How to grow a lemon tree in a pot

Learn how to grow a lemon tree in a pot. Growing lemon tree is easy if you follow the requirements given below.

Source: Balcony Garden Web

Lemon Tree Varieties

Growing lemon tree from seed is a bad idea because it can take up to 4 years to produce fruits. Instead, ask in local nurseries for dwarf varieties that do well in containers. Varieties that are most suitable for containers are Improved Meyer, Lisbon Lemon, and Dwarf Eureka. However, a lemon tree doesn’t grow too big, which means you can try to grow any variety in the pot.


How to Grow a Lemon Tree in Pot

Choose a pot that is 25% bigger than the root ball of the plant. Clay pot is ideal because unlike plastic it is porous and evaporates water from sides, this helps the lemon tree to grow well as it dislikes being water logged. The quality and type of soil is an important factor too. For growing high yielding plants, use well draining organic potting mix.

*If you’re growing it in small space like a balcony, take care of its spikes, keep the plant in a corner.

Requirements for Growing Lemon Tree in a Pot

Repot your lemon tree in every couple of years or so in the beginning of spring (in tropics winter is the best season). Your pot size should be according to the scale of your tree. Avoid too large or small planters, keep in mind to use a container that is one size bigger than your previously used pot.

*pH level of soil should be around 5.5 to 7 as the plant prefer slightly acidic soil to neutral soil.

Sunlight

All plants in the citrus family love full sun, around 7 to 8 hours of sunlight is essential. If growing indoors use grow light to provide adequate lighting inside.

Watering

The lemon tree requires consistent watering to produce healthy fruits. Giving it too much or too little water can lead to blossom and fruit drop and sometimes plant may die too. Check top 2-inch layer of soil for dryness before watering. On windy and hot days, it requires more frequent watering.

Humidity

If you are growing a lemon tree indoors, it requires certain humidity level to thrive, 50% is ideal. You can maintain humidity by placing it on a pebble tray, misting or using a humidifier.

Care for a Lemon Tree in Pot

If you’re growing lemon tree in pot in USDA Zones 8b to 11 you don’t need to care for cold that much, but below these zones special care is needed in harsh winters. Temperature below 30°F is vulnerable for lemon tree, except ‘Meyer’ lemon variety that can tolerate some cold till 24°F.

Freezing temperatures succumb these plants to death. Optimum temperature is around 50°F to 82°F (10°C to 28°C). To overwinter it keep your potted plant indoors or in a greenhouse when the temperature falls below 35°F (2°C).

Pruning and Pinching Lemon Tree

Pinching encourages bushier growth, pinch growing tip when a branch is about 5 inches long. Pruning of lemon tree is best carried out when new growth starts (February – March). Be careful before pruning it, only prune diseased or dead branches because lemon stores excess food in its leaves and too much pruning can result in poor fruit crop. Also, keep looking for suckers and prune them immediately if found one.

Fertilizer for Growing Lemon Tree in a Pot

All plants of citrus family are heavy feeders and lemon tree too requires fertilizer to produce fruits and lush foliage. Use special purpose citrus fertilizers for every citrus species plant, if unavailable use slow release fertilizer of NPK 12-6-6.

Look for a fertilizer that contains micronutrients, especially iron, manganese, and zinc. To give boost feed to your lemon tree apply a water soluble fertilizer once in a month in growing season.

Pests and Diseases for Lemon Tree in Pot
Pests like mealy bugs, spider mites, aphids and scales occasionally attract toward it. To get rid of them organically read this article.

Harvesting

Harvesting time depends on the type of variety you are growing and your weather conditions. The citrus fruits stop ripening once they are off the tree. To determine if the fruit is ripened, see if the fruit is heavy, soft and yellow.

Additional tips on Growing Lemon Tree in Pot

• Keep your lemon tree in a less windy spot as it dislikes strong winds.
• If moving indoors for winter or outside for summer, acclimatize it to avoid shock.
• You can also do grafting to get two or more variety from the single tree.

Source: Balcony Garden Web