The citrus x lemon, usually called lemon tree, it is a fruit tree that we all know to a greater or lesser extent. Its popularity is due to its fruit, which is none other than lemon, which is highly appreciated in our cuisine for its acid taste and its fresh and intense aroma.
Although the lemon tree is a perennial tree that can reach up to 4 meters in height, it is possible to plant it in a pot to enjoy its fruits in a much smaller space. Do you dare to plant your own potted lemon tree? Join us in this Green Ecologist article to learn everything you need to know about the Potted lemon tree: how to plant it, care and diseases.
Before learning how to plant a potted lemon tree large or small, depending on the size of the tree, with this guide, we indicate that you need to gather some material and know some information. The first thing you need is, of course, a pot large enough to house one of these trees. It is advisable to use one that is at least 80 cm deep, although in one of about 50 cm you can grow miniature lemon trees. In addition, from Ecologist Verde we remind you that it is important that the pot has drainage holes at the base.
Now that you know how to plant a lemon tree, we are going to see the care that you must take into account so that your plant grows in the best conditions. This is one A basic guide to caring for a potted lemon tree, but we recommend that you consult any questions with the professional of the gardening store where you buy the tree and the materials for its care.
Make sure to give the plant frequent but not excessive watering. It is about maintaining an adequate level of humidity in the soil, so that it never gets too dry or waterlogged. If your lemon tree begins to lose its leaves, it could mean that you are watering it too much. To make sure this doesn't happen, here's a trick to help you: stick a stick into the dirt, then carefully pull it out. If you take it out dry and without stuck soil, it is time to water your lemon tree.
As we have already said, the lemon tree requires many hours of direct natural light. From Ecologist Verde we recommend that you leave this plant in the sun for at least 8 hours. However, if you live in a place where the sun is extremely intense, you can put the lemon tree in semi-shade.
In winter, make sure that the tree is not in an excessively warm area. Try to keep it in a room below 15ºC.
Regarding the fertilizer and nutrients, the lemon tree is a very demanding tree, so do not be afraid to fertilize it whenever you think it is necessary. Enrich the mix right after planting and do it again every 3-4 weeks in the warm months and every 6-8 weeks in the cold. As with many other plants, worm castings are a very safe bet.
Pruning is also very important on this tree, especially to control its growth. If you want to have your tree pot indoors, it is best that you pay special attention to this step. Formation pruning is carried out in spring, after harvest. If you want more information about this step, don't miss this article on Pruning a lemon tree: how and when to do it.
Finally, we inform you that if you want your lemon tree to bear fruit and you have it indoors, it is likely that, due to the lack of insects, you will have to pollinate it yourself manually with a brush. Carrying out this task is not as complicated as it seems, but you do need to know the basic parts of the plant to be able to carry out pollination manually.
As for the diseases of the potted lemon tree, you should know that this type of tree is prone to the same threats as outdoor lemon trees.
The lemon tree pests that are most common are:
If you find them on your lemon tree, carry out a specific treatment as soon as possible to eliminate pests on your tree. If you want to learn How to have a lemon tree without pests, take a look at this other Green Ecologist article. Also, here below you can see a video about the complete care of the potted lemon tree.
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