon tree from store bought lemon pip, But then will not be able to enjoy such juicy fruits. Also, in situations where the apple tree is grown from apple seeds, and grows up crabapple, from lemon pip will grow wild lemon with very acidic and bitter fruits. Although it is possible to grow the plant, but fruits may not develop so successfully.
