Outdoor lemon tree
- Dig a hole twice the size of the rootball.
- Place a drainage bed at the bottom of the hole with gravel or clay balls.
- Mix the garden soil with potting soil.
- Fill the hole and water.
How do you plant a Meyer lemon tree?
These are the steps to follow to plant your Meyer lemon tree in a pot. Select a sturdy container with drainage holes that is 1-2 sizes larger than the container the tree arrived in. Place a 2-inch layer of stone at the bottom of the pot. Create a potting mixture with peat moss, potting soil, and either vermiculite or perlite in the pot.
When to plant a Meyer lemon tree in Zone 9?
When to Plant a Meyer Lemon Tree in Zone 9?
- Zone 9 Planting Time. The best time to plant a Meyer lemon in USDA zone 9 is in the late winter or early spring. ...
- Choosing a Nursery Tree. Nurseries typically sell 2-to-4-feet-tall Meyer lemon trees in 3-gallon containers. ...
- Soil and Location. Meyer lemon trees are optimally planted in well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. ...
- Planting Basics. ...
How do you grow Meyer lemon tree?
Planting Meyer Lemon Trees
- Select a sturdy container with drainage holes that is 1-2 sizes larger than the container the tree arrived in.
- Place a 2-inch layer of stone at the bottom of the pot.
- Create a potting mixture with peat moss, potting soil, and either vermiculite or perlite in the pot.
- Slide the tree out of the container.
- Cut off dry roots and fluff matted roots.
How do you grow Meyer lemons?
Meyer Lemon Trees at a Glance
- Cross between lemons and mandarin oranges
- Chefs use the sweet-tart skins
- Self-pollinating
- Can bear fruit in as little as two years
- Will fruit indoors and outdoors
- Heavy harvest in winter
- Require consistent misting
See more
When Should Meyer Lemons be planted?
ANSWER: Plant your lemon tree in late February or early March after the coldest part of winter is past. (This applies to all citrus). Plant it in a sunny, well-drained location with plenty of room for it to grow 8 feet tall and wide.
How do you plant a lemon tree on the ground?
Dig your hole just as deep and approximately twice as wide as the tree's root ball. After you've got everything ready, place your tree and loosen its roots just a bit. Then, backfill your hole with soil and 2 inches of compost and water well.
How do I prepare my soil for a lemon tree?
For citrus, clay soils should be loosened and amended with coarse material such as sand or rough compost to facilitate better drainage. Loam soil is a blend of sand, silt, and organic matter. Sandy loam soil that drains well is ideal for growing citrus trees.
How deep should you bury a lemon tree?
Citrus trees should generally be planted above grade by 1 to 2 inches, with soil mounded to cover roots. This compensates for soil settling, provides good drainage for upper roots, and reduces risk of diseases and other issues.
Do lemon trees grow better in pots or ground?
Another issue with lemon trees in containers is that they are more vulnerable to the cold and drought. While a lemon tree in the ground can take mild frost and cold, a lemon tree in a container cannot. A lemon tree in a container has a hardiness zone that is one zone higher than the USDA recommended zone.
Where is the best position to plant a lemon tree?
The best way to plant a lemon tree is to:Plant your outdoor lemon trees in spring.Choose a sunny, warm spot to grow in.Make sure the soil is loose, sandy, slightly acidic, and well-fertilized.Dig a hole just deep enough for the root ball.Cover with soil but leave the top of the root ball exposed.More items...
What is the best potting soil for Meyer lemon tree?
sandy soilWhen growing Meyer lemons, you'll need soil that's loamy and well-draining. Make your own loamy mix by mixing equal parts soil (a sandy soil or slightly-silty soil is fine), perlite, and sphagnum peat moss. Alternately, look for a pre-mixed potting soil for citrus trees.
What kind of soil do you use for Meyer lemon tree?
sandyPlant your Meyer lemon tree in loamy, sandy, well drained soil. Keep about the top inch of soil consistently moist but not soggy. The pH of the soil should be between 5.5 and 6.5.
Can I use potting soil for lemon tree?
Citrus need well drained soil, so selecting the right potting mix is important. Commercial potting mixes with peat moss, perlite, vermiculite and compost are fine to use as long as the soil is light enough to drain water well.
What do you put under lemon trees?
Small flowering annuals such as pansies or lobelia are suitable, as are shallow-rooted herbs. Try marjoram, oregano or thyme. All of these will do best on the outer edges of the canopy, where they can catch some sunshine. In the shadier spots, try some colourful impatiens.
What is the best container for a lemon tree?
Barrel planters, grow bags and large flower pots are great options, as they provide ample room for the roots to expand and thrive. When the tree is potted, there should be at least an inch of room between the soil and the top of the planter or pot.
How much space does a Meyer lemon tree need?
Meyer lemon trees prefer loamy soil with a pH around 6.0 to 6.5. You'll need to fertilize it around once a month with a nutrient-rich, slow-release nitrogen fertilizer. This tree also requires spacing of 36-60 inches in order to best provide a year-round growing season.
Can you put a lemon tree in the ground?
It's best to plant lemon and orange trees in pots, so you can move them in and out of the garden for summer and winter. Opt for terracotta pots when planting, as they lose moisture more quickly, so it's harder to overwater. Good drainage is essential for all citrus trees, and they won't thrive in waterlogged soil.
What do you put under lemon trees?
Small flowering annuals such as pansies or lobelia are suitable, as are shallow-rooted herbs. Try marjoram, oregano or thyme. All of these will do best on the outer edges of the canopy, where they can catch some sunshine. In the shadier spots, try some colourful impatiens.
What are three common problems that lemon trees can have?
Now that we've got the care guide down, let's get into the seven problems of lemon trees, and how to tackle them.Lesions On Leaves – Citrus Canker. ... Black Moldy Spots – Sooty Mold (And Aphids) ... Fuzzy Gray Mold And Brown Spots – Botrytis Blight. ... Tan Spots with Dark Outlines – Anthracnose. ... Brown Scabs – Lemon Scab.More items...•
How many years does it take for a lemon tree to produce fruit?
When grown outdoors in warm climates, regular lemon trees grow 20 feet tall and take up to six years to bear fruit.
What type of soil do Meyer lemon trees need?
Soil. Meyer lemon trees can grow in almost any type of soil with good drainage. They prefer a soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5 and thrive in loamy or sandy soils. Add lime to increase the soil pH or sulfur to lower it if necessary.
How long does it take for a Meyer lemon tree to bloom?
The most essential component in a blooming Meyer lemon tree is abundant light—all citrus trees need a lot of light to bloom and simply will not do so without getting at least eight hours a day. If you don't have one location in your lawn that gets that much light, consider potting your lemon tree (versus planting it in the ground) so you can move it around and "chase" the light throughout the day.
How tall do Meyer lemons grow?
Although Meyer lemon trees are naturally shrub-like, they can also be pruned into tree form. When planted in the ground, they can grow to 10 feet tall. When grown in garden pots, they'll generally be smaller and grow accordingly with the size of the pot. Seedlings develop at a moderate pace and can be expected to bear fruit in about four years.
What color are Meyer lemons when ripe?
When ripe, Meyer lemons will be an egg yolk yellow color and slightly soft to the touch. Use a knife or scissors to cut the fruit from the branch so you don't risk damaging the plant by pulling off a larger piece than intended.
How tall do lemon trees grow?
Native to China, Meyer lemon trees are naturally shrub-like but can easily be pruned into true tree form. When planted in the ground, they can grow up to 10 feet tall, though when grown in garden pots they'll generally be smaller and grow accordingly with the size of the pot. Seedlings develop at a moderate pace and can be expected to bear fruit in about four years. These trees are best planted in the early spring after the danger of frost has passed. They need warm conditions year-round to produce a good harvest, or they will need to be overwintered indoors.
When do lemons ripen?
Because citrus fruit will only continue to ripen while still on the tree, make sure to wait until it's ripe before picking. When ripe, Meyer lemons will be an egg yolk yellow color and slightly soft to the touch.
Can you grow Meyer lemons in pots?
Growing Meyer lemon trees ( Citrus × meyeri) in garden pots or the ground is a rewarding experience. Not only are they prolific fruit producers, but their showy white blossoms are incredibly fragrant and beautiful, and their shiny, dark foliage adds additional interest. Although Meyer lemon trees are naturally shrub-like, ...
What are Meyer Lemons?
You may be wondering, what are Meyer lemons? Today’s Meyer lemon trees are a hybrid released to the University of California in 1975. Before that, the Meyer lemon tree was imported from China. While it became increasingly popular in the United States, it was highly susceptible to disease and actually banned because of its penchant for spreading a devastating virus to healthy fruit trees.
How long does it take for a Meyer lemon tree to grow?
Properly caring for a grafted Meyer lemon tree facilitates fruit production in as little as two years. Seed grown trees fruit in four to seven years.
How tall is a Meyer lemon tree?
The thin-skinned fruit is sweet and grows readily in the right conditions. The tree reaches 6 to 10 feet (2 to 3 m.) in height. Pruning keeps it more manageable with a fuller appearance. It is self-pollinating, which means you need only one tree in order to get fruit.
Why is Meyer lemon banned?
While it became increasingly popular in the United States, it was highly susceptible to disease and actually banned because of its penchant for spreading a devastating virus to healthy fruit trees.
How much sun does a Meyer lemon tree need?
Whether grown in a container or planted in the ground, Meyer lemon growing requires at least six hours of sunlight. In the hottest summer areas, morning sun and afternoon shade are best for growing Meyer lemons.
Can you grow Meyer lemons outside?
Meyer lemon growing can be grown outside in USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11. Those in more northern areas successfully grow Meyer lemons in large containers that are overwintered indoors, away from freezing temperatures. Caring for a Meyer lemon tree is simple when you follow a few basic steps.
Can lemon trees grow fruit?
Seed grown trees are often unhealthy and may not reach the point of flowering or producing fruit. Soil conditions when growing these lemons should be well-draining; however, the soil must hold enough water to remain moist. Allow soil to dry out only slightly between waterings.
What diseases did Meyer lemons carry?
While the juicy, slightly sweet fruits were a hit on the West Coast by the 1940s and popularized in the 1970s by cookbook authors and cooking shows, the trees also carried the Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) and Citrus tatter leaf virus (CTLV), which affected and killed other citrus species. Only the 'Improved Meyer' cultivar, ...
How long does it take for Meyer lemons to grow?
After the tree flowers, the Meyer lemon growth rate ranges from five to nine months from flowering to harvesting the ripe yellow fruits.
When do Meyer lemons produce fruit?
Your grafted 'Improved Meyer' may begin flowering and producing fruit during its first year after planting, according to Citrus.com. If you planted seeds, the tree may begin producing fruit when it reaches 4 years old; however, the fruits may not resemble the parent plant, since 'Meyer' lemons are hybrids. The flowers are self-fertile, but you can increase the pollination rate by swirling a small paintbrush in each flower to distribute the pollen evenly. After the tree flowers, the Meyer lemon growth rate ranges from five to nine months from flowering to harvesting the ripe yellow fruits.
How to dolly a citrus tree?
A square planter is easier to dolly indoors when cold weather is in the forecast. Fill the container with a potting mix formulated for citrus trees or mix your own using compost, peat moss, and coarse sand or perlite. Plant the tree at the same depth as it was in the grower's pot.
How to sterilize citrus cutting tools?
Be sure to sterilize your cutting tools by dipping the metal blades in rubbing alcohol or a household cleaner like Lysol or Pine-Sol. Sterile tools help prevent the spread of diseases and pests. Also put on gloves, safety goggles, long sleeves, long pants and closed-toe shoes before pruning citrus or any other tree or shrub.
What is a Meyer lemon?
The 'Meyer' lemon (Citrus × meyeri) is believed to be a hybrid of a lemon (Citrus limon) and mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata), according to the Missouri Botanical Garden. 'Meyer' lemon trees grow in gardens in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. If you live in a colder climate, ...
How to grow lemon trees in Zone 9?
In the cooler parts of USDA zone 9, consider planting the lemon tree near a wind-sheltered, south-facing wall, which will provide a warmer microclimate during the winter months .
How high can a Meyer lemon tree grow?
They are hardy to about 25 degrees and can survive temperatures as low at 15 degrees with adequate protection. The Meyer lemon (Citrus x meyeri) is a lovely small tree that reaches 15 feet in height.
How to prevent girdling of a tree?
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and as deep as the container. This will help prevent girdling (this occurs when the roots of a container grown-plant circles the trunk instead of spreading out in a more natural manner; as the tree grows, the roots can strangle the tree). Fill in around roots with the mix.
When was the Meyer lemon discovered?
The Meyer lemon was discovered in China and brought back to the United States in 1908. It is not a true lemon, but is believed to be a cross between a lemon and either a tangerine or orange. The fruit of the Meyer lemon is rounder and has a thin, orange-tinted skin.
Can you move Meyer lemons in the garage?
In areas where the winter temperatures occasionally reach the mid 20s, Meyer lemons can be moved to an unheated garage for protection on cold nights. Meyer lemons are carriers of the citrus tristeza virus and although they exhibit no symptoms, they can infect other citrus growing nearby.
Can lemons infect other citrus?
Meyer lemons are carriers of the citrus tristeza virus and although they exhibit no symptoms, they can infect other citrus growing nearby. The cultivar known as the improved Meyer lemon is free from the virus and is the preferred cultivar to grow.
How to make a plant a root ball?
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and as deep as the container. Mix some organic material (peat moss, leaf mold, manure, or compost) into the soil that has been removed. The ratio should be 1/3 organic matter to 2/3 soil. Remove the plant from its container.
History and Cultivation
Lemons have been around for thousands of years, but the dwarf Meyer is a more recent creation.
Propagation
Many garden stores sell these particular trees, but it’s satisfying to grow one on your own. You have two options for propagating this tree: growing it from cuttings or seeds. We recommend propagation through cutting, as it increases the chances of lemon production and helps retain the Meyer lemon’s classic flavor.
How to Grow
Dwarf Meyer lemon trees are low-maintenance plants as long as you provide them with warm growing conditions and ample sunlight. People who live in warm climates like Florida, California, and Texas have the option to keep their containers outside or inside.
Pests and Diseases
The Meyer lemon tree doesn’t have the exact same genes as the original plant that Mr. Meyer brought from China, and that’s a good thing for us since scientists bred the newer version to be more disease resistant. Nevertheless, as hardy as the dwarf Meyer lemon tree is, it’s still susceptible to pests and diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Provided that you offer your tree plenty of light and suitable growing conditions, it will flower indoors. Once it flowers, you’ll need to self-pollinate the plant since there aren’t insects or wind to do it for you. Dwarf Meyer lemon trees don’t require another plant for reproduction, so you just need to move its own pollen between its flowers.
Final Thoughts
Owning a dwarf Meyer lemon tree is a delight from both a gardening and ornamental standpoint. It makes for an excellent talking point when guests visit, and it produces large quantities of lemons despite its small size. With the background knowledge we shared here, you’ll get to enjoy your tree for dozens of years.
How deep should a Meyer lemon tree be planted?
A nursery Meyer lemon tree is planted in a hole twice as wide as the rootball and the same depth; the top of the rootball should sit about 1 inch above the ground. If the tree was grafted onto another root stock, the graft union where the scion meets the rootstock should be several inches above the ground.
How big of a container do you need for Meyer lemons?
Nurseries typically sell 2-to-4-feet-tall Meyer lemon trees in 3-gallon containers. Larger trees growing in smaller containers are not recommended, because their roots circle around the interior of the containers and they may not grow well once you plant them. Nurseries typically have more trees to choose from in the late winter or early spring.
What is the pH of Meyer lemons?
Soil and Location. Meyer lemon trees are optimally planted in well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Soil pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of soil on a scale of 1 to 14, and soils of 5.5 to 6.5, typically found in climates with lots of rain, are acidic or “sour” soils.
How tall is a Meyer lemon tree?
A Meyer lemon tree will eventually reach about 8 to 10 feet tall, so plant it 8 to 10 feet away from other trees and in a location that is protected from winter wind. Avoid locating it among plants that you irrigate frequently or on a lawn.
What temperature does a tree need to be in the winter?
You could plant one in the fall but a winter freeze might kill it before it has a chance to grow. Winter lows in USDA zone 9a range from 20 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, and lows in zone 9b range from 25 to 30 F.
Is Meyer lemon cold hardy?
For home growers, Meyer lemons have the advantage of being more cold hardy than standard lemons. If properly protected from winter cold, they may be grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11.
Is a lemon a hybrid?
Gardening. By Richard Hoyt. Meyer lemon (Citrus x meyeri), native to China, is a hybrid lemon believed to be a cross between a true lemon and a mandarin orange. A Meyer lemon is rounder than a true lemon and has a slight orange tint when it is ripe. Its flavor is milder than a true lemon.
Benefits
Cultivation
- Though Meyer lemon trees are naturally shrub-like, they can also be pruned into tree form. When planted in the ground, they can grow up to 8 to 10 feet tall and up to 12 feet wide. When grown in garden pots, your plant will be smaller and grow accordingly with the size of the pot. Meyer lemon trees will thrive if you provide the right conditions. Care includes finding the ideal location for the…
Culture
- All citrus trees love the sun, and the more the better. When your plant is inside, give it as much light as possible. This can be done by placing it in a sunny, southwest-facing window, or by setting it under grow lights or shop lights fitted with one cool and one warm bulb.
Risks
- Be careful about giving the tree too much direct sun as this can burn your plant. If all else is handled well, you might be able to keep your lemon alive with enough bright, indirect sun as well.
Climate
- Meyer lemon trees are happiest in temperatures between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. That means unless you live in USDA zones 9 to 11, you should bring your Meyer lemon tree inside when temperatures start regularly dipping below 50 degrees.
Environment
- Indoors, citrus trees do best with humidity levels of 50 percent and above. If you don't have a humid enough spot indoors, fill a tray with rocks and pour water to just below the top of the rocks. Place the pot on top of the rocks and humidity will rise up around the plant.
Preparation
- Repot in a five-gallon or larger container that is at least 12 to 15 inches in height and has good drainage. Fill the pot partway with potting mixture, remove the tree from its original container and fluff the roots if they are matted. Place the tree in the center of the pot and fill in with potting mixture just to where the crown of the roots is still visible. Firmly but gently press the soil down a…
Prevention
- Periodically pruning your Meyer lemon tree is important both for structuring the plant so that it fits in your space, and so that the branches can support the fruit as it emerges. Cut back long leads as they develop (these branches typically do not produce fruit) so that the side branches can fill out and strengthen to hold the fruit. If you keep your lemon tree indoors for the winter, your fruit …