Sprouting a lemon from the seed. How to grow a lemon from a stone - a lemon tree at home. Description of the tropical tree
As many people often think, it is difficult and troublesome to grow a lemon from a stone on your own at home. All of us, when we pulled out seeds from a lemon, sometimes thought that we could grow these delicious fruits ourselves. In fact, there is nothing complicated about this.
You just need to familiarize yourself with the features of growing a lemon from a seed at home. You should also take into account the recommendations of experienced flower growers for caring for this indoor flower.
The article will discuss how, using a lemon achene, become the owner of a full-fledged tree. Information will be given on how to properly plant and care for this plant indoors.
Suitable lemon variety for growing in an apartment
1. Distinctive features of the Pavlovsky variety - large fruits. They can weigh up to 0.5 kg. Taste - sweet. The lemon tree is very large, it grows up to 200 cm in height. And the leaves are very fragrant. They smell so strong that the air will be saturated with citrus.
2. Meyer is considered a hybrid of grapefruit and lemon. The taste of the fruit is sweet and sour. The tree is small, but the harvest is plentiful. The weight of one fruit can reach up to 150 grams. Blooms in bunches. The plant has a "sleep" period.
3. Another hybrid with lemon is Ponderosa. A characteristic feature of this variety is the bitter taste of fruits, and a large number of seeds. Will delight with its constant flowering. Those people who prefer this species note that this plant is not at all capricious in care.
4. A tree whose height is small, about 100 cm - Chinese lemon. Its characteristic feature is high yield. Fruits early begins to give - for 2 or 3 years. The fruits ripen quickly, on old and young branches. This species does not like the shadow. He painfully reacts to the lack of illumination.
Experienced flower growers put a pot with a lemon tree on the south and southwest windows. Handles heat well. When the plant is in a state of "sleep", the owner of the flower should take care of the coolness and moistening of the leaves.
5. Genoa lemon is considered to be an average height indoor flower. Abundantly fructifies, for 4 or 5 years of life. The fruit has soft pulp. The taste is sour and aromatic. Even the lemon peel is usable. This variety is considered non-capricious in home care. The seedling will begin to bloom in 2 or 3 years.
6. The Yubileiny lemon variety is considered a medium-sized tree. It gives a lot of fruits. A distinctive feature is the presence of a thick skin. Often this variety is chosen if it is to be grown in an apartment or house.
7. Tall tree - Novogruzinsky lemon variety. Grows up to 300cm in height. For 4 or 5 years, the plant bears fruit. There are no seeds. The skin is thin. With good care, up to 200 pieces of lemons can be harvested per year.
When the lemon variety home growing selected in the apartment, you need to learn how to plant the bones in a pot.
Step-by-step instructions for growing a lemon from a stone
Lemons grown using this method will have a high degree of resistance to negative influences. environment(when compared with citrus fruits obtained by cuttings).
How to prepare bones
A couple of pieces of lemons are enough to take the seeds. You just have to see what kind of fruits are in quality. It is necessary that they are ripe, not deformed or damaged.
Thoroughly wash the fruits of lemons under the tap. Cut into 2 halves. Choose the bones that are the largest in size.
For good development roots of the future lemon, before the planting process, the seeds are disinfected using biological stimulants.
On a note! For example, Epin - Extra and Zircon have a good effect. You need to take water (1 glass). Add a biostimulator (1 drop). Place the seeds in the solution. The exposure time is 12 hours.
Experienced flower growers soak lemon seeds overnight so that they can be planted in the morning. Then the seeds will have high immunity. They will not endure the dryness of the air, or the lack of light, so painfully.
Before planting in the ground, it is advisable to soak the lemon seeds overnight in a growth biostimulant solution. What should be the soil for planting
The root of a lemon lacks absorbent hairs. In this regard, it is difficult for the plant to absorb nutrients from the ground. They take a loose soil mixture, which consists of the smallest particles that allow oxygen and moisture to pass through.
For growing a lemon from a stone, neutral soil is ideal, with an acidity of 5.5 to 7 pH.
If the soil is acidic, chalk should be used to neutralize. When alkaline soil, it should be acidified. The solution is made like this: water (1 liter) + ascorbic acid(1 tablet).
The substrate for planting citrus fruits can be bought at one of the flower shops. Some people prefer to make their own soil mix.
The main components that make up the soil mixture:
- Leaf land (2 parts). It is advisable to give preference to soils from places where they grow: linden, hazel, aspen. It is not advised to take land from a place where a walnut or oak grew. This soil contains tannins, in large quantities. These substances will prevent the lemon from developing. Coniferous soil is very acidic.
Sod land is a good alternative leaf ground. She is considered more favorable. Use a layer of soil, the thickness of which is 10 cm, taken from the places of growth of clover or nettle. It is necessary to sift the soil carefully so that there are no large particles in the composition.
- Rotted manure (or horse) - (1 part).
- Coarse sand (1 part).
- Charcoal (preferably birch or alder) - (0.5 parts). This porous component can protect the soil from excessive moisture and acidification.
These components must be connected. Mix thoroughly. Carry out disinfection.
How to plant a plant
Be sure to prepare containers for planting seeds. Preferably not too deep. The first option is to buy in a flower shop, the second is to make pots yourself using improvised materials.
Usually, plastic cups are used, the height of which is from 5 to 6 cm. It must be remembered that drainage holes must be made at the bottom of homemade pots.
The best time for planting lemon seeds in the ground is considered the last days of January - the first days of February.
The landing process is performed as follows:
1. First fall asleep 1.5 cm drainage layer to the bottom of the pot. As a rule, use crushed coal or expanded clay.
2. Pour the soil mixture into the pot. Lightly moisturize it.
3. Make holes. Their depth should be 2 or 3 cm. They put bones in them. It is recommended to use 3-4 seeds. The strongest will be able to germinate.
4. For lemon seeds that are planted in a pot, watering should be minimal. If the bones are immediately heavily poured, the root system will die. The soil is sprayed 2 times a week.
Important! If the depth of the pits in which the lemon seeds were placed is more than 3 cm, then they may rot. If the pits are small, the roots will die from lack of moisture.
In the room where there are pots with lemon seeds for germination, the temperature should be from +22 to +25 degrees, no less. Otherwise, the seeds will not be able to germinate. When the room is cool, cover the pots with cellophane.
Just not tight so that the seeds get oxygen. Pots are placed in a warm place in the apartment. There they should stand until the moment when shoots appear.
Video: planting lemon seeds
1. Several pieces of seeds can be planted in one pot at once. You just have to try so that their number does not exceed 4 pieces. If there is a strong thickening, picking a lemon may be unsuccessful.
2. It is advisable to sow seeds in the last month of winter. At this time, daylight hours have already become longer, and for seedlings it will not be necessary to use additional lighting.
3. There is another little-known way to grow a lemon from a stone at home. It is only important that a person should have firmness of movements, and good eyesight.
- take sharp knife to have a thin blade. Remove the hard shell that protects the bone. This must be done very carefully. The main thing is that the inside of the seed remains intact.
- Then the part of the seed that is inside is placed in a wet cloth (2-3 layers are made). Top cover plastic bag. Put in a warm and well-lit place.
- After 5-7 days, the root system and cotyledons will begin to form. Sprouted lemon grain in this form should be planted in the soil mixture.
Features of caring for a lemon tree in an apartment
In order for a plant to bear fruit and be fragrant, it needs to create everything the necessary conditions.
The owner of the tree should take care of:
Lighting
The pot is placed in the place of the apartment, which is well lit. Important! It is not desirable that direct sunlight falls on the lemon. Otherwise, burns will appear on the leaves.
If daylight hours are short, you need to take care of additional lighting. From 3 to 4 times during the day, it is necessary to turn on fluorescent lamps.
Air humidity
Like other exotic crops, the lemon tree loves moisture. It will say "thank you" to its owner for bathing him in the shower, washing the leaves. Next to the pot, it is advisable to put containers in which there will be water.
How to water a lemon at home in a pot
How often to water a lemon? It will depend on what time of year, temperature and humidity in the room.
In the spring and summer, as well as during the period of active growth, the plant will need a large amount of moisture. It will be necessary to water the lemon 1 or 2 times a week. How often to water the plant during the spring and summer months will depend on the humidity and temperature in the room.
Usually, water abundantly. After all, if you pour a little water, it is difficult to determine how moist the soil near the roots is.
In the autumn-winter period, it is necessary to reduce the number of waterings. Water the lemon two or three times a month. This time is the period of "sleep". Do not over-moisten the soil. Water for irrigation should have a temperature of +30 to +30 degrees.
Watering rules
What is the best way to water indoor lemons? This is done by using a watering can so that it has a narrow long spout. What will be the volume of the watering can - everyone decides for himself.
Carefully watered in such a way that the earth near the trunk was not washed away, and the roots were not exposed. The watering can should be tilted closer to the soil. And water, slowly, is poured along the perimeter of the soil surface.
Water is poured until moisture appears in the pan. If this method of irrigation is used, the entire clod of earth will be 100% moistened. Then the root system will receive moisture. Half an hour after watering, excess moisture is poured out of the pan.
On a note! Indoor lemons should be provided with proper, regular, timely watering. This is very important for them. If the plants do not get the full amount of moisture, they will not grow well. And when there is too much moisture in the soil, the roots will rot.
How lemons are sprayed
If you regularly spray lemons, this will make it possible to avoid the attack of spider mites. Although a lemon grows in a room, it is considered a subtropical crop that reacts sharply to the humidity in the room.
If the humidity is low, very often indoor lemons do not grow well, for this reason. That's why it's important to spray lemons daily using soft water. Leaves and air must be sprayed. One spray per day will suffice.
This procedure does not replace watering, but serves only as an addition. Leaves and stems are cleaned of dust. To prevent the appearance of limescale on the surface of the leaves, soft water is used. When limescale appears, it prevents the leaves from breathing normally, and the tree itself looks ugly. It is difficult to get rid of this plaque.
It is advisable to carry out the procedure for spraying homemade lemon in a pot in morning time. This will allow the plant to dry out during the day. Do not spray under scorching sunlight, as burns may appear on the leaves.
What are the "pros" of regular spraying? Indoor lemons will grow and develop better. This - great way protection against pests that like dry air. For example, spider mites can attack the tree.
crown formation
To make the tree look attractive, shaping is used. Only this procedure should be applied already in the first months. It is impossible to allow the seedling, developing, to look like a stick. The top is plucked out with tweezers.
The main thing is that branching begins on the sides. Leave 2 or 3 leaves on the branches, and get rid of the upper part.
In order for the crown to form evenly, the pot with the tree, after a certain time, must be rotated, somewhere by 10 degrees. Not more. If the branches grow inward, or vertically, they are discarded.
When the lemon bloomed in the first year, it is necessary to cut off all the buds. There is a category of flower growers who do not adhere to this rule. As a result, the seedling will spend all its vitality on flowering. It will become weak and die.
Important! It is necessary that the lemon bloom when 1 flower had 15 leaves or more.
How to transplant indoor lemon
It is necessary to select the strongest sprouts. They are transplanted into a container, the size of which is 5 cm larger than the pot where the bones were planted. How do you know if a seedling is viable or not?
To determine the strongest seedlings, the following criteria are used:
- We need to inspect the crown. It is important that it has a dense structure. This criterion corresponds to the branches, in which the distance between the kidneys is minimal;
- Do not give preference to a seedling that has a lot of needles;
- A good branch will have strong leaves. They won't fall over in light winds. If there are a lot of leaves, that's good.
On a note! If you see that the seedlings have thin twigs and few leaves, feel free to remove them!
With the process of transplanting a lemon grown from a seed, you should not delay the time. Otherwise, the root branching process will begin.
They will twist among themselves. Do not choose a large pot. According to some flower growers, it is better to immediately take a large container so as not to replant later. So it is wrong to argue.
The development of the lemon root system takes place in the upper layers of the soil. Roots grow horizontally. When a lemon grows in a very big pot, the root system will begin to touch the walls of the pot, repeating their contour.
And the layers of soil that are in the depths will undergo acidification, as they will be intact. As a result, the lemon can get sick. If the owner does not help the plant, then it will die.
Either in February or June, it is best to deal with the transplant process. The process of transplanting a homemade lemon is performed as follows:
- A 2-centimeter drainage layer is poured into the bottom of the pot. The earth is covered from above, leaving 1 sam between the edge of the pot and the surface of the soil.
- Make a hole in the middle. The plant is placed there, and covered with earth. It is necessary to transplant a lemon along with a clod of earth.
- By tapping on the pot, the soil is lightly rammed. From above, the soil does not need to be pressed down.
A homemade lemon planted in a pot only needs to be transplanted twice in the first year. After that, the time between transplants is increased. When a lemon tree is 3 years old, it needs to be transplanted.
After that, indoor lemon transplantation should be carried out once a year. After 3 years, as a rule, adult specimens are transplanted. To do this, choose a pot, the diameter of which is 5 or 6 cm larger than the previous one.
substrate for transplant
For subsequent transplants, the composition of the soil will be different. Adult plants will need other components. It's about about loam, more sand, silt.
- If the lemon is 2 years old
Before the process of planting lemons in the ground, you should first stock up on the following components:
- leaf humus(you need to take 2 shares);
- manure humus (4 shares)
- peat (2 shares);
- river sand (1 share).
- If the lemon is 4 to 8 years old
When such specimens are transplanted, a substrate is made consisting of:
- one part of river sand;
- four parts of meadow land;
- two parts of leafy land;
- two parts of silt (from a river or from a lake).
- If the age of the home lemon tree is 9 years or more
For such lemons take:
- meadow land (6 shares);
- leaf ground (2 shares);
- peat (2 shares);
- silt (4 shares);
- river sand (1 share);
- wood ash(1/2 share).
Fertilizers for home grown lemon
Almost without interruption, the lemon grows and will need regular feeding. Only the type of fertilizer will depend on what phase of the development of the lemon at a given time.
During the period of growth
The first top dressing should be made in March. Often, nitrogen-based complexes are used. A lemon must be strong in order to start growing actively.
Then citrus fruits are fed every 2 weeks, until flowering occurs. It is desirable that complex fertilizers be used, with a large number of trace elements. It is necessary to alternate diluted organic matter with mineral compositions.
When the lemon blossoms
In order for the lemon tree to bloom, they stop applying nitrogen fertilizers. This is due to the fact that nitrogen activates the growth of foliage, and this negatively affects fruiting. During this period, it is necessary to make top dressing with phosphorus and potassium.
Important! It will be necessary to feed fertilizers based on nitrogen only when the lemon fruits in volume reach 150 mm.
During fruiting
The lemon tree, at this time, must be provided with a complete complex containing micro and macro elements. It is necessary, in turn, to feed the plant with organic tinctures and chemical solutions.
Lemon needs phosphorus, which is responsible for the growth of fruits and their development. If the mineral is not enough, the leaves will begin to turn brown, dry, fall off. And the fruits will have a thick skin, and a deformed shape.
When the plant is dormant
The duration of this stage is from October to February. In order to prepare the plant for the “sleep” phase, nitrogen fertilization is stopped, and phosphorus and potassium are added in greater amounts.
When the lemon tree will exist during the winter at a temperature of +7 to +12 degrees, without artificial lighting, then there is no need for top dressing. The plant will "sleep".
When the indoor temperature is in the range from +19 to +21, the owner of the lemon will need to feed, otherwise the tree will experience hunger.
It is only necessary to reduce the dose by 3 times. Fertilizer is applied, from ready-made complexes, once every 2 months. The method is used both basal and foliar.
On a note! For making the main dressings, the optimal time is spring and summer. It was at this time that the homemade lemon tree is actively growing. If the lemon is "sleeping", do not fertilize.
Photo: How room lemon blooms Top dressing lemon at different times of the year
If the soil is too dry, and at this time the compositions of a liquid consistency will be introduced, the roots of the plant may get burned. To increase immunity, it is advisable to treat the plant using a weak manganese solution.
As soon as the lemon comes out of dormancy (this will be in the spring), it must be properly nourished with nitrogen-based compounds.
Some use urea.
- For 1000 g of water, take 1 tsp. urea. The tree is watered until the solution penetrates the soil substrate and begins to flow into the pan.
IN spring period use ferrous oxide to feed the lemon. You have to mix it with soil.
Note! Ferrous oxide and iron oxide are not the same thing! Rust (iron oxide) the lemon tree cannot stand.
IN summer time lemon is actively growing, blooming profusely. So, it must be fed with complex compounds. The tree needs phosphorus. Considering the use case folk methods, you can make a decoction of fish or a fresh solution of fish powder.
With the onset of autumn, the lemon tree is actively preparing to go into a state of "sleep". Experienced flower growers water it with tea.
It is only important that it be strong. Water three times (no more) every week. If the temperature in the room is low, the tree will "sleep". No fertilizer should be applied.
Table: Seasonal top dressing of lemon
| When | How | Number of grams per 1000 ml of water |
| February | Mullein infusion | 150 |
| Superphosphate | 10 | |
| Mullein infusion | 150 | |
| March | According to the scheme | |
| bird droppings solution | 100 | |
| April | mineral complex | According to the scheme |
| Urea | 2 | |
| Superphosphate | 6 | |
| mineral complex | According to the scheme | |
| May | Urea | 1,6 |
| potassium sulfate | 4 | |
| Phosphate | 6 | |
| June | Bred mullein | 100 |
| Complex mineral fertilizer | According to the scheme | |
| Urea | 1,6 | |
| July | Infusion of slurry | 100 |
| mineral complex | According to the scheme | |
| Urea | 1,6 | |
| August | Manganese | 0.3 (powder) |
| Mineral composition | According to the scheme | |
| September | Potassium sulfate | 4 |
| Phosphate | 6 | |
| October | According to the scheme |
|
| November | ||
| December | ||
| January |
Will an indoor lemon tree bear fruit?
Most people find it impractical to grow indoors lemon Tree. The argument is this: you will have to spend time and energy, and the fruits will be only for 5, 7 or even 15 years of cultivation. And the size of the lemon fruit will not be large.
In order not to wait for 10 years, when house tree will bear fruit, you need to graft it. Do this in 2 ways, in the spring or summer months.
- Split grafting is the most common grafting method.
Take a stalk of a lemon that bears fruit. It is necessary to cut the branch, and split the trunk. Sharpen the "wedge" on the handle of the fruiting plant. This "wedge" should be inserted into the split made in the trunk.
The graft is then tied up using electrical tape. Leave from 2 or 4 buds on a lemon stalk that bears fruit. The rest are disposed of by cutting them off. Cover the vaccine with cellophane. When the vaccine has grown together, the shelter is removed.
- Grafting by budding - it is necessary to cut the branches of a young lemon tree so that a 10-centimeter-high "stump" remains.
Take a branch of a lemon that can bear fruit. The branch under each leaf will have a “sleeping bud”. A cut is made under such a kidney. The leaf is cut off, but its petiole must be left.
At the seedling, on the “stump”, the bark is cut off, and the petiole is inserted there so that the cut is at the bottom. The place where the vaccination was made is tied with electrical tape.
The petiole is an indicator. If it fell off after 2 or 3 days, then the vaccination was a success. And if the leaf plate is dry, then the vaccination was unsuccessful, and the procedure must be repeated.
Interesting fact. A lemon that has been grown from a seed adapts much faster to room conditions. It is not as capricious as a cutting and grafted seedling.
Diseases and pests of indoor lemon
| Name of the disease/pest | signs | Causes | Treatment |
| Gomoz | Brown spots on the trunk and branches, then the bark dies off. A golden sticky liquid exudes from the cracks, which hardens in air. | Cortical injury. Soil overflow, lack of potassium and phosphorus, excess nitrogen | Cut off all affected areas and branches, treat wounds with a 3% solution of copper sulfate, cover with garden pitch |
| root rot | Dropping leaves. No visual damage is visible. You need to get the plant and inspect the roots | Remove diseased roots, plant in fresh soil. Put in the sun, stop watering for a week, just wipe the leaves with a damp sponge | |
| sooty fungus | Stems and leaves darken, black spots appear | The result of the appearance of a pest is a scale insect. It secretes a sugary liquid on which a black fungus settles. | soap solution(per liter of water 2 tbsp. liquid soap), wipe the whole plant. Rinse after an hour. Repeat after 2 days. Garlic decoction, insecticide solution. Systematic washing of foliage with clean cold water |
| Scab | Putrefactive spots on young foliage, branches. The plant sheds fruit | Fungus | Pruning of all affected parts. Spraying the crown with 1% Bordeaux liquid |
| Anthracnose | Yellowing, falling leaves, drying branches. Red spots on fruit | Fungus | Removing dead branches. Three times spraying the tree with "Fitosporin" or a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture |
| Tristeza | Leaves fall, bark dies | The virus infects weak lemons that are not cared for | There is no cure, the plant dies |
| Leaf mosaic | Dark or light stripes on the leaves. Then their deformation, stopping the development of lemon | There is no cure. Can be reduced by regular feeding | |
| Cancer of citrus | brown spots various shapes on leaves and fruits. The fruits are bent, the tree is dying | It is impossible to cure. For prevention: spring processing liquid copper fungicide | |
| Aphid root and ordinary | Leaf drying, curling | Pest | Removal of affected leaves. Spraying with a decoction of garlic peel, insecticides. Complex feeding. Transplanting to new soil |
| spider mite | Leaf twisting, cobweb | Dry indoor air | Solution of 1% boric acid. Requires up to 5 sprays |
| Melseco | The shoots dry out, the foliage falls off starting from the ends of the branches. Branch break painted red | Lack of lighting. In winter, there was not enough light, the plant was not illuminated | There is no cure, only observation. If no improvement is seen, the plant is destroyed. |
How lemon blossoms on the windowsill and about picking fruits
Gotta pay attention home flower during the period when it blooms. All flowers are not left on a lemon tree:
- When the first flowering - cut off 50% of the flowers. Leave 4 fruits, no more, from the formed ovaries.
- During the second flowering period, only 6 pieces of future lemons are left.
- In the third flowering - only 8 ovaries are left on the branches.
Why should the flowering of homemade lemon be regulated? This is done so that the tree grows strong and healthy, because extra inflorescences actively take it vitality. For 1 ovary, it is necessary that there are at least 10 developed leaves of a lemon tree.
Pollination is not required for flowers. And the flowering period of lemon lasts about 60 days. A tree can produce fruits about 4 times during the year. It all depends on which variety is grown at home.
From 6 to 8 weeks, it will take time for the fruits on the lemon to begin to develop and ripen. When the fruit is 100% ripe, the peel acquires a bright golden hue.
This is a signal to the owner of the lemon tree that it is time to harvest. If the crop is not harvested in a timely manner, the lemon skin will become hard and the slices will dry out. And it will affect the acidity in a negative way.
Reading: 5 minutes
If you have ever seen a lemon tree in bloom, you will understand why many gardeners want to have such a miracle at home. Their lush, dark green, oval leaves have a glossy surface that shines beautifully in sunlight. And their white flowers emit a pleasant citrus scent and fill the whole room with it. In addition, lemons grow on them)
In hot sunny regions, lemons grow on outdoors all year round, but no one forbids growing them at home, regardless of our harsh climate.
small tree with big fruit
And although the stalk healthy tree a reliable option for a quick harvest, for many such cuttings are not available. But a lemon with its seeds - you can find it! And despite the fact that a lemon grown in this way will begin to bear fruit no earlier than in 5-10 years, there is an additional pleasure in this - to grow a tree from a small seed. Watching the lemons grow is an interesting and exciting experience!
Below is a step by step guide for growing a lemon from a small seed.
You will need
How to germinate lemon seeds
- Keep the soil moist;
- Try growing 3-5 seedlings in one pot. This will prevent the soil from getting too wet. When the sprouts are large enough, move them to separate pots.
- It may take several months before the sprouts germinate and become like a real lemon tree.
- Sometimes, several sprouts grow from one seed. If this is your case: wait until each sprout has about 4 leaves, then carefully separate them and transplant them into separate pots.
Show a little patience, invest your work, your love and warmth, and a small bone will turn into a tree that will delight you. beautiful flowers and fruits!
Tea for a Russian person is not only a way to quench their thirst, but also a good occasion to gather the whole family at the table and discuss family problems or plans, remember pleasant moments from vacation or travel. Tea with lemon inspires a person and entire families to make new discoveries in life and brings them together. soul mates. You can sprout the seed of that very lemon and grow a whole lemon tree on your windowsill, especially since it is not difficult at all.
Can you grow at home?
The lemon tree is not only possible, but also necessary to grow indoors. This is not only a large indoor plant with rich green glossy leaves, but also a fruit-bearer that will give its owner useful and fragrant fruits.
Such a plant looks very presentable in the house, it can decorate the interior, made in any style and color. Growing a lemon in an apartment is not only a decorative issue, but also an ecological one. The lemon tree has high absorbent properties, so it can rid the room of excess moisture and odors. This plant perfectly processes carbon dioxide and turns it into Fresh air which can partly replace ventilation. A large number of essential oils contained in lemon leaves, will be an excellent repeller of pests such as mosquitoes, flies, centipedes, bedbugs and even cockroaches.
Growing a lemon at home is quite simple.
There are three known ways to grow lemons in a pot.
- cuttings. This method is distinguished by the fastest start of flowering and fruiting of a lemon tree.
- Grafting. This method is mainly used by gardeners for further planting plants in a greenhouse. This method is the most time-consuming, because you need to be able to choose the right grafted process and correctly carry out the grafting procedure. In addition, this is a huge stress for trees, so efforts will be required to carry out proper rehabilitation.
- Seeds. Planting a lemon with seeds is a very simple way to propagate a lemon, suitable even for people who are ignorant of the art of gardening. A tree grown from a stone does not need special care, but it begins to bear fruit quite late.
Despite the chosen method of planting a lemon, it grows approximately the same, requires minimal care, and the pleasure of the process will exceed all expectations.
Suitable varieties
Despite the fact that the lemon is a deciduous plant, in nature it grows as an evergreen. At home, the lemon tree will also delight the owner with a riot of greenery throughout the year. However, you should not forget that this plant is wild, because wild plants are not able to survive in cramped apartment conditions. Thanks to centuries of breeding experience, today there are a number of unpretentious varieties that can not only take root in growing conditions in a pot, but also give an excellent fragrant harvest. In order to grow a beautiful, high-quality lemon tree, you should choose one of the following varieties.
- "Chinese dwarf". In the circles of experienced gardeners, this variety is known under the name "Mayer". It is bred by breeders by crossing the seed of an orange and a lemon. This plant is ideal for growing in cramped conditions of apartments with small rooms And low ceilings, because its size does not exceed 70 centimeters. Plants of this variety bear fruit once or twice a year. Up to 20 lemons can be harvested per harvest. The fruits of this variety are more rounded, their color is slightly darker than ordinary lemons, closer to an orange tint. Fruit size is slightly smaller size regular lemons. The pulp of citruses is slightly sweeter than usual, the crust is thin with small pores. The aroma of lemons is bright, traditional. The fruits of such a tree are considered to be dessert. However, it is worth remembering that this plant is a little more whimsical than its relatives, so in the autumn-winter period it is important to organize additional ultraviolet lighting and top dressing with highly active vitamin complexes for citrus.
- "Buddha's Hand" This variety is often referred to as "Corsican", since this particular island is considered to be its homeland. A tree of this variety reaches a height of 1.5 meters, and sometimes more. At home, such a plant bears fruit all year round, but it is possible to collect no more than 10 lemons from it per year. The fruits of the "Buddha Hand" variety grow very large, bright yellow with a thick rind and a thick white layer. The pulp is coarse-grained, juicy, the membranes are hard. The taste and aroma of lemons of this variety are mild, most often such fruits are used for the preparation of candied fruits, sauces, as a seasoning for other dishes. This variety is excellent for making fresh juices and lemonades, as it is very juicy and not too acidic.
- "Pavlovsky". Bred by Russian breeders, taking into account the peculiarities of the local climate. An adult tree reaches a height of 1.5 meters, fruiting lasts all year round. In one year, you can collect up to 15 lemons. The tree begins to bear fruit approximately three years after planting or germination. This is the most unpretentious variety lemon, it perfectly tolerates both excess and insufficient illumination, does not require frequent watering, easily tolerates the autumn-winter period. For the health of such a tree, it is enough to feed with vitamins once a year and transplant no more than once every two years. The fruits of this variety are not too large, with a thin, finely porous skin of a light yellow color. The pulp of the fruit is very juicy and very fragrant, ideal for making tea and fresh juices.
- Maikopsky. This variety is excellent for sprouting in the southern regions of Russia. This is a particularly heat-loving variety, so a lemon tree of this variety can be safely taken outside in the summer. sunbathing, fresh air and rain watering have a beneficial effect on the condition of the tree. The plant begins to bear fruit on average three years after planting, however, in the southern regions, where most of the year is sunny, the first harvest can be obtained in a year and a half. The fruits of this variety are not too large, with a loose light yellow skin and a sharp "nose". The flesh is dryish, but quite fragrant.
Will the plant bear fruit?
Everyone who decides to grow a lemon at home, involuntarily thinks about whether a plant grown in an apartment will bear fruit. The answer to this question cannot be unambiguous, but it will be rather positive than negative. Fruiting almost always occurs, but in rare cases this may not happen.
As a rule, plants grown in improperly selected soil are incapable of flowering.
Most often, such a plant stops developing, reaching a height of 40-50 centimeters. Such a plant can live in this state from 2 to 6 years, it will be a pretty houseplant, but nothing more.
Under normal conditions, fruiting can occur 1-5 years after planting, depending on the variety and method of planting. It is possible to accelerate the appearance of the first harvest. For this, a procedure was invented, known among gardeners under the name "ringing" or "ringing". The essence of the procedure is to redirect the flow of liquids and nutrients inside the tree. To do this, it is necessary to wind a piece of copper wire on the tree trunk above 2-3 lower branches. The wire should encircle the tree in one ring and slightly squeeze its bark, but not too stylishly so as not to damage the external and internal tissues of the plant. This will slightly slow down the flow of tree sap into the branches located above the ring and, accordingly, increase the supply of liquids and nutrients to the branches below the ring. This will lead to the first budding and flowering. After six months, the ring must be removed, as it will begin to interfere healthy growth tree. The first banding can be carried out as early as a year after planting the tree. You should not abuse this method, because after the first flowering the tree will continue to bloom on its own.
How to plant?
Growing a tree from a lemon seed is quite simple, absolutely anyone can handle it. You just need to remember a simple sequence of actions and a few useful tips.
In order to be able to germinate a lemon seed, you need to choose the right fruit: the lemon must be even, with a uniform color, without ruts and dents. All these signs indicate that the fruit is mature and intact, which means that the planting material is normal. Lemon seeds must be whole and freshly removed from the fruit. It is better to choose several seeds from different lemons in order to select the most robust and strong seedlings.
Selected seeds must be folded into a small container and pour lightly warm water leave them like this overnight. During this time, a large amount of oils and starch will stand out from the bones, the water may become like mucus. The bones are softened upper layer peel off. This thin, transparent cover can be carefully removed - it makes it difficult for the sprout to germinate.
It is important not to damage the integrity of the inside of the seed, so you need to proceed very carefully. Unpeeled lemon seeds can sprout for more than six months, peeled - twice as fast.
To germinate seedlings, you need to use shallow pots, you can give preference to boxes divided into sections. It is important to organize drainage holes in the pot. In addition, it is advisable to purchase a drainage mixture. The soil must be selected marked "for citrus" or "for indoor flowers." You should not purchase soil intended for growing seedlings - for citrus plants it has too much acidity. Ordinary soil from the garden is also not very suitable for sprouting citrus fruits. The soil can be fertilized with peat, but this is not necessary, because often ready-made mixtures are already fertilized. It is necessary to pour a layer of soil into the prepared trays approximately 1/3 of the height of the pot, then you need to pour the drainage mixture in a layer of 1-2 centimeters, and again a layer of soil on top.
Lemon seeds should not be buried deeper than 1.5 centimeters. The distance between them should be at least 5 centimeters in all directions. The pot with seeds should be wrapped in a plastic bag and left in a warm room until the first sprouts appear. Occasionally, you can spray the soil a little, but you should not water it abundantly - the seeds can rot.
After the first sprouts appear, they need to be covered with jars. Pots with seedlings should be placed in a well-lit place, for example, on a windowsill. During this period it is very important proper care for seedlings: it must be sprinkled lightly with water, the jars must be removed for 1-2 hours a day in order for the cuttings to harden, and then cover them again. When the first leaves appear on the sprouts, they need to be transplanted into small, but separate pots. Planting in large pots is acceptable when the trees reach 15-20 centimeters in height.
Care
At first glance, the lemon tree is unpretentious plant that does not require special care. In fact, it is so, but there are several factors that make this plant a real home tyrant. So, for example, this plant cannot stand even the slightest movement around the room. Any move will lead to inevitable stress, leaf drop and a long, protracted recovery, so it is critical to choose a lemon habitat in the house once and for all.
Here's what you should pay close attention to when choosing a place for a pot.
- Proper lighting. The lemon tree is very whimsical about the right combination of light and shadow: it loves bright rooms very much, but you should avoid direct rays on the leaves. With too much light, citrus fruits begin to grow too actively, while all the juices are wasted on building branches. In such conditions, you can get a huge tree that will never begin to bear fruit. Lemons tolerate penumbra well, but this tree does not like darkness. He needs enough light for active photosynthesis. The best place for a lemon tree in the house is a room with large windows facing east or west.
- Ideal temperature. The lemon tree is also whimsical to the temperature regime. Perfect option for him, it is the same temperature at any time of the year. So, for example, a lemon will feel great if both in summer and in winter time the daytime temperature will be 26 degrees, and the night temperature will be 20 degrees. However, in the conditions of the Russian climate, this is sometimes impossible. To create more comfortable conditions for the tree, you need to choose a place away from radiators, which can cause overheating. It is also worth avoiding places with drafts. It is undesirable to have a lemon near or opposite entrance doors so as not to catch a cold plant.
It is important to remember that moving a lemon during its flowering is unacceptable - this will inevitably lead to the fall of flowers and the death of the crop.
In addition to choosing a location for the pot, it is worth remembering a few more important factors that can affect the well-being of a lemon tree.
Watering
The root system of a lemon does not like watering too much. To create more comfortable conditions, you can fill the pot tray with gravel, place the pot on top and periodically add water to the tray. From the gravel, moisture will seep into the soil through the drainage holes in the pot. This will minimize wetting of the root system of the plant. In hot summer days for a lemon, two not too plentiful waterings per week are enough, in the winter period, you can limit yourself to one watering per week. At the same time, lemon leaves and branches love moisture, so it is very important to organize frequent spraying of greens from a spray bottle. This procedure should be carried out as often as possible, if possible daily. But do not be too zealous with spraying - streams should not flow from the leaves; rather, it should resemble abundant dew.
Regular transplant
It is very important to replant the lemon tree in a timely manner, as it depletes the soil very much. In the early stages, transplantation should be done once a year in the spring. Further, it will be optimal to replant the tree once every two years.
It is worth transplanting a tree only into specialized soil, since it is most saturated with useful substances, which will allow the tree to live the period between transplants in comfortable conditions.
In the process of transplanting, it is important to properly care for the root system of the tree. It needs to be pruned so that it can be renewed over the next two years before transplanting. If not update like this root system, premature aging of the tree will occur, which will lead to its imminent death.
top dressing
A very important role in maintaining the well-being of the lemon tree is played by high-quality and timely feeding. In garden centers, you can easily choose high-quality vitamin preparations for citrus fruits.
The main rule of lemon fertilizer is to feed the tree in a timely manner.
In the summer, the need and effectiveness of complementary foods increases, so it is worth vaccinating with liquid vitamins once a week. In the remaining months, the number of dressings should be reduced to once a month.
There are a number of folk remedies that can be a worthy replacement for store-bought drugs: nettle infusion, egg shell infusion, or a weak solution of cow or bird droppings.
Cupping
pruning house tree- this is very important question, since far from every house will fit a full-sized tree with a large spreading crown.
In addition, the following fact has long been generally recognized: the more magnificent the crown of citrus fruits, the less harvest they will give.
In this regard, you should not let the tree grow too much. lush crown. Prune the lemon tree with care, adhering to correct proportions and periodicity - this will not harm the tree, but, on the contrary, improve its condition. The first pinching is carried out when the sprout of the future tree has reached a height of 20 centimeters, each subsequent - every 20 centimeters of plant growth.
To form a crown correct form you need to pinch and branches. It is necessary to begin to form a crown from the first tier of branches, each subsequent tier should be several centimeters shorter than the previous one.
Diseases and pests
It is not too difficult to germinate a lemon from a stone, but not all trees are able to survive to the first fruits. Indoor lemons are very sickly, they have no immunity to almost any known plant diseases. It is very important to follow all the above rules for caring for a lemon tree so as not to create an environment conducive to the development of diseases.
Pest problems are fairly easy to avoid. This will require simple measures: in the hot season, the plant needs to shower once a week. To do this, you need to pollinate the leaves with water. room temperature from a sprayer. In the cool season, you need to spray the leaves with slightly warm water once a month.
One of the most common growing problems indoor lemons- This is yellowing and falling leaves. As a rule, this is not a symptom of a disease, but rather a sign of improper plant care.
Most often, the leaves turn yellow for the following reasons:
- too much heat plant content (over 28-32 degrees);
- too strong draft at the location of the pot;
- insufficient or excessive watering;
- watering the plant with too cold water;
- soil depletion, overdue transplant time;
- poor lighting of the plant;
- too high acidity of the soil.
In order to correct the situation, it is enough to identify and eliminate the cause: move the plant to another place, change the irrigation regime or transplant it into a new soil.
There are a number of diseases specific to citrus trees grown at home. Often the success of treatment depends on the detection of the disease in the early stages of its development. Among the most common citrus diseases, there are several incurable ones that can destroy the plant in a few weeks.
Chlorosis
The peculiarity of this disease lies in the fact that the plant almost completely stops the production of chlorophyll, in connection with this, the process of photosynthesis stops. At the initial stages of the development of the disease, the leaves of the plant begin to lighten and gradually lose color, then become thinner and fall off. On dark green glossy lemon leaves, it is difficult not to notice the signs of this disease, they become visible immediately after infection of the plant. Chlorosis can be infectious or hereditary and only affects young plants. In the case of lemon trees, only sprouts, which less than a year. Timely feeding, monitoring and avoiding pest problems will help to avoid infection with this disease. In case of infection, microfertilizers can be injected into the trunks, branches and roots of a diseased plant, but this method of treatment does not always help - it all depends on the plant's own immunity.
root rot
More often root rot develops due to excessive watering of the plant in the cold season. Constantly wet soil leads to the fact that the root of the plant begins to rot. Outwardly, this disease is difficult to detect. Falling leaves can be considered a clear sign of lemon root rot. If lemon leaves fall without visible reasons, you need to remove the plant from the pot, carefully shake the soil from its roots, trying to cause as little damage to it as possible. The affected areas of the rhizome must be cut off, and the plant with a healthy root should be transplanted into a new, dry soil. Next, you should minimize watering, and in order to compensate for the lack of water, you need to regularly wipe the leaves of the plant with a clean, damp washcloth.
late blight
Known in Russia fungal disease. The treatment regimen for citrus late blight is exactly the same as for any garden plant. The areas affected by the disease must be treated with copper sulphate. For complete healing of the plant, antibiotic treatment is necessary. After curing late blight, it is necessary to create unfavorable conditions for the development of fungal infections: rare and not too abundant watering, a dry, well-ventilated room will help to avoid relapse.
Gommoz
This is an infection of the root and trunk of the tree. The first signs of the disease are the appearance of cracks at the base of the tree trunk. After some time, a dark liquid begins to seep through the cracks, then the tree withers, and it becomes impossible to save it. Upon detection of the first signs of the disease, you must immediately dig up the plant, remove all affected roots and cut off the affected bark, treat all exposed areas with copper sulphate or a highly concentrated solution of manganese and transplant the tree into a new pot with fresh soil.
Tristeza
It is an incurable viral infection. On the territory of Russia it is quite rare, so infection with it is almost impossible. However, if for inexplicable reasons a homemade lemon has begun to peel and fall off the bark, it is better to get rid of this plant immediately, because tristeza is a very contagious disease that quickly spreads to all houseplants.
Leaf mosaic
This is an infection that cannot be cured. However, with timely detection of a problem, you can stop its development, thereby saving the tree from death. The first signs of leaf mosaic disease are the appearance of a characteristic “marble” pattern on the leaves. In the case of further development of the disease, these spots begin to grow along with the tissues of the leaves, the leaves bend and twist. Further, the disease spreads to the branches and trunk. Affected tissues also swell and lead to cracking of the trunk. At this stage, it is impossible to save the plant. When the first symptoms of the disease are detected, it is important to remove all affected leaves. You can even do something radical - remove the entire diseased branch. All sections must be treated with a weak solution of manganese, it is desirable to pollinate the healthy part of the tree with the same solution from the sprayer. It is desirable to isolate the infected plant from healthy flowers for 1-2 months.
Cancer of citrus
This bacterial disease, which develops when it hits healthy plant saprophytic microbes. Surprisingly, only plants that grow outside their historical homeland are susceptible to this disease. Plants in China and India have never suffered from this disease. Absolutely all parts of the tree are exposed to this disease: from the root to the fruit. Light watery spots appear on the infected surfaces of the tree, which gradually darken and turn into necrotic foci. A favorable environment for the citrus cancer bacterium is too moist soil at high average daily temperature air.
Cancer-causing bacteria have a remarkable feature - they fluoresce at night. If the plant suddenly began to glow at night, this is the first sign of citrus cancer. Unfortunately, this disease is not treatable, and when faced with it, it is important to save other plants - for this you need to destroy the diseased and treat all tools and surfaces around the source of infection with disinfectants.
How to grow a lemon from seeds, see the following video
The article deals with step by step process on growing lemon at home from the stone. See also a video on how to plant a lemon in a split for quick fruiting.
The content of the article:
Growing a lemon tree at home will not be a particular problem, but it is very difficult to wait for its fruiting. Usually a lemon begins to bear fruit already in the seventh, tenth, or even twelfth year. If you want to see fresh yellow fruits (read about) at home, then you should take good care of the ornamental tree and graft it in order to get fruits faster.
But usually a lemon tree is not grown for fruits, but for exotic in their apartment. After all, the leaves of a citrus tree (lemon) tend to release phytoncides - biologically active substances that do not allow bacteria and various fungi to develop. Also, a pleasant, fresh fragrance will refresh the room, and endow everyone present with positive mood. There is nothing to chase after the fruits, they are in bulk in all stores and on the shelves of bazaars. Another advantage of this tree is that it is evergreen.
A lemon can be grown from a seed, or it can be grafted. In this article, we will consider the first option in step-by-step sequence. He's even more interesting. By the way, all citrus fruits are grown from the seed.
Stage 1: soil and pot preparation
The pot for our future green "brainchild" can be taken small for a start, but there must be a hole in it from below. At the bottom you need to lay out one and a half to two centimeters of drainage. Next, fill the pot with soil. You can immediately buy it in a specialized flower shop and do not suffer, there is a special land for citrus fruits, it is perfect.
If you refuse to buy, then you can make a mixture of loose soil: half of the humus earth and half of the turf. If desired, you can add a little coal or peat.
Stage 2: selection of planting material
When the place for planting a lemon is ready, you can go to the store or to the market to buy a suitable planting material. You need to choose the ripest and most yellow lemon. The fruit must not be damaged. We cut the purchased lemon and take out the largest seeds, it is better to choose two at once. So then you can choose the most actively growing tree and leave it.
Bones are needed wet and from fresh fruit, dry ones will not work, they lose their germination capacity over time.
Stage 3: planting a lemon from the stone
Moisten the soil in the pot with a little water so that it is wet, and place the stone 1–1.5 centimeters deep. Then, if desired, you can cover the top of the pot with a film. The temperature of the house should not be less than 18 degrees Celsius, otherwise the tree cannot be seen. If it’s cool in your place, then you should definitely cover the workpiece with a film and put it in a warm place. The amount of light does not play any role in seedlings. It is impossible to water, otherwise the oversaturation of moisture will destroy our lemon, the resulting roots will rot. But with a frequency of once every 2-3 days you need to spray. You can water a little soil only if it is very dry.
Stage 4: growing a lemon from a stone
Then we can only wait for the appearance of a sprout from about 2 to 3 weeks, or even longer if the apartment is not very warm. The film can be removed if the pot was closed with it after the appearance of the second pair of leaves. Now you need to rearrange the sprout that has appeared in a bright place, just do not put it in strong sun, the young tree may burn out. Now it remains to observe the watering regime for the plant: do not fill it with water and do not let the soil dry out. Water only with settled water at room temperature. You can use rain, but not cold!
There is no need to feed the lemon for the first months. In spring and summer, you can add a little fertilizer every two weeks. Here, as with water, without fanaticism, everything is in moderation and less is better than more. Lemon is a capricious tree and any measurements in care and maintenance can be detrimental. The tree should be carefully taken out to the balcony, if there is wind or strong sun, then it is better not to do this, otherwise all the leaves may fall off in the morning. Also with a sharp drop in temperature.
In autumn and winter, you need to water the lemon less often: as soon as the top layer of the earth has dried up. Top dressing should be done more than once a month.
Stage 5: Lemon transplant
A young lemon should be transplanted no more than twice a year, and an adult plant is enough only once every 3 or 4 years. Such a periodic transplant is due to the fact that the roots of the tree become entangled and, due to lack of space, growth at home will stop. With each change of the "new house" you need to take a pot larger than the previous one by 3-6 cm in diameter. When transplanting, be careful with the roots, do not break them.
Kira Stoletova
Growing a lemon from a stone at home is a complex and laborious process, but a beautiful tree with exotic fruits and pleasant aroma will become a unique decoration of any interior.
Benefits of seed cultivation
A healthy and strong tree is grown from a lemon seed, which will bloom for 2-3 years of life.
Unlike cuttings, the seed method of growing makes it possible to obtain a plant:
- disease resistant;
- with a beautiful and lush crown;
- unpretentious in care and conditions of detention.
Planting material preparation
To germinate lemon seeds, buy a fruit. Almost every fruit contains seeds. When choosing a lemon, pay attention to its appearance: the fruit must be ripe, yellow. It should not be rot and mechanical damage.
The seedling is germinated from the largest seeds. Their germination and survival rate is almost 100%. The seed is sown wet: it does not sprout when dried.
To make the seed germinate, it is treated with any biostimulant: root, heteroauxin or epin. The solution is prepared according to the instructions. Lemon seeds are soaked for a day before planting.
Pot
You need to plant lemon seeds in a special plastic flower container or use any plastic container for yogurt, jelly or ice cream. You can also take half a plastic bottle. In such a container, the seed germinates well. Several are drilled at the bottom drainage holes to drain excess water.
The bottom of the container is covered with a drainage layer (1.5 cm) of eggshell, vermiculite, expanded clay, pebbles or small pieces of brick.
substrate
It is realistic to germinate a lemon from a seed in a regular purchased substrate intended for planting citrus fruits. At home, the mixture is prepared as follows: mix humus soil with leaf soil in equal parts, add 1-2 handfuls of peat soil and sand. The latter components will make the soil light and retain its moisture and breathable qualities. Before germination, the soil is moistened with a spray bottle.
Landing Features
It is necessary to plant seeds in the ground to a depth of 2 cm. To successfully grow a lemon from a seed at home, 1-2 dozen seeds are planted at once. Of the germinated seedlings, the strongest and most suitable for further cultivation are selected. In addition, not all seedlings will be able to transfer the grafting procedure.
After planting a lemon seed, the ground is irrigated with a spray bottle and covered with cut plastic bottles or a transparent film. This makes it possible to later check whether the seeds have germinated or not, without removing the shelter.
To grow a lemon from a seed at home, you will need to provide not only good greenhouse conditions, but also a stable temperature regime within 18-20 ° C with moderate air humidity - 40-50%. To do this, plantings are placed on the windowsill, provide them with shading at lunchtime.
Seedling care until the moment of germination consists in regular watering (irrigation from a spray bottle), airing and providing bright diffused lighting. Irrigation plays a special role. Sprouts should not be sprayed too often, otherwise they will rot. Humidification passes after the topsoil dries completely.
Growing features
Instructions for growing a lemon from a stone:
- After the seedlings break through the ground, they are in no hurry to open them. Under a plastic cover, the sprouts are kept until they have 2 pairs of leaves.
- Seedlings planted in a pot are gradually accustomed to room air, daily increasing the time spent in a room without shelter.
- Every day, plantings are sprayed from a spray bottle and placed in a well-lit place without direct sunlight.
Transfer
It is time to transplant sprouts accustomed to room air with 1-2 pairs of leaves into pots. For transplantation, choose the strongest plants with a thick stem. Sprouts are transplanted into clay pots. In such a container, they feel comfortable and fully develop.
Subsequent transplantation into new pots is carried out as the tree and its root system grow. Before transplanting the sprouts, the containers are soaked in water for 1-2 hours. A drainage layer (1 cm) of pebbles, expanded clay or broken shards is laid at the bottom of the pot. Then soil is laid to the top from the same mixture as when planting seeds.
For the time being indoor lemon will not release new leaves, it is covered with a transparent film or half of a plastic bottle. Before shelter, the sprouts are irrigated with a spray bottle.
Rules for choosing high-quality sprouts:
- Look at the density of the crown. In high-quality seedlings, it contains at least 3-4 pairs of leaves. Choose a seedling with the smallest buds.
- A young plant should not have many thorns.
- Pay attention to the quality of fastening the leaves: they hold firmly and do not fall off at the slightest touch.
- Thin sprouts with bad leaves are rejected.
How to properly care
Growing a lemon from a stone at home will only work if the tree is properly cared for.
illumination
Illumination - required condition, which provides the lemon with the full development of the crown and good health. In summer, the plant has enough ordinary daylight. In early spring and in autumn, the lemon tree is artificially illuminated for 10-12 hours a day
Temperature
In the process of growing, this tropical plant will require a stable temperature regime in the range of 25-27 ° C. Stay under the sun is excluded, otherwise the tender young tree will get serious burns and die.
Humidity
Caring for seedlings of lemon seeds involves ensuring the necessary level of humidity at home. This indicator for him should be in the range of 70-80%.
Indoor lemon responds well to daily irrigation of the crown, periodic showers with warm water - at least 2 times a month.
Transfer
This plant should be repotted frequently. This procedure helps better development root system and stimulates the growth of the aerial part. Planting mature plants in a new container bigger size(5-6 cm in diameter larger than the previous one) is carried out at least once every 2 years, for young specimens transplantation is carried out annually. Best time for this procedure - summer. If it becomes necessary to transplant a room lemon in winter, this is done in February.
top dressing
In the period from February to September, lemons are brought nutrients This is the most active period of growth tropical plants. As top dressing, biological and mineral fertilizers are used, which are used alternately. Top dressing is applied in liquid form under the root. The main thing is not to overfeed the lemon, so they try to follow the instructions on the package.
crown formation
The main care for lemons involves the procedure for the formation of the crown. To grow a tree with a lush crown, the apical shoot is cut off, thus stimulating the development of lateral branches. The procedure is carried out in the first year of the life of indoor lemons.
To make the crown symmetrical, it is regularly rotated around its axis by a quarter. In the future, this technique has a positive effect on the quality and quantity of fruits.
Bloom
If a young lemon began to bloom quickly - already in the first year of life - all the buds are removed, because all the forces of the plant will be spent on flowering, and it will simply wither. Flowering near a tree is allowed when there are at least 7 pairs of leaves per flower bud.
Fruiting
If you properly care for the plant, it is possible to grow a lemon from a store seed that will bear fruit. True, the plant will give the first fruits at home not earlier than in 8-10 years.
To stimulate an earlier fruiting process, lemons are grafted. Vaccinations are made for other citrus fruits: mandarin or grapefruit. In order for vaccinations to give a positive result, they are carried out in spring or summer.
There is another way for a lemon to bear fruit - pinching. Additionally, after such a manipulation, the side shoots (of the second order) are pinched to a length of 18 cm. The procedure is repeated until branches of the 4th order appear. The first flower buds are formed on them, and then the fruits.
- Use only warm, settled water for irrigation. Rain and melt water at room temperature is also suitable.
- In the first months of life, do not feed the plant, otherwise it will burn and dry out.
- Avoid drafts and sudden changes in temperature, otherwise the tree will wither, turn yellow and throw off the foliage.
- Closer to autumn, reduce the frequency of watering. Moisturize as the top layer of the earth dries out.
- Remove any deformed or damaged ones to prevent rotting and disease infection. Also, yellowed and shrunken leaves are to be removed.
Lemon at home. How to grow a homemade lemon from a seed. Video
seed lemon, planting seeds, first shoots
How to plant a lemon from the seed at home
Conclusion
To grow a lemon tree from the stone at home, it is important to use the right technology. If it is followed, the growing process will be successful and productive. He will submit to any novice gardener.
