It is a fruit that we use to prepare drinks, fight pests and even to lower the pH of irrigation water in case it is too high for our plants. But ... today it's time to learn how to care for a lemon tree, not only to be able to continue having it as an indisputable ally in the care of our garden, but also to keep it healthy for many, many years.
Find out how to do it.
The lemon tree is a citrus whose scientific name is Citrus x lemon. It is native to Asia, and with a height not exceeding 4m we can have it both in the garden and in a pot, since it also tolerates pruning very well. Although it is not demanding in terms of soil type, it is true that in limestone soils it can have chlorosis due to a lack of minerals. This is a problem that is easily avoided by fertilizing it throughout the growing season, that is, from spring to late summer or early autumn if the weather is mild, using organic such as guano, worm castings, or compost.
One of the most important and necessary cultivation tasks for our plants is undoubtedly irrigation. We will have to water the lemon tree some three times a week in summer, especially if it is very hot with temperatures above 30 degrees, and between one and two the rest of the year.
The pests that affect it the most are mealybugs, Red spider y aphid, which begin to appear with the arrival of good weather and can seriously damage the tree. They do not put their lives in danger, but they do cause great damage to the leaves. To avoid the presence of these annoying parasites, preventive treatments should be done as soon as the risk of frost has passed, until the arrival of the autumn period. We will spray it with Neem oil, nettle and / or garlic infusions to maintain the health of our tree.
As we said, when recovering well from pruning, it can be kept in a large pot without problems. Remember to prune it after harvesting the fruits, which is when it shows less activity, removing all dry and / or damaged branches, and also the suckers They usually appear in the lower part of the trunk.
You have doubts? Get in contact us.
My lemon tree has the plague in the image, what is it called and how can I fight it?
Hi samuel.
It is a type of mushroom. You can combat it with a broad-spectrum systemic fungicide.
A greeting.
Hello, I germinated a lemon seed 8 months ago. The sprout transplanted them into a pot outside, it was growing. But this week I see that the tip the end turned purple and is drying out. What chance do I have of reviving it. I cut the ugly part?
I hope you can help me.
Thank you
Hi Sebastian.
If I understood correctly, it germinated indoors and then you passed it outside, right? If so, you are probably getting sunburned. I recommend that you put it in an area where it is not directly exposed to light, and treat it with a systemic fungicide, since when the trees are so young they are very vulnerable to fungal attacks.
Good luck.
My four season lemon tree is 25 years old and a beautiful plant. But it always had some wrinkled leaves, or some lemons were split before ripening. The rest all good. But last year we had drip irrigation for the grass, because under it the grass never came out, and we put the broad-leaved grass called Brazilian. They pruned it by removing the old branches, but from that moment on, the stems and the more woody trunk are put on it each time. it still produces lemons but much smaller than it used to. What can I do to save it?
Hello Luis Nestor.
From what you count, it looks like your lemon tree is having symptoms of overwatering. It is a tree that wants frequent waterings, but compared to grass, its needs are less.
My advice is to remove the grass, leaving a circumference around the trunk of the lemon tree of at least 50cm (from the trunk outwards). Besides, it is advisable to avoid that the drip irrigation pipes pass near it, since from what you tell us you use it to water the lawn, not the tree.
Only with this, you should be seeing improvements already in the next season.
Regards!
Hello,
I have a lemon tree that is about 25 years old, the leaves look blotchy, they don't have a bright green color, what can happen to it? And what do you need?
Hello Milagros.
Have you checked if it has any plagues? If you have nothing, you are probably short of compost. It is advisable to fertilize it from spring to summer with organic fertilizers, such as compost, mulch, guano, etc.
If you have questions, contact us.
Greetings.
Hello, I have a lemon tree that is already 4 years old and is quite large in a pot. I did it from a seed, but it never gave fruit. it has quite large spines. will it be that it will not bear fruit? what can it be?
Hello I have a lemon plant of the 4 seasons, at the beginning of this year it gave 4 lemons, and in general the plant is very well, in spring it gave about 10 or 12 flowers, of which I do not see any fruit growing ... But it is also taking out 2 new branches almost at ground level .. should I cut those shoots?
From already thank you very much
Sonia
Hello Sonia.
Yes, you have to prune the lemon tree for it to bear fruit. Here Other possible causes of why it does not produce fruit are explained.
Greetings.