How to plant and grow lemon at home?

Exotic flora has long been popular with indoor florists. Now no one can be surprised by tropical plants that get along well on window sills with geraniums and violets. Citrus fruits in the indoor flower garden are not the last. Many people manage to grow a beautiful tree, but not everyone can boast of homemade lemons. What is the reason? How to grow a lemon to bear fruit?

The best varieties for home growing

Under natural conditions, a lemon is a fairly tall tree with a spreading crown, its height reaches 8 meters.

Of course, it would take up a lot of space in the apartment, so dwarf varieties were bred specifically for home floriculture. They are neat bushes that give a very good harvest.

If you decide to grow lemon at home, then pay attention to the following varieties.

1. Meyer, or Chinese dwarf. The most popular and low maintenance variety. Withstands lack of light well. The shortest of all known varieties. Meyer is a lemon-orange hybrid, so lemons have a sweet taste. Fruits can be set after 18 months of growth, flowering is abundant.
2. Pavlovsky. Bred in the Nizhny Novgorod region. It reaches a height of 1.5 meters, propagates by cuttings and yields a harvest in the third year. From one plant, you can get from 10 to 30 fine-peeled pitted fruits. It blooms twice a year. The tree lives up to 45 years.
3. Novogruzinsky, or Novo-Afonsky. A fairly tall tree, up to 2 m. With large leaves and flowers of a lilac hue. Fruiting in 4-5 years, lemons weighing up to 120 grams, fragrant and tasty.
4. Maikop. Medium dwarf, lush, with a lot of thin twigs, yields many tasty fruits.
5. Ponderosa, or Canadian. A hybrid of lemon with grapefruit. Flowering begins in the second year after rooting. The yield is small, from 3 to 7 pieces, but the fruits are large in size, their weight can reach 1 kg. Unpretentious, does not need additional lighting.
6. Eureka. A frost-resistant variety, it can be grown outdoors in mild climates, withstands temperatures down to -5 degrees. The fruits appear in the second year of growth, large, thick-skinned and tasty. The plant reaches a height of 1-1.5 meters.
7. Genoa. A low-growing bush without thorns. Blooms and bears fruit throughout the year, resistant to adverse conditions. Differs in high productivity.

Whichever variety you choose, with proper care, each tree will delight you with its decorative appearance, lush flowering and yellow or orange lemons.

What to choose - planting seeds or cuttings

Unlike oranges and tangerines, lemon is easy to graft and grows quickly from an ordinary seed. How to grow lemon at home - by cuttings or from seeds, which method is better? Let's take a look at the features and disadvantages of each method.

Seeds

1. You may not wait for the first harvest at all; under favorable conditions, it will bear fruit no earlier than 6-7 years from the moment of planting.
2. Difficulties with the formation of the crown. The tree should be constantly cut, watch out for excess branches.
3. In contrast to grafted plants, lemons grown from seeds produce a higher yield.

Cuttings

1. Propagation by cuttings allows you to grow a stronger and more viable plant.
2. If the cutting is taken from a fruitful tree, then the probability of getting fruits without additional vaccinations is very high.
3. Many varieties reproduce only by cuttings, since their fruits do not have seeds.
4. The flowering and ovary of lemons begins much earlier than those grown from seeds. But cuttings should be taken from a mature plant that has borne fruit at least 2 times.

How to grow lemon on your own?

Have you chosen a way to plant a lemon? Well, let's get to work.

Soil requirements

Since lemon will grow in a confined space, you need to choose the right soil for planting and make sure it is loaded with nutrients.

If you are planning to dig up land in a garden or vegetable garden, then this is a bad idea. Garden land is too dense, does not have the necessary drainage, and indeed has an incomprehensible composition and is most likely inhabited by small pests in the form of bugs and worms. But if you insist and understand the soil, then take 3 parts of sod land and one part of sand and humus. Take sod land under old deciduous trees, except for oak and poplar, cut off a layer no deeper than 10 cm.

But it is best to purchase a special citrus blend from flower shops. In an extreme case, a universal substrate will also do, but its acidity should be from 5.5 to 6.5 units.

Every 3-4 years, the tree needs a transplant, so discard the old soil without regret, and fill up the new, fresh one.

Lemon roots are small, so there is no need to buy a large pot. For a young plant, it is enough that the height of the container is 20 cm, and the diameter of the upper part is no more than 15 cm.

Pot

There is a wide variety of pots and pots in stores. What's the best for citrus? Let's figure it out.

1. Clay. Clay containers are characterized by good porosity and are saturated with water. On the one hand, the tree will not suffer from a lack of moisture, and on the other, it can rot from its excess. Rapid evaporation through the walls of the vessel cools a clod of earth, and lemons are tropical plants, it is harmful for them. Salts and minerals are deposited on the inner walls, the roots are drawn to nutrients and often grow into the clay. During transplantation, the root system is severely damaged. Well, the fragility of the material is of no small importance. The slightest blow, and you have to look for a new place of residence.
2. Plastic. Ceramics, of course, are more beautiful than plastic. But plastic is cheap, lightweight and durable. Among the disadvantages, a homogeneous structure can be noted, which does not allow excess moisture to evaporate through the walls. But the risk of rotting can be reduced by using a drainage mat on the bottom. Ease of construction - the tree will be less stable than in a heavy clay pot.
3. Wood. It combines all the advantages of clay and plastic, but fragility and deformation from water is a significant drawback. Usually, a "mature" plant is transplanted into wooden tubs, which has survived childhood sores and a period of growth. In this case, the inner surface is impregnated with special components and lined with a film to avoid rotting.

With the material sorted out, now pay attention to the dimensions. As a guideline, the diameter of the top is approximately equal to the height of the pot.But the bottom should be narrowed. And the more branchy the crown, the wider the pot.

Drainage holes are required! Up to 2.5 cm in diameter, and for a large container, it is better to add a couple more.

With each new transplant (every 3-5 years), the pot should grow two to three centimeters. When the lemon stops growing, it can be left alone, but it is necessary to periodically remove the top layer of the "depleted" earth and add a new nutrient substrate.

You cannot plant a young plant immediately in a large tub, the earth will quickly oxidize, and the lemon will hurt.

Disembarkation process

Now let's figure out how to plant a lemon so that it is comfortable and it quickly grows. Consider two methods: a stalk from an elite variety and an ordinary bone taken from a fruit bought in a store.

Seeds or seeds

There is no need to buy seeds from the store, just take a juicy ripe fruit and select a few intact seeds.

Now the fun begins - germination. There are two ways. The first one - poke fresh, freshly extracted bones into the ground to a depth of 1-2 centimeters, put them in a bright place without drafts and periodically moisten the ground. Hatching time is up to two weeks.

But since a person is a curious creature, and a woman is doubly, then you will periodically poke around in the pot in search of nascent life, which means that you can inadvertently damage the tender sprouts. Therefore, we pass to the second method.

Place the seeds between two layers of cotton wool soaked in water. You can sometimes satisfy your curiosity by lifting the top layer. Once the sprout appears, gently transfer it to the ground.

Cuttings

You got a stalk from friends who have a fruiting lemon. Your actions are as follows.

1. First, you need to know if you got the right cutting. It should reach 10-15 centimeters in length, up to 5 millimeters thick, have a keratinized layer and 3-4 leaves. A fresh cut is best dipped in ash to prevent decay. And if you also treat it with an additional growth stimulant, then rooting will take place quickly and without problems.
2. Secondly, for successful cuttings it is necessary to create a favorable microclimate of 20-25 degrees and good lighting.
3. Third, stick the prepared shoots into the citrus soil and spray liberally with a spray bottle.

Cuttings will root very quickly if you provide them with warmth, light and moisture.

Sprout care

Cover sprouts from seeds or unrooted cuttings with plastic transparent cups or glass jars to create a microclimate. Spray the young growth every day and harden with fresh air, temporarily removing the cans.

A seed sprout can be released from the kindergarten of the greenhouse when 4 leaves appear. Successful rooting of cuttings is determined by the appearance of new leaves.

Fertilizer and transplant

Young trees practically do not need feeding; more mature plants that have reached 3-4 years of age should be additionally fertilized. In the spring-summer period, the procedure is carried out once every 3 weeks, and in the cold season - once a month.

You can use folk remedies or buy fertilizers at the store. Use the purchased funds according to the instructions.

Young shoots are transplanted several times during the year, then the transplant depends on the growth of the plant. During the period of active growth - once a year, then every 3-5 years.

The most favorable time is the beginning of spring, when new leaves did not appear and inflorescences did not set. You can also transplant in the fall before the onset of cold weather.

Tree care

For successful growth and development, lemon needs to be provided with good lighting, warmth and humidity. Avoid direct sunlight, they can burn the leaves. It is not recommended to place the pot in a draft.

Watering is moderate, the ground should be slightly damp.Tropical crops are very fond of spraying, so get a spray shower often.

How to "make" citrus fruit

Of course, I would like not only to admire the decorative bush, but also to see the flowering, and also to taste the fruits.

Not all seed-grown plants will be able to bear fruit. Sometimes you need to wait up to 10 years, and sometimes you can not wait for the fruit at all. In this case, the vaccination from the "giving birth" plant will help. The process is quite complicated and time-consuming, but if all conditions are met, it can give a positive result. Be sure to follow the advice of experienced florists.

To get a guaranteed harvest, purchase an already grafted young tree, so you will avoid the hassle of breeding.

Among the cardinal measures to enforce flowering can be attributed a risky method to put the plant in conditions between life and death. To do this, bring the tree to dryness until the leaves fall, and then create favorable tropical conditions. However, this method is cruel to a living being and can lead to the death of a lemon.

Helpful hints

1. Do not buy a plant in a greenhouse, lemon does not like changes and does not adapt well to new conditions.
2. When choosing a seedling, carefully examine it. The root system must be sufficiently developed.
3. It is best to buy a grafted young bush, it will more easily get used to the atmosphere of your apartment and will definitely bear fruit.

Conclusion

Whatever kind of lemon you grow, take care of it with love, and it will repay you not only with a blooming look, but also with a delicious fragrant harvest.

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Some indoor plant lovers have adapted to growing citrus trees on the windowsill. Lemon is especially popular. Growing lemon at home will not take a lot of energy from the owner.

Growing lemon can be done at home

Lemongrass are native to southern countries with a warm and humid climate. Therefore, the main task of the grower is to ensure similar microclimatic conditions in the house or apartment.

Why is lemon grown at home?

There are several advantages to breeding lemon crops at home. The main one is the fragrant healthy fruits that the plant produces annually. In addition, placing a lemon on a windowsill can be an interior decoration.

You can grow lemon at home in a pot or tub. The pot is more suitable for dwarf plant varieties, the tub is useful if a large tree is grown from a stone. With a sufficient amount of heat, moisture and light, indoor lemon can reach one and a half meters in height and produce up to 150 fruits per season. It is very difficult to achieve such results, but taking into account all the features of care, it can still be done.

Another advantage of growing lemon is the beautiful appearance of the tree. He has a dense and always green crown. During the flowering period, the plant throws out beautiful flowers. They are often covered with mighty green leaves. The only exception is the Ponderosa lemon, whose branches are thin and resemble a spreading bush. Despite the external weakness, the twigs can withstand up to 50 fruits. This decorative tree can be grown on a windowsill, since it does not take up much space.

Lemon bush can produce up to 50 fruits

General features of growing lemon at home

Lemon is a thermophilic tree. Lack of heat affects the fact that the plant grows poorly, gets sick or dies. If you decide to put a pot on the window, then you must:

1. Choose south or east side. The plant should receive a lot of sunlight.
2. On sunny days, the tree is placed in the shade, and on cloudy days, it is illuminated with fluorescent lamps.
3. In the summer, take the plant out to the balcony or loggia. There it receives more oxygen and solar energy. And only by the fall it is brought back to its original place. In winter, you should monitor the temperature indicator, which should not fall below 10 degrees.

Special attention should be paid to the quality of the soil and the pot. The fact is that lemons have an individual nutritional system. They get water not through ordinary hairs on the roots, but through fungi in the soil. The connection of the house plant with the mycelium of the fungi is sensitive to external factors. It can be easily disturbed by a lack of oxygen, improper watering and sudden changes in temperature.

Before growing a lemon tree, you should take care of a suitable soil. Plant lemons in loose soil types that are pH neutral. It is best to plant citrus in ready-made soil purchased from a specialized store. If the indoor lemon is placed in a self-made substrate, it is important to take into account the proportions of humus, turf and sand. The soil with meadow turf, leafy soil, humus and sand is also popular.

Mistakes in care lead to the fact that the lemon tree at home dies from aridity or excess moisture, poor living conditions or pests.

Lemon prefers the sunny side of the room

Planting lemon

For small plants, a clay pot is suitable, for large plants it is better to use a wooden tub, which is considered the best option for placing citrus fruits. Natural material allows oxygen to pass better to the lemon roots. Before placing the planting material in the pot, it should be inspected for damage. The planting process itself is simple:

1. The root collar is buried 5 cm deep.
2. The container is filled with soil almost to the very top. Better if there is a space of 1-1.5 cm between the edge of the pot and the soil.
3. After planting, the seedling is sprayed with water and watered with a solution of potassium permanganate.

The planted tree is left on the windowsill. A young plant needs a lot of light and warmth. On hot days, it is better to create partial shade, which will save you from burns. It is not worth changing the place for the pot, the lemon does not like moving. Occasionally, you can turn the tree with darkened leaves towards the sun for even heat.

Lemon seedlings are sprayed with water after planting

Growing lemon from seed

If you decide to germinate a varietal lemon from the seed, you should know the peculiarities of its cultivation. This process takes much longer than planting seedlings. To find out how long it takes for the seeds to germinate, you need to take into account the following features:

1. The sprout breaks out of the soil 2 weeks after planting. Sometimes it takes more time (up to one month).
2. Citrus buds require greenhouse conditions, so the pot with a bone is covered with a cut plastic bottle or wrapped in plastic wrap. Inside such a cap, the humidity is several times higher than in an open space, and the transparency of the bottle allows the ascending sprouts to receive sunlight. In a homemade greenhouse, watering should not be overused. The soil already gives off moisture to the allotted space of the greenhouse, so it should only be sprayed.
3. When a small stalk has broken through, it is taught to indoor conditions by removing the greenhouse cap for 1-2 hours a day.
4. Transplanting into a large pot occurs only when 4 leaves appear on the sprout.

Growing lemon in a greenhouse will also work for mature seedlings. With the correct organization of climatic conditions, you can do without it. It is also not worth rushing with feeding.

Until the citrus root system is fully formed, any external additives will be perceived by the tree as poison. It is best to do top dressing in the spring or summer, but not earlier than three months from planting.

Growing a lemon from a seed will take quite a long time.

Lemon watering

Growing a lemon at home is not an easy task, often a lemon does not survive for several months. And one of the reasons for this is improper watering. Providing proper home care is essential for the plant to grow healthy and strong. How to properly water

1. Provide moderate watering with settled water once a day. You can water it once twice a day (you need to monitor the condition of the soil).
2. Water the lemon 2 times a week in winter.
3. Drain the accumulated water in the sump immediately after watering. Plant roots can rot from excess moisture.
4. Sprinkle lemon leaves daily with warm water. It is especially important to do this in winter, when the air becomes dry from the operation of heating systems.

Experienced growers advise beginners to find a moisture balance: avoid overflow and lack of moisture. With a lack of it, the leaves of any kind of lemon begin to turn yellow. If watering is not done in a timely manner, the microza and the plant die. If yellowed leaves are detected, the lemon should be sprayed with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

We must not forget about the benefits of a warm shower. Like everything standing motionless in a dwelling, a lemon is covered with a layer of dust and dirt. It should be washed off as dust interferes with the process of photosynthesis. Bathing of the plant is carried out no more than 1 time per month.

Dust should be regularly washed off lemon leaves.

Lemon fertilization

Recommendations on how to care for a lemon also apply to plant nutrition. Citrus fruits are sensitive to fertilizers. The preparations must be constantly changing, because when using one fertilizer, the pH of the soil can change to an acidic or alkaline side. In such soil, lemon does not ripen, it grows for a long time, gets sick and dies. To avoid this, you should:

1. Choose only mineral formulations for fertilization.
2. Apply fertilizers from March to October at intervals of 2-3 weeks. For young plants, it is enough to carry out the procedure once a month and a half.
3. Combine top dressing with watering in the summer.
4. In spring and autumn, feed the plant only after watering. Fertilizer is applied at least 2 hours after the soil is moistened.
5. In winter, fertilize once.

Unlike complex mineral fertilizers, not all organic substances are suitable for lemon. The most effective solution is a weak solution of manure with water (1/6) and an extract from wood ash. A special infusion of birch and quinoa leaves is popular.

Some citrus fruit owners are faced with the problem of flowering. When flowers do not appear on the crown among the ripening leaves, this indicates poor feeding. Why does the plant react this way? The fact is that the lemon does not have enough strength to bear fruit. And a change in fertilizer will help him cope with this problem.

From quinoa, you can prepare an infusion for fertilizing lemon

The importance of pruning

The need for pruning is due to decorative and sanitary features. Its shape and scheme most often depend on the purpose of growing the tree. Small ornamental plants do not need sprawling large branches, so they are cut as much as possible, making the crown compact. For citrus fruits that bear fruit, the rule of balancing branches and shoots applies. The most common pruning method is pinching.

It begins after the lemon has reached the age of one year, with preliminary pruning of the main shoot. It is best to leave 30 cm in length. This is necessary so that the lateral buds on the tree begin to sprout.

Only after the lemon gets stronger and gives new branches, they should be pinched. 3-4 leaves remain on each branch. This pruning method allows the tree to grow strong, able to hold and ripen fully.

It is important to prune old dead branches. Lemon spends its powers on them, but it will not work to revive them. Therefore, it is better to rid the lemon of the extra load. Those shoots that grow inside the crown also lend themselves to pruning. They most often prevent neighboring branches from developing and getting enough sunlight.

Lemon harvest

Enjoy the ripe lemon fruit grown on your own balcony or windowsill only if the blooms are formed correctly.Weak immature plants can throw out a large number of flowers in the second year of life. You cannot leave them. The structure of the tree cannot withstand a heavy load, and the lemon will die, giving all its strength to the fruit. To grow a large crop, you should:

1. In the second year of the lemon's life, leave 2 flowers on the whole tree or completely remove the inflorescences.
2. During flowering, carefully monitor the health of the tree, protect it from drafts and carry out all the features of caring for it.
3. Know the rule of forming inflorescences - there should be 10 leaves for 1 fruit. All other ovaries are removed.

Lemon harvest can be expected 4-5 years after planting.

Do not expect high fertility rates from a houseplant. The tree grows and develops very slowly. Any human error can delay the appearance of blooms. You should constantly monitor the condition of the lemon and feed, cut and water it in a timely manner.

Some citrus fruit owners get their first good fruits within 4-5 years. Their number rarely exceeds 5–8 pieces. A larger harvest will have to wait longer. The tree reaches its maturity only by 8-10 years, and at home the lemon lives up to 40-45 years.

Transplant features

Some citrus owners are faced with the problem of the plant's rapid death. If its cause depends on watering and fertilization, then the tree suffers from an incorrectly selected pot. Too much capacity causes root rot. It is better to use pots commensurate with the root of the plant and replant the tree only when it becomes cramped. It is best to increase the space gradually, while controlling the growth of the tree's roots.

We must not forget about the proper access of oxygen to the roots. It is better to install the pot on a pallet with a gap so that air can penetrate into the ground. Place a lining of stones or wood under the bottom of the pot.

After transplanting, the citrus is returned to the same place where it stood before. Any change in the environment is bad for the health of the plant. It can hurt and even die. If you want to turn the tree with the darkened side towards the sun, then you should change the angle by no more than 10 degrees. Only in this way will the lemon grow strong and healthy.

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Lemon - a tree of the genus Citrus, everyone knows its fruit. The homeland of this plant is China, India and the Pacific tropical islands.

Lemon was first introduced by the Arabs to the Middle East, North Africa, Spain and Italy.

Is it possible to grow a lemon from a seed at home?

People know about the benefits of lemon firsthand. Lemon is an excellent remedy for many ailments.... It strengthens the immune system, normalizes hormones, improves vision, and stimulates the digestive tract.

It is used for colds, as it contains a huge amount of vitamin C and many people just like the sour, aromatic taste.

It is possible to grow lemon at home. If you cut a lemon, you can see a lot of seeds. It is quite possible to grow a full-fledged lemon tree from these seeds.

To a man who decided to plant a lemon at home, it is important to consider the following rules:

• the fruit should be yellow, the most ripe, since if the lemon is green, then due to the fact that it is not ripe, the germs of sprouts in the seeds of such a lemon may not sprout;
• for planting, it is important to choose several large seeds - from 10 to 15 pieces, so that later you can choose a beautiful and actively growing seedling;
• it is important to choose a suitable variety that will grow well at home.

For cultivation, you must choose the right variety of lemon, the fruit must be ripe, the seeds are large

Suitable variety for a house or apartment: Pavlovsky, Meyer and others

There are many varieties. Below are some of them that are suitable for growing in a house or apartment:

1. Pavlovsky - differs from other varieties in its large fruits, which can reach 500 grams, has a sweetish taste, and the tree of this variety is quite large - more than 2 meters. This variety is distinguished by fragrant leaves. The scent is so sharp and strong that the whole house will be filled with it.
2. Meyer - a hybrid of lemon with grapefruit, has a sweet and sour taste, a small tree with a rich harvest, the size of one lemon can reach 150 grams, blooms in bunches, there is a seasonal dormant period.
3. Ponderosa - a hybrid of lemon with grapefruit, has a bitter taste, as well as the presence of a large number of seeds. Pleases that it constantly blooms. According to the people who grow this type of lemon, it is a very grateful plant and quite unpretentious.
4. Genoa - an average tree, gives a large yield already for 4-5 years of life. Fruits with delicate pulp, have a sour, aromatic taste. You can also eat the rind. This variety is considered not whimsical. For 2-3 years, the seedling is already blooming.
5. Anniversary - a medium-sized tree, considered a variety that gives a rich harvest, the fruit is distinguished by its thick skin. Very suitable for growing in a house or apartment.

After the stage of choosing a variety has been passed, it is necessary to proceed to the very planting of the seeds in the pot.

Varieties that are suitable for growing in a house or apartment: Pavlovsky, Meyer, Genoa, Yubileiny, Ponderoza

How to plant plant seeds: highlights

Some active citrus growers with a wealth of experience it is advised to free the bone from the upper husk, which in their opinion allows you to get seedlings in the shortest possible time.

This must be done very carefully, since any damage to the seed can lead to the fact that the germination of the seed does not occur.

But you can plant bones without the above procedure.

Lemon seeds must be wet before planting... It is advisable to soak them for a day in water or in a solution of sodium humate. You can buy this growth stimulant at any botanical store.

But even if the seeds were planted without soaking, and as soon as they were removed from the lemon, they will most likely sprout.

Next, you need to find a suitable small, shallow pot or glass, pour earth into it. There should be holes in the bottom of the pots... They are important so that excess moisture, due to which the roots of the sprouts may die, flows down.

Make holes in the bottom of the pot, fill with small pebbles, soil

Put 1.5-2 cm of expanded clay, small pebbles or very coarse sand on the bottom of the pot. Planting soil can be purchased at the store, but you can prepare yourself. To do this, you need to mix garden soil, sand, humus and a little charcoal.

It is better to plant bones to a depth of no more than 1.5-2 cm... It is important to moisten the soil before planting. It should not be dry, but excessive moisture is also undesirable.

The pot can be covered with plastic wrap. The air temperature in the room where the seed pot is located should be above + 18 ℃.

Spray the soil once every 2-3 days... If the ground has become completely dry, then you can water it a little. After the first shoots appear, the film must be removed.

It is better to rearrange the pot with sprouts in a bright place and watered with settled or rain water, at room temperature.

The first shoots will sprout no earlier than 3-4 weeks after planting.

According to experienced citrus growers, the best time to plant lemon is late winter, early spring... Since the increasing daylight hours will only benefit the young sprouts that have appeared.

Will the indoor lemon tree bear fruit?

Many people think that growing a lemon from a seed is a thankless job. Since it will take 5, 7, or even all 15 years to wait for fruits from such a lemon, and its fruits will be small in size.

For that, in order not to wait for decades when the lemon tree begins to bear fruit, it must be grafted... This can be done in two ways during the warm season (summer or warm spring):

1. Into the cleft - the preferred type of grafting. It is necessary to take a stalk of a cultivated fruiting lemon. A branch is cut on the seedling, and the remaining stem of the seedling is split. A "wedge" is sharpened on the cutting of a fruiting lemon, which is then introduced into the split in the stem. Next, you need to tie the vaccine with electrical tape. 2-4 buds are left on the cutting of a fruiting lemon, everything else is cut off. The inoculation is covered with a plastic bag. When the vaccine has healed, the bag can be removed.

Lemon grafting - by budding or splitting - is necessary for early fruiting

1. Oculated - the shoots are cut off from the seedling, a "stump" 10 cm high remains from the tree. Next, they take a sprig of cultivated fruit-bearing lemon. Under each leaf of the twig is the so-called "dormant bud". A slice must be made in front of this kidney. Next, cut off the leaf plate, but leave its petiole. Cut the bark on the "stump" of the seedling and insert the petiole with the cut down. Tie the vaccination site with electrical tape. The stalk of the cut leaf plate will serve as an indicator. If the petiole falls off after 2-3 days, then we can assume that the vaccination was successful, but if it dries up, then the vaccination has failed and must be repeated.

I wonder what grown lemon from seed adapts to home conditions faster and better, it is less picky than grafted and grafted seedlings.

Why lemon grown from seed does not bear fruit:

Optimal growing conditions, care after planting

It is advisable to be very attentive to a lemon that has risen in a pot. When on lemon seedlings 3-4 leaves will appear, they are transplanted into separate pots.

It is recommended to replant young lemon trees up to 2 times a year. It is advisable to do this very carefully so as not to damage the root system.

Typically, lemon can react to both extreme heat and sunlight, as well as cold and strong winds. Therefore, when changing the location of the lemon pot, it is advisable to keep this in mind.

And the best solution would be not to change the place of "residence" of the lemon. The best place for a lemon would be the south or southwest side of the apartment. In terms of temperature, lemon can tolerate temperatures from + 14 ℃ to + 27 ℃.

The best place for a lemon would be the south or southwest side of the apartment.

Lemon create conditions without sudden temperature jumpssince they can kill him. It is desirable to maintain a moderate air humidity of 60-70%.

Water the plant best with rainwater at room temperature. In hot summer, it is better to do this 2 times a day. And on cloudy and cold days, it is important to add lighting to lemon with LED or fluorescent lamps.

Feed in summer a seedling can be a solution of humus and liquid mineral fertilizers.

Lemons, like all houseplants susceptible to disease and pest attacks... Therefore, they need careful care, and it is also recommended to carefully examine the plant every day in order to detect the appearance of this or that pest as early as possible and take the necessary measures in time.

Courting and Protecting: The Main Enemies of Citrus

Lemon gets sick if you do not follow the rules of care. If the tree is watered a little, it will dry out. If the soil in the pot is oversaturated with moisture, then yellow leaves will appear on the lemon, and this will be a sign that the roots of the tree are beginning to rot.

Same the appearance of yellow spots on the foliage, after which the leaves dry and fall off, indicate that the wood lacks iron.

Drying leaf ends say that the tree needs phosphorus. And the lack of potassium and manganese leads to wrinkling of the leaves and falling off of the ovary.

Knowing how to grow a tree is not enough, it is important to be able to care for it.If a pest is seen on the plant, it is necessary to figure out what kind of parasite it is and urgently take measures to combat it.

Below are some common parasites that can attack a home-grown lemon:

1. Mealybugs, popularly known as "hairy lice" - on a tree they can be recognized by a white bloom. They prefer dry conditions, they are afraid of moisture. A good prevention of this parasite is to regularly rinse all the lemon leaves.
2. Shield - small shiny droplets appear on the leaves, sticky to the touch. Leaves dry and fall off. Soapy or garlic water is used against this pest. Soapy water is prepared as follows: 2 tablespoons of liquid soap are dissolved in 1 liter of water. The resulting mixture is treated with the affected tree. An hour after the procedure, they are washed under the shower. It is desirable to repeat the treatment after 2 days.
3. Spider mite - small, light dots on the sheet plate. The leaves are curling up. A cobweb is visualized on their back. If this parasite is found on the lemon, it is necessary to treat the tree with sulfur. For prevention purposes, the lemon is washed under running water, paying more attention to the underside of the leaf plates of the tree. Spraying with a solution of water and laundry soap helps to fight the mite well.

Common parasites that can attack home-grown lemon: mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites

Prevention measures

There are several simple preventive measures that will prevent the attack of parasites or damage to the tree by diseases:

• give a lemon tree a hot shower... The plant will not suffer from this, and unnoticed parasites will be neutralized and washed away;
• spray the leaves (especially from the bottom side);
• wipe the lemon leaves once a week with soapy water (it is better to use laundry soap).

"Fitosporin" is considered a good remedy for many diseases and pests. It is non-toxic and odorless. It is also good for prevention.

The lemon tree is not geranium, it needs proper care and it is very difficult for a beginner to figure out what, how and when to do it.

With the effort and study of the rules for caring for lemon, you can get a pleasant result. Home-grown lemon will delight not only with its aroma, but also with delicious fruits.

Growing lemon from seed:

Lemon grown in a pot on a windowsill will saturate the air in the house with phytoncides and essential oils, protecting against infectious diseases and bacteria. And in order for a miniature tree to regularly please not only in appearance, but also in fruits, it must be grafted. You can buy seedlings in specialized stores, but it is more interesting and cheaper to plant a seed in the ground and wait until it turns into a young sprout.

Choosing planting material

Where can I get a lemon seed? Go to the supermarket or the market, choose the largest fruit of a rich yellow hue and get a bone out of it. The main thing is that there are no spots and other damage on the citrus peel. In planting material taken from a dented or rotted sample, an infection or disease can lurk, which will destroy fragile shoots that have hatched from the ground.

The purchased lemon is carefully cut, trying not to touch the shell of the seeds with the blade, and the seeds are removed. The planting material is immediately sorted: large specimens are left, small ones are thrown away, because they rarely sprout.

It is advisable to plant seeds in pots immediately, while they are still wet. But if there are several dry lemon grains left in the cabinet, which are a little more than a month or two, the workpiece is soaked in warm water for several hours, and then buried in the ground.

Lemons are also grown from a cuttings, which can be got hold of friends or neighbors.Cut off a young twig from a fruiting tree, put it in water, add heteroauxin and wait a day. The cuttings must have at least 3 buds, and the mother lemon must necessarily produce at least 6–10 citruses per year.

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Soil and pots

Some indoor trees grow up to 8–10 m in height, others stop at 3–4 m. Beginners, who are first engaged in lemons, try to plant a seed or cutting immediately in a huge pot or wooden box. The plant needs space, but when there is too much of it, the root system does not develop properly. Therefore, in the first step, a small clay pot or disposable plastic cup will suffice.

You can create a container for growing lemon from a bottle:

1. Cut off half or a third. Discard the top with the lid, leaving the bottom of the bottle.
2. Make many small holes in the bottom to ensure air circulation.
3. Place the homemade pot on a plastic plate or tray so that excess water drains onto the stand and not onto the windowsill.
4. Fill a bottle with earth and plant a lemon seed in it.

You can also grow citrus seedlings in a flower pot, several pieces at once, but there should be a distance between them. It is recommended to mentally draw an equilateral triangle on the surface of the earth and stick 1-2 grains at each vertex of the geometric figure.

Used for growing lemons and wooden rectangular boxes. Between the seeds, 15–20 cm recede so that the root system has room for development. Regardless of the chosen container, a drainage layer 1–1.5 cm high is laid on the bottom of the pot or box. If it is absent, moisture begins to accumulate, the air circulates poorly and a fungus appears in the soil. The root system of the lemon rots and the plant disappears.

The following are used as drainage:

• small stones or pebbles;
• small pieces of pottery;
• grated foam;
• coarse sand;
• expanded clay or crushed wine cork.

Tip: To provide the plant with a nutrient medium, it is recommended to put a layer of peat, dried cow or horse manure, or a little moss on top of the drainage. The top dressing height is 1.5–2 cm, followed by the soil.

Perfect soil
Lemon is considered an unpretentious plant that can take root in any land. The main thing is to be warm and have enough moisture. Often seeds are planted in a mixture of sod soil, river sand and humus. More experienced gardeners add wood ash to the soil, which will feed weak sprouts.

Suitable for growing citrus trees and soil intended for indoor plants. You can buy soil in flower shops, it is advisable to add a little peat to the soil. If lemon cuttings are planted in pots, then a layer of sand is poured over the ground. This helps the citrus take root faster and take root in a new location.

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Disembarkation process

Make a small depression in the soil, about 1.5–2 cm, slightly moisten the soil and stick a few seeds into it. It is recommended to take 2-3 seeds per hole, because some of the planting material may be empty and unviable. If several shoots hatch from the hole at once, the strongest and healthiest specimen is left, the rest are carefully pulled out or cut off to the very root.

How everything happens:

1. Put seeds in moistened soil, sprinkle them with earth and lightly tamp the soil.
2. Spray the ground with warm distilled water or melt water using a spray bottle.
3. Cover the pot with a plastic bag to create a greenhouse effect.
4. Place the lemons in a room where the temperature does not drop below +18. Before the first sprouts appear, the seeds do not need light, so citruses can be kept in any room.
5. Periodically open the film and ventilate the soil in the pots, regularly moisten the soil with a spray bottle, but make sure that the soil is not too wet and damp.

They do it a little differently with cuttings:

1. A twig, which has stood for several days in a special solution, is planted in the ground after the appearance of thin roots.
2. The plant is buried so deep that only two buds remain on the surface, the rest must be hidden underground.
3. At first, the stalk needs abundant watering, because the lemon does not have strong roots that can draw moisture from the soil.
4. The plant feels comfortable at a temperature of + 18-20 degrees.
5. It will take about 1.5–2 months for a citrus cut to take root in the pot and start growing actively.

Tip: If you overdo it with watering, and the earth cannot dry out in any way, you should not wait for mold to appear. The pot is freed of wet soil and filled with new dry soil, into which the lemon is transplanted.

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Citrus sprout care

Plant pots should be kept away from drafts, which citrus does not tolerate very well. The sprouts that have hatched are watered twice a week, and regularly exposed to the sun. When full-fledged leaves appear on the seedlings, the film is removed.

Little trick
You can cover the hatched lemon shoots not only with a bag, but also with an ordinary glass jar. Place the container upside down to create a greenhouse effect. Lemons stretch faster in humid conditions that resemble tropical climates. If citrus fruits were planted in a pot in winter or early spring, the plant is placed next to a radiator or heater, and watered 3 times a week.

Water is used rain or thawed, warmed up to room temperature. The liquid for irrigation should settle for several days so that harmful impurities precipitate.

Fertilizer and transplant
Seedlings are fertilized every two weeks. Top dressing such as "Ideal" or "Zdraven" is suitable for citrus fruits. You can buy special fertilizers created for lemons and other exotic plants, but they must include:

• boron;
• manganese;
• zinc.

Citrus leaves are regularly wiped with a damp cloth to remove dust. The seedling pot should be on a well-lit window so that the plant receives a lot of ultraviolet radiation. But so that the sprouts stretch evenly and do not shed the leaves, the lemon should be turned around its axis by 1.5–2 cm every month. You cannot sharply twist the seedlings, otherwise such unexpected changes may result in the "baldness" of the young tree.

In early spring, the grown citrus is transferred to another, more spacious pot. In the first year, the lemon must "move" 4 times. An adult tree can live in its pot for several years, the main thing is to renew the topsoil from time to time.

How do you know if a lemon needs a new home? If its roots reach the drainage layer and try to crawl out of the pot, the tree becomes cramped. Move the lemon from one container to another carefully so as not to damage the base. A little soil is left on the root system so that the plant quickly adapts to new conditions.

Tree formation
So that the seedling does not turn into a shaggy bush of an incomprehensible shape, you need to take care of it. When the central shoot becomes strong and begins to stretch upward, acquiring twigs and additional leaves, it is cut off. A stump with a height of 20 cm should remain. Further, on the central trunk, branches of the second order are formed, which are pinched when they reach 18-19 cm. Repeat the procedure again until the shoots of the fourth "generation" appear. It is on them that buds, flowers and fruits are formed.

If you do not cut off excess shoots and branches, the crown of the lemon will become thick, and the tree will spend too much energy on feeding the leaves and unnecessary shoots.

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Growing fruiting citrus

When the stem of the seedling is as thick as a pencil, the lemon should be grafted. You need to ask friends or order in a specialized store a two-year-old stalk cut from a fruiting citrus. You will also need:

• well sharpened knife;
• a roll of electrical tape;
• plastic bag;
• garden var.

First, cut off the lemon branch extending from the central trunk, leaving a stump 5–10 cm high. It must be carefully split into two equal parts. Sharpen the bottom of the handle in the shape of a blade and insert into the stump. Coat the open "wounds" with garden pitch, pull tightly with electrical tape so that it covers the stump.

The top of the scion is also cut off, leaving 2 to 4 buds. Treat the cut with garden var, cover the pinned lemon with a bag to create a warm, humid microclimate. In such conditions, wounds heal faster, and the stalk takes root better. Remove the cellophane after the first shoots appear. The grafted lemon will begin to bear fruit in 2-3 years.

For the first time, 2 flowers are left, which must be pollinated with a cotton swab. Collect pollen from one dish and transfer to another. In the future, as many fruits can ripen on the lemon as the ovaries appear.

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Recommendations

1. In late autumn, the temperature in the room where the citrus pot stands should be gradually reduced to 15 degrees so that the plant adapts to the harsh conditions. At the same time, daylight hours are increased, otherwise the tree will begin to shed its leaves.
2. In winter, it is recommended to wrap the lemon tub with insulation or thick blankets to protect the roots from hypothermia.
3. The soil is loosened every 5–6 irrigations to improve air flow into the soil and prevent soil acidification.
4. In late spring and summer, it is helpful to take a mature citrus tree outside, but hide it from direct sunlight.

Lemon, like other plants, needs regular care and attention. The plant loves warmth, moisture and sun in moderation, sometimes it needs feeding and protection from pests. If you do not forget to water the tree, apply fertilizer and keep it away from drafts, it will live a long time and regularly delight with fruits.

Video: how to grow citrus fruits at home