Citrus limon - Lemon Tree
Lemons are generally a subtropical fruit but it will tolerate a little frost. Some varieties are tougher than others as well so check out which is best for your location. It is an excellent tree for small and large gardens providing lemons for many months of the year.
Lemons are one of the productive and useful fruits in the world. World production of lemons has one of the highest volume of any fruit. It is grown commercially in over 100 countries.
In most places in New Zealand it is relatively easy to identify microclimates around the house to suit. Such places as north facing spaces, under the eaves of the house or garage, sheltered areas etc. These warmer places are idea for growing lemons in many places in New Zealand.
They like a sunny situation and in some northern towns are used as a lawn specimen tree.
Experts can not agree on citrus species botanical names because of the length of time they have been in cultivation (5000 years).and the amount of hybridisation that has taken place during that time. This diversity of hybrids has created a range of citrus for many different purposes. Wikipedia has a nice article on this.
The climate in which citrus in grown can affect the colour of the fruit when ripe. A cooler climate will bring out greater colour in the skin.
Temperature effects with wide ranging temperatures between night and day promotes higher sugar content and acid levels. This is the case in New Zealand.
As an evergreen tree Lemons can be grown in the ornamental garden as they provide that lovely green foliage all year round, sweet smelling white flowers and of course masses of lemon yellow fruit.
All lemons and citrus trees are gross feeders requiring additional nutrients. The simplest and best way to do this is with regular applications of compost as a soil mulch. This provides a natural range of nutrients. Others recommend additional citrus fertiliser at regular intervals.
Mulching with good compost is far the best method as Citrus have a mass of surface roots which if not mulched will dry out and die. If that happens the tree will not produce a juicy, usable crop. Apply mulch regularly.
The disease you may find on the fruits is a warty surface which is called Citrus verrucosus. This is controlled by a copper based spray and winter spraying of all seasons spraying oil. If the infection is bad remove the fruit and let the tree start again but make sure you use these two sprays.
In some parts a black sooty mould may appear on leaves and stems. This is caused by scale insects sucking the nutrients out of the tree and excreting a sugary dew. The fungus is growing on the dew. Regular spraying of all seasons spraying oil will smother and kill the scale insects and therefore the dew which the fungus lives on.
Pruning lemon trees is quite simple. The best method is to cut the fruit off with a pair of secateurs or similar and cut a small part of the branchlet off with the lemon. This way keeps the tree under control.
Further pruning can be done after the main crop of lemons has been harvested. Shorten back longer branches to a point where another branch forks off. This can be done all over the tree. Also check its shape and prune off material that is not conducive to the shape you want.
New growth comes quickly in late spring bringing new flowers and setting fruit for picking in early winter. Start picking the fruit when it turns yellow. Depending upon variety grown fruit can be left on for some time especially ‘Meyer’ lemons. Lisbon lemons may need to be harvested and kept in storage.
Harvested fruit continue to mature with the skins becoming thinner and the flesh becoming juicier.
Lemons are one of the productive and useful fruits in the world. World production of lemons has one of the highest volume of any fruit. It is grown commercially in over 100 countries.
In most places in New Zealand it is relatively easy to identify microclimates around the house to suit. Such places as north facing spaces, under the eaves of the house or garage, sheltered areas etc. These warmer places are idea for growing lemons in many places in New Zealand.
They like a sunny situation and in some northern towns are used as a lawn specimen tree.
Experts can not agree on citrus species botanical names because of the length of time they have been in cultivation (5000 years).and the amount of hybridisation that has taken place during that time. This diversity of hybrids has created a range of citrus for many different purposes. Wikipedia has a nice article on this.
The climate in which citrus in grown can affect the colour of the fruit when ripe. A cooler climate will bring out greater colour in the skin.
Temperature effects with wide ranging temperatures between night and day promotes higher sugar content and acid levels. This is the case in New Zealand.
As an evergreen tree Lemons can be grown in the ornamental garden as they provide that lovely green foliage all year round, sweet smelling white flowers and of course masses of lemon yellow fruit.
- The most common Lemon is ‘Meyer’ (it is really a hybrid with a nice sweeter lemon flavour) which is readily available throughout the country and it is somewhat frost resistant.
- Lisbon Lemon, originating from Portugal, is the most traditional lemon but is more frost tender. There are now a number of cultivars available with the newest one being ‘Yen Ben’ which is a special selection and is one of the toughest available on the market. It is a good cropping tree.
- Lemon ‘Lemonade” a hybrid with sweeter juice is also available.
All lemons and citrus trees are gross feeders requiring additional nutrients. The simplest and best way to do this is with regular applications of compost as a soil mulch. This provides a natural range of nutrients. Others recommend additional citrus fertiliser at regular intervals.
Mulching with good compost is far the best method as Citrus have a mass of surface roots which if not mulched will dry out and die. If that happens the tree will not produce a juicy, usable crop. Apply mulch regularly.
The disease you may find on the fruits is a warty surface which is called Citrus verrucosus. This is controlled by a copper based spray and winter spraying of all seasons spraying oil. If the infection is bad remove the fruit and let the tree start again but make sure you use these two sprays.
In some parts a black sooty mould may appear on leaves and stems. This is caused by scale insects sucking the nutrients out of the tree and excreting a sugary dew. The fungus is growing on the dew. Regular spraying of all seasons spraying oil will smother and kill the scale insects and therefore the dew which the fungus lives on.
Pruning lemon trees is quite simple. The best method is to cut the fruit off with a pair of secateurs or similar and cut a small part of the branchlet off with the lemon. This way keeps the tree under control.
Further pruning can be done after the main crop of lemons has been harvested. Shorten back longer branches to a point where another branch forks off. This can be done all over the tree. Also check its shape and prune off material that is not conducive to the shape you want.
New growth comes quickly in late spring bringing new flowers and setting fruit for picking in early winter. Start picking the fruit when it turns yellow. Depending upon variety grown fruit can be left on for some time especially ‘Meyer’ lemons. Lisbon lemons may need to be harvested and kept in storage.
Harvested fruit continue to mature with the skins becoming thinner and the flesh becoming juicier.