Homemade lemon: home care and photo. Lemon - home care for true flower growers

Growing a lemon tree at home is a simple process. Moreover, it is available to every lover to experiment, because it is enough to sow a few seeds taken from fresh fruits, and you will grow a neat little tree. True, without grafting or artificial pollination, the fruits in homemade lemon they are unlikely to mature, but in terms of decorative qualities, the plant will not be inferior to any other indoor flowers.

What a homemade lemon tree looks like: photos and descriptions of flowers, leaves and fruits

Lemon (Citrus limon L.) belongs to the Rutaceae family, the orange subfamily and the citrus genus. In addition to lemon, this genus includes tangerine, orange, citron, brigaradia, grapefruit, etc. According to the established classification, all these fruits are called citrus fruits.

All citrus fruits, including lemon, are evergreens. In the cold season, they do not shed their leaves: they do not drain nutrients, like other trees, but they are constantly accumulating. Thus, the leaves are, as it were, a repository of elements important for the plant, which are consumed exclusively for the growth of new leaves, shoots and branches, as well as for fruiting. Distinguishing a healthy tree from a sick tree is very easy: healthy lemon tree there is an abundance of green healthy leaves, which are actively involved in the physiological processes of growth.

Lemon tree leaves usually live for two to three years. Leaves fall off gradually as they age. If a sharp fall of the deciduous cover is found, this indicates that the growth mechanism is disturbed and the plant needs fertilizing. If the tree loses its leaves, it negatively affects its fruiting.

The root system has one curious feature that should be given a little attention. The roots of most plants are a web of root hairs through which they draw water and nutrients from the ground. Citrus fruits, including lemon, do not have such. They are replaced by special soil fungi, which are located on the roots of the tree in the form of thickenings, called mycorrhiza. The relationship between fungi and a tree is built on the basis of symbiosis: the fungus receives nutrients from the tree, and itself, in turn, provides the plant with everything it needs for growth.

The behavior of the tree itself is largely determined by the capriciousness of the symbiotic fungus. The fact is that mycorrhiza is quite sensitive to temperature and other factors. For example, it does not tolerate lack of moisture and lack of air when the ground is too dense. At temperatures above 50 ° C and below 7 ° C, it dies.

Flower buds form mainly in spring. From the moment of appearance, the buds develop for a month and only then bloom. Flowering lasts several days, during which pollination occurs. A few days after the petals fall off, the rudiments of the fruit are formed.

Look at the photo - a lemon tree often produces many ovaries at the first fruiting:

But since young tree still cannot properly support fruiting, many ovaries crumble before reaching maturity.

Lemons are perhaps the most capricious of citrus fruits: temperatures below 7 ° C are fatal for them, and at negative temperatures various metabolic disorders occur. Thus, lemon is quite whimsical, but its quality is more than compensated for by the valuable substances that it possesses.

Lemon is a perennial tree plant, 4–5 m high (but often smaller), with flexible branches, in most cases with thorns. Its leaves are dark green, thorns grow in the axils of the leaves. The leaf blades are oblong-ovoid or elliptical in shape with crenate or finely serrated serration. Petioles with narrow wings or wingless. Lemon blooms in small, white and clustered flowers with a very pleasant aroma. The buds can be reddish-purple.

As you can see in the photo, the petals of the lemon tree flowers are oval, strongly bent, the cups are slightly serrated, with a characteristic lemon aroma:

The fruit of the lemon tree is oval, light green, sour and edible. The fruit has a very thin skin, few seeds, high vitamin C content, strong aroma. They taste very sour (7.2% citric acid), and their yield can reach 20-30 pieces per year from each plant. Homemade lemon tree looks like a garden tree, only in miniature.

Tropical and subtropical regions are traditionally considered the birthplace of citrus fruits. South-East Asia and India. Lemon is no exception. In these areas, nature has created ideal conditions for his life: the combination of a suitable amount of light, heat and moisture allows the tree to bear fruit. all year round- bloom is observed 2-3 times a year. As you can see, the conditions in which the lemon culture originated are ideal, but this does not mean that the range of this citrus has not spread to other parts of the world.

Citrus fruits in general have been cultivated in Asia for more than one century, not even one millennium. For example, the Chinese did not limit themselves to simple dilution crops and proved to be skillful breeders. Even in the first centuries BC, new varieties of lemon were bred there, which came to Europe many centuries later.

On the territory of Russia, lemon can be grown in southern regions with a subtropical climate, for example, in Black sea coast The Caucasus. But even in such a mild climate as the Black Sea, it is often necessary to use greenhouses, since in the winter season there are often quite strong frosts and a large amount of precipitation in the form of snow. To increase the frost resistance of lemon, breeders are developing new varieties with increased resistance to low temperatures. In this case, the lemon is crossed with other citrus representatives, depending on what goals are pursued by such selection.

The history of the lemon tree

The name "lemon" is supposedly derived from the Malay word "lemo"; and in China this plant is called limung, which means good for mothers. India and Indochina are considered the homeland of lemons, where they grow wild in the Nilshhim mountains, at the foot of the Himalayas. From there, the lemon gradually penetrated into Mesopotamia, where it acclimatized.

More than three thousand years ago, people knew about the healing properties of lemon and used its fruits to treat many diseases. According to legend, Pharaoh Mikerenus drank a miraculous composition of garlic with lemon to maintain vigor of body and spirit.

Ancient medicine recommended lemon for vomiting, fever and diarrhea. The stomach was washed with a decoction of its fruits, the peel was used for a snakebite. As a prevention of cholera and jaundice in the countries of Asia Minor and the Middle East, sour fruits of the medicinal tree are still added to many dishes.

Theophrastus called the lemon the Mussel apple. Among the Romans, this plant appears in the 4th century AD. e., after Palladium brought him to Italy from Media.

It is known from the history of the lemon tree that the Arabs contributed to the active spread of lemon in Africa and Europe; from the gardens of Oman in Egypt, they brought him to Palestine in the X century, and from there the crusaders brought him to Italy and Sicily.

The first information about the cultivation of the lemon tree in the gardens of Georgia dates back to the beginning of the 18th century. Currently, lemon is bred in the subtropical zone of the Caucasus. In 1934, this plant was brought to Tajikistan, where it is grown in semi-closed trenches. Up to 500 fruits are removed from one tree. The largest lemon tree plantations in the world are in Italy.

Lemon was brought to Russia more than a hundred years ago from Turkey. In the village of Pavlovo-on-Oka, not far from Nizhny Novgorod, Turkish merchants visited and treated the owners with lemons. From lemon seeds, residents began to grow lemon trees at home. During the season, 10–15 fruits were taken from one tree. Since that time, the passion for indoor gardening began to spread throughout Russia.

Lemon tree: benefits, medicinal properties and uses

The juicy pulp of lemon fruit contains 5-7% citric acid and a lot of vitamin C. However, the skin of this valuable vitamin is 2-3 times more than in the pulp. Vitamin P, also found in the skin, improves metabolism in the walls of blood vessels, and therefore increases their elasticity, thereby preventing the appearance of sclerotic changes. In addition, lemon peel is rich in essential oil (0.6%), contains flavonoid glycosides: hesperidin, eriocitrin and furocoumarin.

The combined action of vitamins C and P increases the efficiency of the body, reduces fatigue, and facilitates the treatment of many diseases.

In addition to vitamin C, lemon fruits contain vitamin B1 (0.05–0.03 mg), a small amount of vitamin A (0.02–0.15 mg). They also contain citric acid (5-6%), nitrogen substances (0.05%), sugars (0.87%) and water (90.74%).

As soon as people learned about this valuable fruit and the beneficial properties of lemon, more and more ways of using the fruit began to appear.They are used in healing patients from many ailments and simply to maintain human immunity, to raise tone.

People, in practice, convinced of the enormous benefits of the fruit of the lemon tree, argue that lemon has not only anti-inflammatory, bactericidal and analgesic properties, but also has a diuretic, choleretic, hemostatic and sedative effect. In folk medicine, it is also used as an antihelminthic agent. And preparations based on it are also used for various inflammations. respiratory tract, diseases of the stomach, cardiovascular system, tuberculosis, vitamin deficiency, scurvy, inflammation of the oral cavity, fungal skin lesions, as well as rheumatism, gout and other types of joint diseases.

Lemon essential oil is used in aromatherapy as a heart tonic, bactericidal, disinfectant, anti-febrile and immunity-strengthening agent.

Juice, rich in vitamin C, is used, perhaps, more often than all other components of lemon fruits, both in the form of drinks and in preparations for external use. And among other fruit juices, it is in the leading group in terms of beneficial qualities. But lemon juice should be consumed immediately after receiving it, since when long-term storage under the influence of air, most of the vitamin C is destroyed.

Useful properties of lemon for the human body

In the treatment according to the recipes of traditional medicine, all parts of the lemon are used: zest, whole peel, pulp, juice, as well as essential oil. And, as the legend tells, even the seeds.

Lemon fruits, as mentioned earlier, impress with their rich composition: they contain up to 8% organic acids, up to 3% sugars, minerals, vitamins, phytoncides, alkaline elements and nitrogenous substances.

Ignore healing properties lemon, this treasure of health, is simply unreasonable, especially since there are no contraindications, except for individual intolerance.

Scientists have proven that ripe lemon fruits contain about 50–65 mg of vitamin C per 100 g of weight, in the ovaries - 83 mg, in the peel of the fruit - 163 mg, and in the tops of young shoots of the plant - 880 mg! Therefore, knowing about the beneficial properties of lemon for the human body, it is recommended to eat this fruit completely, without a trace.

So, lemon peel is the outer, pigment-colored peel, and its whole peel is very useful, since it contains 3 times more vitamin C than the pulp of the fruit, and the supply of citrine in the peel from one lemon is 3-4 doses of the body's daily requirement ...

Lemon oil is often used to prevent diseases and strengthen immunity, which is an excellent food supplement.

How the lemon tree propagates: growing from cuttings and cuttings

The lemon tree propagates, like many other plants, by cuttings, layering and seeds.

Rooting cuttings is the fastest and easiest way to propagate it. At favorable conditions lemon cuttings take root in 2-3 weeks. They root better when planted on cleanly washed river sand.

Cuttings 6-10 cm long (with 3-5 leaves) are cut from one-, two- or three-year branches of cultivated indoor lemon. The lower cut on the handle is made oblique, directly under the kidney, and the upper cut is straight above the upper kidney. Before planting, the lower leaf of the cutting is completely removed, the lower cut is sprinkled with crushed charcoal, protecting it from decay. Immediately after planting, the cutting is watered and covered with a 0.5 liter jar. The most favorable temperature for rooting the cuttings is 20-25 degrees. After 1.5 months, the rooted stalk is transplanted into a pot with a diameter of 10–12 cm, with a specially prepared soil mixture. The following composition of the soil mixture is recommended: granular sod land 5 parts, manure humus 2 parts, leaf humus (forest) 2 parts, river sand 1 part. The lemon is planted in a pot somewhat deeper than during rooting, but the root collar of the plant should not be covered with soil by more than 1 cm. After planting, the lemon is placed in a bright place and sprayed from a spray bottle with room water 2-3 times a day for 2-3 weeks temperature. The good development of the seedling is facilitated by feeding the young seedling with weak solutions of slurry, and then every 10-12 days with infusion of mullein or horse manure diluted with water 6 times. You can add ammonium nitrate to the infusion at the rate of 2 g per liter of infusion.

Growing lemon indoors is also possible using the hydroponic method. Green cuttings are rooted in expanded clay in spring. In the summer, young plants are planted in double flowerpots or in pots with gravel, expanded clay, or in a mixture of sand with expanded clay. Then, by correct pruning of branches of the first and second orders, branches of the third and fourth orders are obtained. Every year, flowers appear on young shoots, and with artificial 2 - 3-fold pollination, fruits are tied. With an excess of nitrogen in the nutrient solution, the lemon turns into a beautifully leafy plant with large dark green leaves, but it does not bear fruit.

How to plant and grow a lemon tree from seeds at home

Lemon can be easily grown from fresh seeds, which are planted immediately after they are taken out of the fruit, to a depth of 1 cm. Before growing a lemon tree from seeds, you can leave them to lie in a cotton pad moistened with water. They germinate in a month. The wilds obtained in this way at 3 - 4 years of age must be grafted to accelerate fruiting and improve the quality of the fruit.

Another way to get a fruiting tree is by grafting. How to plant a lemon tree yourself? To do this, a bud or stalk from a fruiting specimen is grafted into the crown of a seedling that has reached one year of age. Such a plant begins to bloom in the 2-3rd year, and it is desirable to leave the fruits from the next year after flowering, be sure to adhere to the rule: 10-15 ripe leaves per ovary.

The easiest way to get a plant is to buy a lemon tree of the appropriate age and size, given that such plants are expensive and it makes sense to purchase them only if they were raised in conditions that most closely match the conditions of your premises.

How to properly care for a lemon tree at home

Growing indoor lemon at home is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. The lemon tree at home is quite shade-tolerant, it adapts well to room conditions, and tends to bloom almost continuously. But the bloom is strongest in spring, especially after a long dormant period in winter.

Fruits develop without pollination, ripening lasts from 7 to 14 months. If yellow lemons are not cut before winter, they will begin to turn green again by spring. In summer, their peel thickens, in autumn it turns yellow again, but despite the large size, biennial fruits have the worst taste, besides, this weakens the plant. For caring for a lemon tree at home, the most favorable temperature for flowering and fruit setting is from +17 to +18 ° C. The ovary crumbles from lack of nutrients, high temperature, dry air and soil, drafts, excess moisture and lack of lighting in winter, as well as sharp turns relative to the cardinal points and a change in location.

In the room for the lemon tree, the windowsill is the most appropriate place... However, a negative point is a significant hypothermia of the root system in winter, which weakens the supply of water from the roots to the leaves, while they, due to the high air temperature, evaporate a lot of moisture. This can be eliminated by placing foam under the bowl or placing it in an insulating pots (container).

Even knowing how to grow a lemon tree at home, do not forget that the plant needs a good light regime for normal development, which should last 8 hours in winter and 10-14 hours in summer. Therefore, if possible, it should be placed near a light window. In winter, they usually spend additional lighting a fluorescent lamp in the morning and evening hours for 5-6 hours a day, placing the lamp 50-60 cm from the plant. Lemon is sensitive to changes in lighting, so it should not be rearranged from place to place, otherwise it will stop growing until it adapts to new lighting conditions.

Watering and fertilizing the lemon tree

In summer, during the period of strong growth, watering the lemon tree should be abundant, the earthen lump should not dry out. In winter, it is enough to water with water at room temperature 2-3 times a week in warm rooms and 1-2 times a week in cool ones. Both overdrying of the earth and excess moisture in winter with a lack of light causes leaves to fall. Daily spraying with water is very useful for lemon, especially if the plant is in a city apartment with central heating, where the air is very dry. Once every 10-15 days, the lemon leaves should be wiped with a wet cloth to remove dust.

Citrus fruits prefer breathable substrates, since their roots quickly rot when they lack oxygen. In the process of caring for a lemon tree, remember that its root system is also sensitive to a lack of moisture. In this case, the soil lags behind the roots, in citrus fruits they are devoid of hairs and voids are formed. The roots are covered with a cork layer, which further prevents the absorption of nutrients from the soil. When composing substrates, one cannot ignore the age of the seedlings. As a rule, young plants need a lighter mixture, and mature trees are planted in soil with the addition of clay soil. They are very responsive to fertilization. To fertilize indoor lemons, you can use both organic and complex chlorine-free mineral fertilizers. The timing of fertilization should be timed to the spring-summer period, that is, with active vegetation of plants from early March to mid-September, 2-3 times a month. In winter, during the dormant period, fertilizers are not applied.

Having an idea of ​​how to properly care for a lemon tree, you can use organic fertilizers - manure, mullein (1:10), chicken droppings (1:20), and complex chlorine-free mineral fertilizers.

From the age of two, the indoor lemon tree is transplanted every year into a pot of a larger (2-3 cm) diameter, necessarily gradually increasing the size of the dishes. You cannot plant a lemon in a large pot right away.

Of the pests, lemon, when grown indoors, is most often damaged by scale insects. To destroy them, the bushes are washed with a soap-oil emulsion prepared at the rate of 40-50 g of laundry soap and 10-15 g of machine oil per 1 liter of water. It is better to apply the emulsion with a stiff toothbrush, while removing the shields. After 2-3 hours, the plant is washed with warm water. Such processing, if necessary, is carried out 3-4 times, repeating in a week. With good care and creating favorable conditions, a lemon grown from a cuttings begins to bear fruit in the 3-4th year.

The video "Lemon tree at home" shows how to grow this plant:

How to properly shape a lemon tree

A properly formed crown is important for the successful fruiting of lemons. To do this, in the 1st year of life, the top of the plant is cut off at the beginning of February, leaving four leaves on the plant. In summer, 3-4 branches of the first order will develop on the stem from the axils of the leaves, from which the tops are also cut off the next year, leaving 2 leaves on each branch. On each of the branches of the first order, two shoots of the second order are allowed to develop. This is how a crown of 6 - 8 main branches is obtained, on which shoots of the third and fourth orders will develop in the future. With the appearance of branches of the fourth order, the formation of the crown ends. Flowering and fruiting in the indoor plant, the lemon tree occurs on the branches of the fourth order. Flowers and fruits are formed on thin branches-buds, directed horizontally.

In the process of forming the lemon tree, the so-called fatty shoots that appear in the lower part of the trunk or at the base of the lower leaves must be cut out as soon as they appear. Fatty shoots are unable to bloom and bear fruit, they grow very quickly in the form of long twigs, consume most of the mineral salts coming from the roots, and therefore inhibit the growth of other branches in plants. If you leave them, the lemons will bush endlessly, but not bloom. In the summer, it is better to take out the lemon in the greenhouses arranged on the balcony, protecting the plant from rain and direct sunlight with frames and visors.

The best varieties of indoor lemon for home growing: photo and description

A wide variety of forms and varieties of lemon are divided into three groups:

• sour lemons, combining varieties and shapes of typical lemons;
• sweet lemons - a group of acid-free varieties;
• forms close to real lemon (ponderosa, rough lemon, etc.).

Lemon fruits, without taking into account their belonging to the aforementioned groups, depending on the conditions of their cultivation, can be classified according to the following characteristics: thin- and thick-skinned; oval, ovoid or round (fruit-shaped); seed and seedless (according to the presence of seeds).

Many varieties of lemon are remontable, i.e. That is, under favorable temperature conditions, they can bloom and bear fruit throughout the year.

All varieties of indoor lemons that are grown indoors have a high reproductive rate. Almost all semi-lignified cuttings take root under optimal care conditions.

When breeding lemons indoors, it is extremely important to choose the right special varieties that are adapted to insufficient lighting and are resistant to dry air in living quarters.

Pavlovsky- one of the most attractive varieties of this type of citrus, intended for indoor cultivation. The variety was bred more than a hundred years ago in Pavlovo-on-Oka, Gorky Region. According to legend, two original maternal lemon specimens were brought here from Turkey by one artisan. Since then, the cultivation of lemons and other citrus fruits has become a tradition in this town.

Plants are propagated by cuttings, which take root after 15-25 days. And how to grow a lemon tree of this variety at home? This kind of lemon is well suited for keeping in rooms even with low light and increased dry air. It can be cultivated all year round, including on the north or north-east windows, in semi-basements where there is very little light. At the same time, lemons do not lose their appearance, bloom well and bear fruit, withstand dry air in rooms.

Maikop- a variety of national selection, obtained by the method of selecting seedlings in the city of Maikop. The average yield is 300–350 fruits from an adult tree in the prime of fruiting. Well adapted to indoor conditions, including unfavorable ones. Its great advantage is its small size (dwarfism).

Chinese dwarf (Meyer's lemon) - found by F. Meyer in 1908 near Beijing among fans of tub culture. It is a spontaneous lemon-orange hybrid, high-yielding and early fruiting. The tree is almost dwarf (the rootstock has a very strong influence). It blooms profusely and bears fruit annually, without "holidays". The fruit tastes like a cross between lemon and orange, but without the aroma of lemon, in color and structure they are closer to orange, and in taste - to lemon.

As you can see in the photo, such a lemon tree grown at home has round-oval fruits, orange peel, smooth, shiny and thin, easy to remove:

Segments 10. The pulp is also orange, juicy, contains about 4% citric acid. There are few or no seeds. The frost resistance of the hybrid variety is higher than that of a regular lemon. The Chinese dwarf bears fruit abundantly and regularly, usually 2-3 years after inoculation. In cultivation, the variety is unpretentious, but requires bright rooms. In terms of decorative and taste qualities, Meyer's lemon completely replaces ordinary lemon.

Ponderosa- this variety refers to lemons conditionally, because it differs significantly from other varieties of this type of citrus. According to some scientists, it is more a kind of lemon. Most consider it to be a lemon-pompelmus hybrid.

By its nature, it is a bonsai. Even in greenhouses, old 25-year-old specimens reach only 1.5 meters in height.

It blooms very profusely, sometimes the number of flowers interferes with the development of plants.

The fruits of this lemon variety for home cultivation differ from the fruits of other varieties in shape, aroma, size, reaching 400 g and more. They are almost pear-shaped, with a blunt apex and a somewhat spherical lower end. The skin is too thick, rough, rough, bumpy, rarely glossy, more often matte. The pulp tastes like an orange, but is sweeter, pale yellow. In color, it is similar to a real lemon, in chemical composition and taste it almost does not differ from it. Contains up to 2.5% sugar, 5–8% citric acid and up to 40–80 mg of vitamin C, which remains in fruits for a long time. They have a very specific aroma. The variety is especially decorative during flowering and fruiting. Grows well indoors. Of all varieties, it is most adapted to the unfavorable conditions of rooms, withstands bright light and shadow, but prefers good lighting. In winter, Ponderosa can lose leaves indoors, but this happens much less compared to other varieties.

IN open ground Ponderoza is rarely grown because of the excessive size of fruits and low productivity: old specimens give no more than 10-15 fruits per year; under indoor conditions, the yield does not exceed 2–5 pieces.

Despite the fact that Ponderosa has poor shoot growth, the cultivar forms a large number of buds at the ends of branches and shoots. By the way, this also differs from other common varieties of lemon, which lay fruits in the axils of the leaves, which is why it is considered a hybrid.

The percentage of fruit set is low - from a large mass of flowers, only 1–2 fruits develop on one shoot.

The leaves of the Ponderoza variety are dark green, the plate near the base is rounded (in other varieties it is pointed), stipules on short petioles, large, convex. The breeding coefficient of the variety is low due to poor growth.

Skierniewicz lemon is a variation of Ponderosa. This is a dwarf tree, easily propagates vegetatively and begins to bloom and bear fruit very early. Cuttings from it were brought in 1967 to the Skierniewicz Institute of Horticulture and Floriculture (Poland) from Canada and multiplied.

This variety blooms very early. When propagated by cuttings, a small plant with 1-2 leaves produces an inflorescence of flowers (5-8 per brush).

Fruits weighing up to 200 g, have a wonderful aroma, taste like lemon, most often without seeds. Plants are unassuming, tolerate indoor conditions well.

Kursk. Plants of this variety are undersized, have a spreading crown, the fruits are not worse than the southern ones in terms of taste. Propagated by cuttings, grafting, layering. The variety is high-yielding, tolerates low light and relatively dry air indoors, and is adapted to short-term frosts.

Novogruzinsky. One of the best varieties indoor lemon, intended for indoor cultivation. The tree is medium-sized, with a spreading crown. The fruits are oval, with a wide obtuse nipple-like protrusion at the tip, surrounded by a groove on one side. Near the base, the fruit tapers into a short, wrinkled neck. The skin is light yellow, rough or smooth and shiny, usually thick. The pulp of the fruit is tender, juicy, has 9-12 segments. Fruits or without seeds, or there are few of them - 2-6 pieces in one lemon.

Odessa. The variety was bred in the Odessa Botanical Garden by the selection of seedlings. The variety is very fruitful and undemanding to growing conditions.

Drummer. The tree is medium-sized. Fruits weighing up to 200 g, oval or obovate-like, with a wide blunt nipple at the top, often encircled by a semicircular groove. The neck near the base is short, wrinkled. The skin is golden yellow, almost without bitterness, slightly rough. The pulp is fragrant, pleasant to the taste, has 8-11 segments. The fruit contains up to 14 seeds.

Lisbon. The tree is of medium height. Fruits are oblong-oval, slightly pointed, with a slightly wrinkled nipple at the tip, with a small groove near the base of the nipple. The skin is thin, smooth and shiny. Pulp with 9-11 segments. The fruit has 4–5 seeds, has a strong aroma, is well transported and stored.

The variety tolerates high temperatures and dry air well. Indoors, it is cultivated with great success.

Genoa. The tree is undersized, has a beautiful crown, shoots with a small number of thorns. Fruits are oblong-oval, with a small elongated nipple at the top of the fruit. The pulp is tender and juicy. Skin without bitterness. Well cultivated indoors.

Cape. There is speculation that this is a hybrid of lemon and citron. Weak tree, blooms profusely, gives large yields. Fruits are large, oval or shi-rocoyaceous, with a ring-shaped groove at the top, orange-yellow in color. The taste of the fruit is peculiar, slightly bitter.

Villa Franca. Variety Villa Franca is a bush-shaped tree with a well-developed densely leafy crown, with strong elastic branches. There are few or no thorns. Leaves are medium in size, light green, with a wedge-shaped base, pointed at the apex. The flowers are small compared to those of other lemon varieties.

Fruits are medium to above average in size, oblong-oval in shape, with a short blunt nipple with a half-ring groove at the base. The skin is smooth, dense, of medium thickness. The pulp is tender, fine-grained, very juicy, aromatic, light yellow in color. Lobules in the fruit - 9 - 11. The pulp has a very good taste.

A characteristic feature of this variety is a relatively early entry into the fruiting period, often in the second or third year after planting the grafted plants in a permanent place.

Lemon Jubilee- most unpretentious variety... Has the largest leaves in comparison with other varieties - leathery, dark green. The average height of the tree is 80-120 cm. It blooms in bunches - 1012 flowers per inflorescence, the flowers are very large, beautiful, up to 5 cm in diameter, the tree is all strewn with flowers. Fruits are large, weighing up to 300-500 g, oval or round. This lemon does not need to be formed, it is shade-tolerant, it tolerates the dry air of the apartment very well.

Commune. It is considered one of the best varieties in terms of yield and fruit quality. Having reached 4 - 5 years of age, one tree of this variety can give up to 60 fruits. Trees of medium height, with a dense crown, with infrequent small thorns. The fruits, as a rule, grow large in size, oval in shape, practically without seeds, the pulp of the fruit is very juicy, tender, the juice tastes sour and very aromatic. The nipple of the fruit is rough, short and dull, with an indistinct groove at the base. The rind is of medium thickness, slightly bumpy, smooth

How to grow a lemon with fruits at home

Many gardeners, knowing how to plant a lemon and grow a beautiful tree from it, are faced with such a problem as the lack of flowers and fruits. A plant grown from a cutting, under favorable conditions, should begin to bear fruit in the third, or even in the second year of life. When this does not happen, it may be that the lemon is lacking in nutrients or the conditions are not suitable for it.

How to grow lemon with fruits at home? If the florist believes that care is provided properly, then flowering can be stimulated by grafting a branch from a fruiting specimen. In the event that there are flowers, but the fruits are not tied, you can try to pollinate the plant yourself with a cotton swab. It is worth making a little effort and the plant will certainly delight you with delicious and juicy fruits.

Problems when growing a lemon tree indoor plant

One of the problems with growing indoor lemon is the curling of the leaves. This can occur both due to unfavorable conditions of detention (lack of fresh air, dry air, rare spraying, insufficient watering), and due to the defeat of herbivorous mites (wipe the lemon leaves with a soft sponge dipped in hot 50-degree soapy water - 20 g of liquid green soap for 1 liter of water, the day after the procedure, arrange a lemon "shower"). Take the lemon out into the fresh air in summer, place the lemon pot in a wide container of water on a stand (so that water does not flow into the drainage hole), water the lemon regularly and spray at least 2 times a day in summer.

The new leaves are too small, and the old ones gradually turn yellow and fall off. This is due to the lack of sufficient nutrients in the soil.

Yellow spots have appeared on the leaves or the leaves turn very yellow, starting at the edges. This indicates too much watering. The soil should dry out between waterings.

Leaves fall massively. We can talk about overflow, about the lack of sunlight (especially important in winter). Lemons often fall off the leaves, which are watered with very cold water and even from an excess of nutrients in the soil.

The evergreen perennial indoor lemon belongs to the rue family, a genus of citrus fruits. India, the foot of the Himalayas, is considered his homeland. It is easy and very exciting to grow it on the windowsill at home. With proper care, the bush will be able to bear fruit, its fruits are just as tasty as those grown under the southern sun.

Types of indoor lemons

Domesticated citrus attracts with shiny emerald leaves and bright yellow fruits. Indoor lemon - description:

• the plant is considered stunted, the oldest specimens can reach a height of 1.5 m;
• the shrub has thorny branches;
• leaves are leathery, elongated, oval, toothed, contain essential oil;
• several times a year the plant forms small white rosettes (4-5 cm in diameter) with many stamens and a delicate aroma that cleans the room of unpleasant odors;
• the bud develops for 5 weeks, blooms for 50 days;
• bears fruit homemade citrus from one to four times a year, depending on the variety, the period of fruit development is 200-230 days;
• the fruit has a light yellow color and a noticeable lemon smell, the pulp is juicy and sour;
• with normal development, the culture bears fruit all year round - ovaries, buds, flowers and fruits can simultaneously develop on the bush.

Indoor lemons - varieties:

Growing indoor lemon

It is easier to grow indoor lemon from the seed. To place the bush, it is better to choose southern or eastern windowsills with good lighting. Lemon is a thermophilic houseplant, the optimum temperature for it is + 15-22 ° С. Planting is carried out to a depth of 1-2 cm with a distance of 5 cm in small pots with expanded clay drainage, or charcoal... They contain sowing in a bright place, it germinates after 2 weeks. After the sprouts appear, choose a strong one, cover with a jar. After a pair of true leaves sprout, the specimen is planted in a 10-centimeter pot.

Soil for indoor lemon

Fertile soil for indoor lemons should be slightly acidic or neutral (6-7 pH), aerated. For self-preparation, you need to make a mixture of meadow turf, leafy soil, coarse sand, humus in a ratio (2: 2: 1: 1). You can use store-bought citrus primer by mixing it in equal parts with peat. Then the composition will turn out to be light and breathable.

Reproduction of indoor lemons

For indoor lemons, cuttings are a popular propagation method. For sprouts in the spring, take shoots 10 cm in size with 3-4 buds and 2-3 leaves. The twig is treated with a root stimulant and placed in water for 3 days. Suitable for cultivation are soil made of humus, coarse sand and flower land in equal shares. Cuttings are dropped by 3 cm, the leaves are moistened daily, the substrate should not have stagnation of water. Rooting occurs after 30-45 days, then the cutting can be planted in another pot.

Room lemon - home care

Taking care of indoor lemon is troublesome. He loves good lighting, adherence to temperature and irrigation conditions. For the growth of leaves, it needs at least + 17 ° С, during the development of fruits, the temperature must be increased to + 22 ° С. Caring for indoor lemon involves organizing good lighting. Direct sunlight should hit the bush for 2 hours a day. To prevent the tree from developing one-sided, every 10 days it must be turned 10 ° around its axis. In winter, with a short daylight hours - arrange backlighting using lamps.

Pruning indoor lemons

• in the first year of life, the plant shoots 30 cm;
• for the second season in the spring, it is necessary to cut it with pruning shears, leaving a height of 20 cm, while the tree will begin to release lateral buds;
• the lower shoots must be cut off, leaving the 3 upper ones - they will form the skeleton of the culture;
• the next year, they do the same with the lateral branches - they are shortened to stimulate the development of daughter shoots, then several upper shoots are left;
• indoor lemon acquires beautiful view in the presence of trunks up to 5-6 branching levels;
• in the future, pinching fast-growing shoots or removing them is enough.

How to feed indoor lemon?

Citrus at home needs feeding. They begin to nourish the trees when they reach 2-3 years of age. For fertilization, complex mineral compositions are used in the spring summer period twice a month. From mid-autumn, recharge is carried out every 6 weeks. It is important to water the potted substrate two hours before fertilizing with clean water.

From organic matter, a lemon tree prefers an extract of wood ash, an infusion of birch (half a can of leaves is poured with water and kept for 2-3 days), fresh manure diluted 5-6 times. Organic fertilizer for indoor lemon is applied at the same frequency as mineral makeup. If there is an intensive growth of green mass to the detriment of the fruits, nitrogen must be removed from the fertilizing and a phosphorus component must be added;

Watering indoor lemon

Before taking care of lemon in a room, it is important to study the rules for moisturizing it. From May to September, homemade citrus needs moderate watering every other day, in winter it is reduced to once a week. The tree is moistened with cold water, settled for 5 hours. Pour it over the entire surface of the pot. The plant loves spraying with heated boiled water, especially in winter, if heating systems are working around. For citrus, "wet" air around the crown is more important than excess moisture in the soil.

Diseases of lemons in indoor conditions

Why do indoor lemon leaves turn yellow?

Often, improper care leads to the disease of indoor lemons, the leaves of the plant turn yellow. There are several reasons:

1. Lack of nutrients. Calcium is responsible for the root system, phosphorus helps in the formation of tasty fruits, nitrogen contributes to the healthy coloration of foliage, and potassium contributes to its normal absorption. Timely application of fertilizers with such elements will help prevent yellowing of the foliage.
2. Lack of lighting. Indoor lemon needs a 12-hour day, if it is shorter, backlighting with a fluorescent lamp will help.
3. Excess light, direct sunlight causes burns on the leaves. The tree needs to be moved to a shaded area.
4. Lack of moisture causes the tips of the leaves to turn yellow. It is necessary to carry out daily spraying of the plant with a spray bottle. It is useful to keep water in a flat bowl near the pot for evaporation. In the summer, once a week, the plant is advised to be washed under the shower.
5. Sudden changes in temperature, drafts, the proximity of heating devices can also lead to yellowing of the foliage. Then you need to get rid of such unfavorable factors.

Why do indoor lemon leaves fall?

Unfavorable conditions for keeping the bush lead to the fact that it begins to shed its leaves. This often happens in autumn-winter period... The more healthy leaves on a tree, the better it grows and bears fruit, and the condition of the bush is judged by their number. In some cases, the plant recovers on its own, but it is important to eliminate the cause of the unpleasant phenomenon. If the indoor lemon has dropped its leaves, what to do:

• with a lack of moisture, the plant should be sprayed more often and the soil should not be allowed to dry out;
• if the plant has little light, use additional lamps;
• exclude hypothermia of the roots, water the bush with only warm water;
• if the pot is cramped, the bush must be transplanted into a larger container (2-4 cm);
• control that an excess of moisture does not occur in the soil, leading to rotting of the roots;
• inspect the tree for pests, if they are found - carry out treatment.

Indoor lemon diseases - sticky leaves

In some cases, the foliage on the shoots becomes sticky - as if it had been sprayed with syrup, crystals may even form. The disease is caused by a scale insect that has settled on a tree. With untimely treatment, a sooty fungus starts in the sticky liquid, which appears on the branches, trunks and leaves with dark spots, without treatment the plant dies.

To eliminate plaque, the foliage is wiped with a solution of transformer oil (6 ml per 1 liter of water). After 5-7 days, the treatment is repeated. The solution removes sticky plaque and kills the young scale insect. You can use another method of treating lemon - care for a houseplant in the form of spraying with carbofox or tobacco solution also helps well. Processing is carried out 2-3 times with an interval of 7 days.

Indoor lemon pests

Citrus fruits can also be damaged by typical pests. To grow indoor lemon, you need to know how to remove it to fight:

1. If they are present, the leaves fall off, the branches dry, the plant dies. Pests are cleaned with a brush, the leaves are washed with a soapy emulsion (2 tbsp. L liquid remedy per 1 liter of water), garlic water (7-8 crushed heads are infused in a bucket of water for a day).
2. Located at the bottom of the leaf, gradually envelops the entire culture. In case of damage it is necessary to spray the tree with Aktelika solution, repeat 3 times with an interval of 10 days.
3. It feeds on greens, leads to drying of leaves and cracking of fruits. The plant must be examined and its larvae must be manually disposed of.
4. Aphid. Eats the tops of the shoots. The plant should be sprayed three times (every 10 days) with Aktelik solution. You can put a pot of geraniums nearby. Spraying with garlic water will also help.
5. Thrips. They look like small black dots, can fly, carry viruses. For destruction, the bush is washed under the shower, treated with a soapy emulsion.
6. Whiteflies. The larvae are located at the bottom of the leaves. The bush is sprayed at least 5 times every three days.

Pebble stand Wiping and spraying

How to care for lemon in winter?

Training

A month before the onset of cold weather move the lemon tree to a suitable environment.

Before doing this, pre-wash the plant in the shower to get rid of dust and possible insects.

Storage

Transfer the plant to a room with a temperature of 15-17 degrees Celsius. This room should have acceptable air humidity and sufficient illumination... The southeastern part of the house would be an ideal choice.

Do not place the lemon tree on the windowsill above the radiator - it may die from the high temperature and dry air.

Light balance

Lemon is very sensitive to the amount of light, especially in the winter season. Should be observed next rule : the higher the room temperature, the more light there should be.

If the room has low temperature(lemon tree tolerates temperatures well 4-6 degrees Celsius), then it should be dark.

Follow so that the plant is in direct sunlight for no more than two hours a day. This will help prevent burns and drying out of the leaves.

Nutrition and watering

The best water for irrigation lemon - from natural sources. In winter, you can use melted snow and ice as irrigation water.

For greater effect, dilute 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in melt water.

If in the summer you need to water the lemon tree several times a day, then in the winter you need to limit yourself one or two procedures per week... Excessive watering threatens soil acidification and plant diseases: yellowing of leaves and decay of roots.

Before watering, be sure to warm the water to a temperature 2-3 degrees above room temperature. Water the plant in 3 doses, take short breaks between them so that the soil has time to soak up enough water.

During the winter spray the leaves of the plant with a special nutrient solution containing trace elements. You can buy this solution at any specialized store. Try to ensure that this solution covers the entire area of ​​the foliage.

Circumcision

Use disinfected scissors to trim dying leaves and branches... This will help improve air circulation in the plant and improve its condition.

In this video you will find more information on lemon: winter care.

Moisturizing lemon

How often to moisturize homemade lemon in winter? What are the other ways besides watering?

Pebble stand

To maintain the optimum moisture level for the lemon tree, purchase a small pebble stand.

Place it under the plant pot.

Fill it with water until such a level that the bottom of the pot does not submerge in water, as direct contact with water can harm the plant.

Wiping and spraying

For this purpose, wiping the leaves with a damp cloth works well.

Repeat this procedure once a week.

This will help moisturize the plant and also prevent insects from appearing. You can simplify the task and spray the leaves with water from a spray bottle, but this will have less effect.

Water for wiping and spraying procedures should be warm. Hot or cold water is not permitted.

As such, the lemon tree needs special care during the winter months. Monitor the conditions in which it is contained, carefully dose moisture and fertilizers. Then your lemon will grow healthy. and with the onset of spring will give you fruit.

How to take care of lemon at home? This question interests every inexperienced gardener. After all, it is the care that affects the growth and fruiting of the plant. Lemon is a very useful citrus for human body... You can use it to cook delicious tea and boost immunity.

Proper lemon care is a guarantee of fruit production

Therefore, if you want to get all the healthy vitamins, you need to know how to care for the lemon tree.

Lemon watering

Home care is primarily about proper watering. In cold weather, homemade lemon is watered once a week. To do this, warm water must be defended in advance. In the warm season, watering is necessary once a day, because in the heat any plant requires a lot of liquid.

After each watering, the top layer of the soil must be loosened. It is necessary to bring water into the ground clearly according to the scheme so as not to harm the root system of the lemon, because a large amount of moisture can lead to its decay, and a lack of water leads to the fact that the lemon tree at home begins to throw off its leaves. This is the first answer to the question of how to care for homemade lemon.

Lighting

It is worth knowing about correct lighting if you are wondering “how to care for indoor lemon”. After all, no plant can exist without sunlight. The lemon tree does not need a long day of light. The amount of light only affects the formation of leaves, not fruit. It is better to keep the tree at home on the windowsill, which is located in the east.

If there are no windows on the right side, then you need to protect the plant from direct sunlight. For proper crown formation, you need to turn the tree several times a month.

The shade negatively affects the development of the lemon. Try to properly care for the lemon, then such problems will not arise.

The lemon tree loves color, but not direct sunlight.

Air temperature

Lemon care at home provides for a temperature regime. This is one of the main conditions for the fruiting of lemon.

The temperature regime for lemon should be as follows:

1. When the lemon begins to bloom or grow actively, the air temperature should be at least 17 ° C.
2. When active fruiting begins: 20 ° C.
3. During the dormant period, which most often occurs in winter, the apartment should be between 14 ° C and 18 ° C.

For lemon at home, care in terms of temperature should be followed clearly. The slightest swings cause illness and death.

Lemon can be taken out into the fresh air in summer.

Humidity level

Homemade lemon care includes controlling moisture levels. In order for it to grow and bear fruit normally, the humidity must be high, especially in summer due to the heat. On such days, the plant must be sprayed daily and washed once a week in the shower.

To increase the humidity level, you need to put a small container of water next to the pot, which will evaporate and create optimal conditions for the growth of the tree. If you wish, you can purchase a special air humidifier, which should be in the same room as the lemon.

Top dressing

Caring for indoor lemon also includes feeding it. In the summer, it is carried out every seven days, and in the winter - every month, if the lemon is fruitful. If there are no fruits, then this can be done less often. Lemon tree care includes fertilizing with mineral and organic fertilizers.

Before adding nutrients, the plant is watered. This will prevent root burns. If you use a ready-made mineral fertilizer, then the proportion of substances (N: P: K) is 14:16:18. Use the product according to the instructions.

Organic lemon fertilizers need to be prepared properly. To do this, you need to fill the manure with water and insist it for a week. Then the mixture is diluted in a ratio of 1:15. Twice a year, it is recommended to process the soil with potassium permanganate, this will prevent diseases.

Dung is an excellent organic fertilizer for lemon

Transfer

Growing a lemon includes not only proper care, but also its transplant. It is recommended to do it with trees every two years while they are young. In the spring, it is necessary to purchase a special soil and transplant the lemon into a pot that is 4 cm larger than the previous one in diameter. Thanks to the transshipment method, the roots retain their strength and quickly take root in a new place.

It is necessary to replant the tree several times a year during the growing season. Use expanded clay and charcoal drainage. You cannot replant the tree during flowering and during the period when it bears fruit. Proper planting is the key to the health of the tree.

Lemon transplant is carried out in spring

Lemon flowering and fruiting

Lemon trees must be looked after carefully, especially during the period when flowers appear on it. This occurs for the first time two years after sowing the seeds. When a plant is in bloom, you cannot leave all the flowers on it, i.e. because a young tree is not able to grow all the ovaries that have appeared.

Flower Removal Process:

1. For the first time, a blooming lemon is cut in half, leaving an ovary for four fruits.
2. When the tree begins to bloom a second time, the ovaries are left for six lemons.
3. For the third time, ovaries should be left on the lemon for eight fruits.

These manipulations with the tree allow you to properly care for it and achieve active fruiting. The older the tree, the more lemons it will produce. Therefore, do not be afraid to pick flowers.

The plant bears fruit about four times a year, depending on the variety and care. From the moment of development to the moment of ripening, it takes about 6 months.

When fully ripe, the fruit has a golden skin. You should not delay harvesting, because the lemon will lose all of its beneficial features.

Lemon flowering should be regulated

Pollination of lemon in pots

Flowering and fruiting occurs only in mature plants. If the lemon is still young, then it is recommended to pick off all the flowers. There must be about 20 mature leaves on a tree to produce fruit. Early fruiting depletes the plant, it may die. If the tree has grown stronger, then you need to wait until it blooms, and then you can pollinate.

How to pollinate lemon correctly? First you need to create the necessary conditions. Humidity should be 70% and air temperature 25 ° C. It is also worth preparing special tools:

• soft brush;
• a small piece of fur;
• cotton swab.

Carefully, using prepared tools, collect pollen from the stamens and transfer it to the pistils. Do this with all flowers. If you are in doubt that the pollination process was successful, you can repeat it.

If you wish, you can use special preparations. Biopreparations "Bud" or "Ovary" are popular. They allow the formation of fruits, in the event that the ovary develops very weakly.

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If you have a lemon "settled", caring for it at home will require a lot of work. It belongs to remontant plants, therefore, under certain conditions, it is able to bloom and bear fruit all year round. But not everyone succeeds not only in trying the fruits of their citrus, but also just admiring the flowering. What is the reason? Let's figure it out.

Variety selection

First of all, for planting in the house, you should choose varieties specially bred for these purposes. They do not grow to gigantic dimensions, but at the same time they are characterized by high yields. Pay attention to these varieties of dwarf and semi-dwarf lemons:

• Meyer
• Pavlovsky
• Novogruzinsky
• Maikop
• Eureka
• Genoa

Among the most common varieties in our latitudes, Meyer's lemon, caring for it is the least troublesome in comparison with other species. This variety is sometimes called the Chinese dwarf, and its fruits are not as sour as those of other varieties. Dwarf lemons do not have a rich harvest, but they will add comfort to the interior of the apartment.

Indoor lemon video

Tall lemons will certainly delight you with tasty and large fruits, but at the same time, they require a lot of time to care, because, in addition to the usual activities, they need more frequent pruning, garter and crown formation. If you are interested in these citrus fruits, choose from the following varieties:

• Novogruzinsk
• Kursk

Creation of optimal lighting, temperature and humidity conditions

How to take care of lemon in an ordinary city apartment, when there is no heating, then windows to the north, then the air is too dry for citrus? You will have to provide the tree with comfortable conditions for growth and development.

The first thing that matters to a lemon is light.

Homemade lemon photo

For the arrangement of the pots, it is better to choose southeast windows with moderate lighting, if, of course, you are lucky and you have them. But what if your whole alternative is the north or south side.

On the northern windows, the lemon will noticeably lack light, so you will have to use fluorescent lamps, extending the daylight hours for the plant up to 12 hours. This is especially true for the winter period.

There is always plenty of light on the south side of the house, and even a surplus for lemon. Therefore, at midday it is necessary to shade your citrus, saving it from the destructive effects of direct sunlight, which can leave real burns on the leaves.

Lemon is a native of the Pacific tropics, so it is not surprising that the tree is demanding on the thermal regime.

In the spring, during the budding period, the room temperature should be 14 - 16 degrees. A high degree contributes to the drying out and shedding of the buds, and a low degree slows down or even stops this process. During the rest period, room temperature is sufficient up to 26 degrees. If possible, transfer your pet to the glassed-in balcony for the summer. Fresh air will benefit the lemon and the question of how to care for the lemon will not be so acute. However, you should be wary of both sudden temperature changes and drafts. As a true southerner, indoor lemon requires meticulous care.

Homemade lemon in the photo

Moisture. This parameter is very important for lemon. Therefore, it is necessary to control that the soil in the pot is constantly slightly moist. In summer, it is reasonable to increase the number to 3 waterings per week, and in winter it can be reduced to 1 time, but spray the air around the tree. This is provided that the heating devices are far from the plant. Water the lemon with cold water, which has settled for 5 hours. Water should be poured not directly under the root, but evenly over the entire soil surface. The air around the tree should also not be dry - at least 60% humidity. Otherwise, you run the risk of seeing twisted, brownish leaves on the lemon.

Fertilizing, feeding ...

Lemon, like the rest of the plants in your home, needs support and needs to be fed periodically.

Young lemon trees do not need additional stimulation; lemons that have reached 3-4 years of age need to be fertilized.

Pictured is a lemon tree

You can purchase specialized mixtures of organic fertilizers, or you can use folk methods:

• For abundant fruiting, sometimes ordinary watering is replaced with infusion eggshell... But you should not get carried away with this method, so as not to reduce the acidity of the soil with an excess of calcium.
• If the plant develops normally, has a healthy appearance and pleases with flowering, fertilization can be abandoned.
• During the growing season, it is worth feeding the lemon twice with superphosphate (for 1 liter of 50 grams of fertilizer).
• Ammonium nitrate is highly recommended for improving growth. It is taken in the proportion of 30 grams per liter of water. Watering with such fertilizer can be carried out monthly.
• Water your lemon periodically with a 7-day infusion of horse manure, diluted tenfold.
• Lemon needs microelements for normal development: magnesium, phosphorus, nitrogen and others. To compensate for their deficiency, you can use the Citrus mixture fertilizer once a quarter. 2-3 grams of this fertilizer is diluted in a liter of water and used instead of the main watering.

Pruning and replanting indoor lemon

Young lemon trees should be transplanted at least once a year.

Instances older than 3 years - with a frequency of 2-3 years. However, the need for a transplant may arise "unscheduled", for example, due to illness or deterioration of the lemon condition.

In the photo, a lemon transplant

1. The soil around the trunk is watered abundantly so that it softens, then the tree is carefully removed. In this case, extreme caution must be exercised so as not to disturb the earthen ball and not to hurt the root system.
2. If you find damaged roots, cut them off with a sharp knife or blade.
3. For transplanting, take a capacity 30-50% larger than the previous one. Too big, like too small a pot, slows down growth. Give preference to a cone-shaped container.
4. Place the crock at the bottom of the pot on the drain hole so that its convex side is on top. Then a layer of drainage (small pebbles, pebbles), a thin layer of dry manure and an earthen mixture are laid.
5. Closer to the center of the pot, a tree is installed along with a lump of earth. Slowly start filling the container with soil between the lump and the walls of the pot. You can lightly press down on the laid soil, but there is no need to tamp it tightly.

Lemon pruning is done with the aim of forming beautiful crown and improving fruiting.

At a tree height of 20-25 cm from the ground, pinch the stem, making it possible to develop lateral branches. Please note that the first fruits appear on the branches of the 4th-5th order (rows from the bottom) and until they are formed, there is no need to wait for the fruits.

Vertically grown branches should be pruned without mercy.

To form the correct shape, the flower pot must be carefully turned relative to the sun every 10 days. Gardeners sometimes improve the crown using copper wire - they fix individual branches with it, giving them the desired direction of growth.

Photo of a lemon cut

The formation of the crown is also carried out at the moments of picking fruits. Ripe lemon is cut not only with a stalk, but also with a section of the branch itself with 1-2 internodes. This stimulates the growth of the branch.

Homemade lemon - emergency care

Lemon is very whimsical to environment and reacts instantly to the slightest fluctuations in temperature or humidity. Measures should be taken to save the plant.

Dried citrus needs watering. By the appearance of the foliage - it becomes yellowish-brownish and rare - it is easy to guess the cause of the disease. But do not rush to irrigate the soil abundantly, you can spoil the root system. It is better to pour a little settled water under the root, and spray around the crown. You can wrap the barrel with gauze folded in several layers and soaked in water. Let the tree stand in this "outfit" for several hours, but do not leave it overnight.

Excess watering will quickly make itself felt by a sudden leaf fall. Seemingly healthy leaves suddenly fly around en masse. As soon as a symptom is identified, proceed with a transplant immediately. Carefully remove the tree from the pot, set it together with the earth lump on newspaper or cardboard so that the roots dry out. You need to plant in the soil, slightly moistened and continue to water moderately.

In the photo, homemade lemon with fallen leaves

It is very difficult to save a frozen lemon. In conditions of a sharp cold snap, the vital activity of the plant may cease. In addition to falling foliage, the trunk darkens when freezing. You can try to carry out "resuscitation". To do this, move the lemon to a warmer room, extend the daylight hours with the help of artificial lights. It makes sense to transplant into another pot. When removing, be sure to inspect the rhizome, remove dead and rotten parts. Remove dried out branches.

Overheating is no less dangerous for citrus. The emerging brown spots on the leaves clearly indicate overheating. Therefore, on hot summer days, remove the container with the plant deep into the room. Make sure that the air from the air conditioner does not enter the crown. No additional watering or cooling is required.

Important! You cannot often change the place and habitat, it takes a long time and badly to adapt to new circumstances. Therefore, it slows down growth and fruiting, and may even show signs of illness. Drafts and unventilated rooms are equally destructive for him.

Photo of a lemon tree

Lemon pests and diseases

Appearing white flies may indicate stagnation. Their larvae feed on roots and cause significant damage to the plant. To combat them, insecticides of various types are used - irrigation solutions and aerosol forms for the destruction of insects that have managed to hatch. Karbofos and Aktelik are quite effective against these insects.

It is necessary to regularly look at lemon leaves, on which ticks and scale insects can settle. Outwardly, mites are like tiny spiders. They are given out by the color orange or brown, which stands out noticeably against the green background of the back of the leaves. They tighten the damaged areas with a thin cobweb, by which it is easy to recognize pests. Rinse the twigs and leaves on both sides at intervals of three to four days several times under a high pressure shower head. Multiple infusions are effective

• garlic (infuse 1 medium-sized head in 0.5 l of water),
• onions (1 onion, finely grated, poured with a liter of water),
• bay leaf (2-3 leaves per 0.5- liter jar water)
• strong infusion of green tea (for 2 cups of boiled water, 2 tablespoons of dry tea leaves).

Attention! It is not recommended to water the soil with these means.

Scabbards look like small brown turtles, motionless and tightly attached to leaves. It is difficult to deal with them. Three times at weekly intervals, wipe the plant, including leaves on both sides, twigs and trunk, thoroughly with a mixture of soap and kerosene, taken in a ratio of 1 / 0.5. Cover the ground with cardboard or polyethylene, wrap the trunk at the very bottom with a narrow bandage to prevent the penetration of liquid into the root system.

Lemons often get sick from improper care. Brownish leaves on an outwardly healthy plant, and even during the flowering period, is one of the ailments. In this case, reconsider the conditions for keeping the flower, it may make sense to transplant it. But in this case, choose a soil different from that at present. Perhaps it was the acidity of the soil that caused the disease.

Video about pests of indoor lemon

As for the human body, disease prevention is important for citrus fruits. To prevent diseases, observe the regime, carry out transplantation, pruning of damaged areas. Sometimes a sudden illness can be dictated by the depletion of the plant itself. In this case, limit the flowering to a few buds, and remove the rest, no matter how sorry. Each house has its own separate microclimate, which is not always suitable for lemon. The task of the plant owner is to adapt it to existing conditions gradually.

Sometimes the process of caring for a lemon at home is comparable in terms of the hassle of caring for small children - it is difficult at the beginning, but all the work is rewarded when the tree begins to grow actively.

A lemon tree with bright fruits and rich dark foliage adorns the windowsill and lures sunlight into the room. Even without much care, it's evergreen large plant will be covered with white flowers exuding aroma, and at least one or two fruits. The lemon tree lives from 50 to 100-150 years, which means that it can be passed on as a family heirloom. Competent care of lemon in a pot at home will give results - the tree will annually delight you with a harvest of tasty and healthy fruits.

Description of the culture and the best varieties

Lemon is a Mediterranean guest but was born in India. From there, the beautiful tree got to the countries of America and Africa. IN southern regions whole groves of these picturesque trees can be found everywhere. Does not occur in the wild. Citrina pulp is saturated with acids, vitamins and microelements:

• citric acid - the main constituent of citrus;
• pectins, flavonoids, phytoncides, essential oils - concentrated in the peel, as well as in the pulp;
• vitamins C, B, D, PP;
• ascorbic acid, tocopherol, riboflavin and others;
• trace elements - iron, boron, copper, fluorine, zinc, manganese and others.

For growing at home, only specially bred dwarf varieties are suitable, well leafy and abundantly fruiting. To grow a real lemon tree on the windowsill, you can go in three ways:

1. Buy a sapling in the agricultural sector.
2. Plant a seed in a pot.
3. Root a stalk from another adult plant.

The easiest way is to go the first way, the more difficult - the second. But in any case, care is required for the grown lemon.

For successful farming at home, you can choose one of the popular varieties.

Pavlovsky	Shade tolerant. The maximum height is up to 2 meters. Flowering - in the third year after planting in the midst of spring and in October. Yields up to 15 fruits with a thin skin and a pleasant, not pungent taste
Meyer	Height - up to 1.5 m. Cold-resistant, productive, remontant. Blossoms in spring, bears fruit all year round. Lemons are thin-skinned, orange pulp with sourness
Panderosa	Height up to one and a half meters. A hybrid of lemon with grapefruit and citron. Unpretentious. An adult plant has thorns. Blooms frequently and profusely, 2-3 times a year. Fruits are large with a thick skin
Lunario	Height 1-1.5 m. It blooms with short interruptions all year round. The fruits are elongated, pointed in shape, the skin is thin, the taste is slightly acidic, fragrant. There may be no seeds at all. The branches are long, the plant needs trellis
Lisbon	Drought-resistant, cold-resistant. Demanding on lighting. The tree is large, heavily leafy. Bears fruit abundantly, up to 60 pieces per year. The shape of lemons is round or slightly elongated, the peel is thin, smooth, the taste is rich, aromatic, not very sour

How to care for lemon

Taking care of the southern guest includes the usual set for any cultivated plant - lighting requirements, watering, transplanting, feeding and treatment. Since a lemon is a tree growing in a room, it is necessary to cut off excess branches and form a crown.

Lighting and temperature

Lemon is a southern plant, it loves brightness, but young trees do not tolerate direct sun well. It is necessary to shade them or put them on the east window. In order for the crown to form beautifully and harmoniously, the plant must be turned to the light in different directions. Mature tree tolerates heat well. In the summer, it is useful to put the pot with the plant on the loggia, in the fresh air, and in the winter to supplement it with a phytolamp. Lack of lighting negatively affects the plant as a whole - the leaves lose their rich color, and the fruits become sour.

The air temperature near the tree should be within certain limits, depending on the stage of life of the lemon:

• during the period of active growth and flowering - 17 ° C. If this threshold is exceeded, the buds will fall off. You can take the pot out to the balcony;
• with the beginning of fruiting - 20 ° C;
• dormant period - 14-17 ° С.

Fluctuations and non-observance of the temperature regime are fraught with diseases.

Humidity and watering

A young plant does not like dry air, so it needs to be watered and sprayed in a timely manner. Waterlogging is unacceptable. Winter watering should not be frequent, it is enough to spill the soil once a week with settled thawed or just warm boiled water, preferably acidified. Between waterings, the soil should dry out by about one centimeter, but not more, otherwise the lemon will begin to dry out. For better water absorption, the soil must be carefully loosened, and so that it does not harden, you can put mulch on top. In summer, it is hot and bright on the windowsill, so the earth dries out quickly, and the leaves are dehydrated. Starting in March, watering is required up to 3 times a week, but not plentiful - the roots can rot. The trickle of water should go along the perimeter of the pot, and not under the root.

Growing and caring for lemon should take place in conditions of high humidity (60-70 ° C). To do this, you can put a bowl of water on the windowsill, but it is better to buy a special humidifier. Humid air is more important to this subtropical plant than watered roots.

It is necessary to spray the foliage with warm water from a spray bottle. In winter, the air in the apartments is very dry due to central heating, and in summer the hot sun shines through the windows. To avoid sunburn, spraying should be carried out in the morning or in the evening, so that the leaves have time to dry out before the sun hits the window. It is very useful to arrange spa treatments once a week under a warm shower. In order not to flood the soil, it must be protected with foil.

How to feed a lemon?

Lemon can bloom and bear fruit in the 2-3rd year. Indoor lemon care is:

• timely watering;
• regular spraying;
• competent feeding.

Once a month, after watering, add a dose of dissolved in water to the soil nitrogen fertilization(urea or ammonium nitrate - 2 g per 1 liter of water). This is especially true for poor soil organic matter. Nitrogen gives strength to plants, during the spring and summer a powerful leaf apparatus is formed, with which the tree safely transfers all the hardships of winter. Can be watered with diluted slurry of low concentration (1:30).

In no case should you fertilize with microelements. Unlike other plants, lemon has no hairs on the roots. Mycorrhiza fungi play their role. They seem to stick to the roots of the lemon, and through them the whole plant is nourished. Mycorrhiza themselves feed on organic matter, for example, humus. They decompose it, forming valuable substances, which they feed themselves first, and then feed the lemon. Trace elements kill mycorrhiza, thus, the tree is depleted and will soon die. Excessive nitrogen nutrition is not for lemon. The tree can grow with a strong crown to the detriment of fruiting.

Starting from the second year, in addition to nitrogen, it is necessary to use phosphorus and potassium. Superphosphate can be scattered over the ground and will slowly but surely feed the plant. Phosphorus contributes abundant flowering and fruiting. The flowering period of the lemon tree is spring, autumn. Single buds appear throughout the year. Fruiting period: after flowering, a fruit is formed that will grow and gain strength for 9 months. This can happen at any time. After harvesting in the spring, it is necessary to feed with urea (or saltpeter) and superphosphate. If the crop was harvested in the fall, you cannot feed it, since the plant goes into dormancy and excess nutrition will only weaken it. Transfer top dressing to February.

Transfer

The first can be done after buying a young seedling in a pot, but first it must stand in quarantine for a week away from other plants. During this time, you will make sure that the lemon is healthy and not infected with spider mites. When deciding whether a transplant is needed, inspect the soil - are the roots visible, are they protruding from the drainage hole, is the pot visually small. If the question of transplanting is resolved positively, wet the soil, tilt the pot and, holding by the stem, very carefully pull out the plant with a lump of earth. Examine the lump - the roots should not stick out of it. If it smells like rot, gently free the root system above your pelvis. It can be immersed in warm water and cleaned of the earth in it.

Examine the roots, remove bad, blackened, rotten ones. Pour drainage into a slightly larger pot, then half of the soil mixture, place the plant upright, spread the roots and fill it with earth, not reaching a couple of centimeters to the top. Water and place in partial shade without drafts, let the plant come to its senses and get used to the new place.

For the first 2-3 weeks after transplanting, keep under a plastic bag with "ventilation" and gradually accustom to air. If a seedling is placed without covering, it may die. Keep it out of direct sunlight to avoid scalding. After the plant has grown a little stronger and got used to the air, remove the plastic cover. Watering can already be combined with top dressing.

For the first three years, the lemon is transplanted annually. The size of the next pot should be 2-3 cm larger in diameter and depth than the previous one. Then the tree should be transplanted into a larger vessel once every five years.

Diseases and pests

Indoor lemon is susceptible to viral, bacterial, fungal infections, and pests settle on it.

Gomoz	Brown spots on the trunk and branches, then the bark dies off. A golden gummy liquid is released from the cracks, solidifying in air	Cortex injuries. Overflowing soil, lack of potassium and phosphorus, excess nitrogen	Cut off all the affected areas and branches, treat the wounds with a 3% solution of copper sulfate, cover with garden varnish
Root rot	Leaf shedding. Visually no damage is visible. You need to get the plant and examine 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 the pest is the scabbard. It secretes a sugary liquid on which a black fungus settles	Soap solution (per liter of water 2 tbsp. liquid soap), rub the entire plant. Rinse off after an hour. Repeat after 2 days. Garlic broth, insecticide solution. Systematic flushing of foliage with clean cold water
Scab	Putrid spots on young foliage, branches. The plant sheds fruits	Fungus	Trimming all affected parts. Spraying the crown with 1% Bordeaux liquid
Anthracnose	Yellowing, falling foliage, drying of branches. Red spots on fruits	Fungus	Removing dead branches. Three times spraying of the tree with "Fitosporin" or 1% solution of Bordeaux liquid
Tristeza	Foliage falls, bark dies	The virus infects weak, neglected lemons	There is no cure, the plant dies
Sheet mosaic	Dark or light stripes on the leaves. Then their deformation, stopping the development of the lemon		There is no cure. You can reduce the manifestations of regular feeding
Citrus Cancer	Brown spots of various shapes on leaves and fruits. The fruits are bent, the tree dies		It is impossible to cure. For prevention: spring treatment with liquid copper fungicide
Root and common aphids	Foliage drying, twisting	Pest	Removal of diseased leaves. Spraying with decoction of garlic peel, insecticides. Complex feeding. Transplant into new soil
Spider mite	Rolling leaves, cobweb	Dry indoor air	Solution 1% boric acid... It will take up to 5 sprays
Melseco	Shoots dry out, foliage falls off starting from the ends of the branches. Branch break is colored red	Lack of lighting. In winter, there was not enough light, the plant was not supplemented	There is no cure, just observation. If no improvement is seen, the plant is destroyed.

Why does the lemon not bloom and bear fruit?

Gifts are expected from the citrus tree. Scattered with white flowers and then yellow fruits, it becomes a decoration of the room. But sometimes expectations are in vain - an adult plant does not want to please the owners. The reasons for the failure may be as follows:

• Late or inaccurate transplant. The tree must be transferred annually for the first 3 years into a larger pot and into fresh soil, while ensuring that the root system is not injured. Then the transplant is done at regular intervals, for example, once every 5 years.
• Improper watering. Cold water is a shock, the ovaries will fall off. Infrequent irrigation also causes the buds to dry out and fall off.
• Lack of sunlight. During the period of increased growth and preparation for ovaries, lemon needs a lot of sun.
• Unsuitable soil. Alkaline or strongly acidic doesn't like citrus. It is optimal to use slightly acidic soil.
• Stressful situations. Frequent movements of the pot from shade to light, from heat to draft cause stress, and the lemon refuses to bloom and bear fruit.

If you take good care of your tree, it will generously reward you with beautiful and long flowering, and then a bountiful harvest of ecologically clean and extremely healthy lemons - fragrant and tasty.

Plant lemon (lat.Citrus limon)- a species of the genus Citrus of the Rutaceae family. The homeland of lemon is China, India and the tropical Pacific islands. Most likely, the lemon tree is a naturally occurring hybrid plant that developed as a separate species of the Citrus genus and was introduced into cultivation in India and Pakistan in the 12th century, and then spread throughout North Africa, the Middle East and southern Europe. Today, lemon is widely cultivated in countries with subtropical climates - the annual harvest of its fruits is approximately 14 million tons. Among the leaders in the cultivation of lemons are countries such as India, Mexico, Italy and the United States.

The plant is also of interest for indoor floriculture - homemade lemon has been popular in many countries of the world for more than three hundred years. Lemon is grown in room culture, not only because of its decorative effect: the fruits of some varieties of homemade lemon are just as tasty as the fruits of lemons ripening under the southern sun.

Planting and caring for lemon (in short)

• Bloom: at home - at different times.
• Lighting: short day plant. The best place the apartment has southern and eastern windowsills shaded from the sun in the afternoon. In order for the lemon to develop symmetrically, it must be rotated 10˚ around its axis every 10 days. In winter, you will need additional artificial lighting within 5-6 hours daily.
• Temperature: during the growth period - 17 ˚C, during the budding period - no more than 14-18 ˚C, during the growth of fruits - 22 ˚C and more. In winter - 12-14 ˚C.
• Watering: from May to September - daily, then no more than 2 times a week.
• Air humidity: periodic spraying of the leaves with warm boiled water is recommended, especially in summer heat and in winter, when heating devices are working.
• Top dressing: complex mineral fertilizers. During the period of active growth, young plants are fed once every one and a half months, adults - once every 3-4 weeks. From the middle of autumn, feeding is gradually reduced: if a lemon grows in a heated room in winter, it is fed once every one and a half months, if the tree has entered a dormant period, it does not need feeding. The fertilizer solution is applied to a pre-moistened substrate.
• Rest period: in winter, but not pronounced.
• Transfer: in spring, at the beginning of active growth. Young lemons are transplanted once a year or two, mature lemons once every 2-3 years, when the roots appear from the drain holes.
• Reproduction: seeds, cuttings and grafting.
• Pests: spider mites, whiteflies, root and common aphids, mealybugs, scale insects.
• Diseases: chlorosis, tristeza, citrus cancer, homoz, scab, anthracnose, leaf viral mosaic, root rot, melseco.

Read more about growing lemons below.

Homemade lemon - description

The indoor lemon is a perennial evergreen undersized plant with strong thorny branches. The tops of its young shoots are purple-violet. Lemon leaves are leathery, green, oblong-oval, serrated, with a large number of glands containing essential oil. Each leaf lives for 2-3 years. The buds of the plant develop in about five weeks. The opened lemon flower lives from 7 to 9 weeks, and all this time, the lemon blossom is accompanied by a wonderful fragrance.

Ripening of fruits from the moment of formation of the ovary to full maturity can last more than nine months. Indoor lemon fruits are egg-shaped with a nipple at the top, they are covered with a yellow pitted or lumpy skin with a strong characteristic odor. The greenish-yellow, juicy and sour pulp of the fruit is divided into 9-14 slices. White, irregularly ovoid lemon seeds are covered with a dense parchment shell.

We will tell you how to create conditions for growing lemon in an ordinary apartment, how to grow a lemon from a seed at home, how to water a lemon, why lemon leaves turn yellow, what pests and diseases of home lemons are most dangerous, how to plant a lemon at home , what are the valuable properties of lemon fruits, and you will definitely want to decorate your home with this beautiful and useful plant.

Indoor pitted lemon

How to grow lemon at home

The easiest way to grow homemade lemon from the seed. Germination seeds can be obtained from store-bought fruits. The fruits should be ripe, uniform yellow in color, and the seeds in them should be ripe and mature. Pitted lemon needs a substrate of a certain composition: mix in equal parts peat and flower soil from a store to make the composition light and permeable. The pH of the soil should be in the range of pH 6.6-7.0.

How to plant a lemon

Place a layer of drainage material, substrate in a suitable container and plant the lemon seeds in it to a depth of 1-2 cm immediately after removing them from the fruit. Keep crops in a bright place at a temperature of 18-22 ºC, keeping the soil slightly damp, and after two weeks the seeds will germinate.

How to care for lemon seedlings

A lemon from a stone at home is watered with water at room temperature, the soil is carefully loosened in pots, and when a pair of true leaves develops in the sprouts, the strongest seedlings are transplanted into separate pots with a diameter of 10 cm and covered to create the desired microclimate glass jar... Once a day, the can is removed for a short while to ventilate the seedlings. Lemons can be kept in this dish until they reach a height of 15-20 cm, after which they are transplanted into larger pots. Lemon is planted by transshipment. Before transplanting a lemon, remember that each subsequent pot for an adult lemon should be 5-6 cm larger than the previous one in diameter, since in a too spacious container, the soil that is not occupied by roots begins to sour from moisture. At the bottom of the pot, be sure to lay a thick layer of drainage - expanded clay, broken foam, charcoal or pebbles. A flower mixture from a store or garden soil fertilized with humus is quite suitable as a soil. When transplanting, do not bury the root collar in the ground - this can cause it to rot.

Lemon potted care

Growing conditions for indoor lemon

How to grow homemade lemon? Growing homemade lemon is not easy, but rewarding. First of all, it is necessary to create optimal conditions for it. Since lemon is a plant with short daylight hours, it tolerates a lack of light. Long daylight hours stimulate the rapid growth of the lemon, but delays the onset of fruiting. The best place for a plant in an apartment is the southern and eastern window sills, however, in the afternoon, the windows need to be shaded. To prevent the tree from growing one-sided, rotate it every 10 days around its axis by 10 º. In winter, if the lemon is not resting, it is advisable to arrange artificial lighting for it daily for 5-6 hours.

Temperature for lemon

17 ºC is enough for lemon to grow. The most comfortable temperature for a lemon during the budding period is 14-18 ºC, in hotter conditions the lemon sheds ovaries and buds. And during the growth of fruits, it is advisable to increase the temperature of the content to 22 and more ºC. When the warm days come, the lemon can be taken out into the garden, balcony or terrace, but be careful not to damage the plant. sharp drop temperatures - wrap or cover it at night. In winter, lemon is comfortable in a room with a temperature of 12-14 ºC, away from heating appliances, where the plant will remain dormant to gain strength for the next fruiting.

Watering lemon

Lemon in room conditions needs daily watering from May to September, the rest of the time, the frequency of moistening is about twice a week. Saturate the substrate with moisture, but let it dry before watering again. It is advisable to use water filtered or at least separated during the day. The water temperature for irrigation should be the same as the room temperature. If for any reason the lemon is long time to be exposed to waterlogging, you will have to completely replace the substrate in which it grows.

Growing lemon at home requires spraying the leaves plants with warm boiled water, especially in winter, when the heating devices in the room are working at full strength. However, in this matter it is necessary to observe moderation, otherwise problems caused by fungal diseases may arise. If the lemon rests in the cool in winter, you do not need to spray the leaves.

Lemon fertilization

Lemon at home needs regular feeding. Complex mineral compositions can be used as fertilizers. Young plants are fertilized once every one and a half months, adults more often: the frequency of fertilization in the spring-summer period is once every two to three weeks. Since mid-autumn, fertilizing is reduced: if your tree grows without rest all year round, in winter, fertilize an adult lemon once a month and a half, and if it rests in winter, it does not need fertilizing at all. Be sure to water the potting medium with clean water two hours before fertilizing.

Of organic fertilizers, lemon prefers an ash extract, an infusion of quinoa or birch leaves (half a can of crushed leaves is poured with water and insisted for 2-3 days), an infusion of fresh manure diluted 5-6 times. The frequency of application of organic matter is the same as for mineral fertilizers.

If you notice that there is an intensive growth of the green mass, and fruiting does not occur, remove the nitrogen component from the dressings, and increase the phosphorus one.

Lemon pruning

Lemon maintenance includes pruning it regularly. The crown of a lemon is formed depending on what it is grown for. If you need it as an ornamental plant, then the crown is formed compact and small in size, but if you need lemon fruits, then the crown is formed differently. A fruiting lemon must have a certain number of main branches and the necessary mass of growing shoots, and most of these shoots must consist of fruit wood. The crown is formed by pinching: as soon as the first zero shoot stretches to 20-25 cm, it is pinched, the next pinching of the shoot is done at a height of 15-20 cm from the previous pinching, leaving 4 developed buds on the segment between two pinches, which subsequently form 3-4 main escape aimed in different directions. The first-order shoots are pinched after 20-30 cm, and when they mature, they are cut off about 5 cm below the pinching point. Each subsequent shoot should be about 5 cm shorter than the previous one. The formation of the crown on the fourth-order shoots is completed. If you do not prune the lemon, its branches grow too long, and the formation of shoots of the third and fourth order, on which the fruits are formed, is delayed.

Pruning, in addition to the formative function, also carries sanitary: as necessary, weak shoots and those branches that grow inside the crown should be removed.

Lemon pests and diseases

Lemon turns yellow

Amateur flower growers often ask us why the lemon turns yellow. There are several reasons for this phenomenon. Lemon turns yellow:

• if the air in the room is dry;
• if the plant is lacking nutrition;
• if in winter he is in a too warm room;
• when affected by a spider mite.

All the reasons, except the last one, are easily removable, and as for spider mites, drugs such as Actellik, Akarin, Kleschevit and Fitoverm will help to cope with them. Do not violate the rules of caring for homemade lemon, keep it cool in winter, do not forget to humidify the air in the room where the lemon grows, make the necessary fertilizing on time, and your tree will be healthy and green.

Lemon drops

To the question why lemons fall, which our readers often ask, the answer is also ambiguous. We, of course, do not mean the fruit of the lemon, which can hang on the tree after ripening for up to two years. The phrase "lemons fall" in the letters of readers means the loss of leaves by the plant. Leaves fall off the lemon, eaten by spider mites, which feed on the cell sap of plants. How to deal with these pests using insecticides, we described in the previous section. But you can, without resorting to pesticides, process the lemon with a two-day infusion of a teaspoon of grated onion in a glass of water.

Leaves and sometimes lemon buds fall from a lack of moisture in the soil and in the air around the plant. Remember to water and spray the tree regularly, especially during hot seasons.

Lemon dries

It happens that the tips of the lemon leaves dry and turn brown. The reason for this is lack of moisture or dry air. And if the leaves dry up and curl, this is evidence that you are not properly looking after it. Reconsider the rules for caring for the plant: lemon needs bright lighting with shading at midday, humid air, frequent but moderate watering, regular feeding and a good winter rest.

Lemon pests

In addition to spider mites, lemon can be harmed by whiteflies, aphids, mealybugs and scale insects. As a folk remedy for getting rid of pests, many use an infusion of 150-170 g of chopped garlic in a liter of water. Insist the garlic in a tightly closed container for five days, after which 6 g of the strained infusion is diluted in 1 liter of water and the lemon is processed. The agent is effective only if there are few insects. If the lemon is inhabited by a large number of pests, you will have to resort to insecticide treatment.

Indoor lemon - reproduction

Lemon from cuttings

In addition to the seed method of lemon propagation, cuttings and grafting are also used in indoor floriculture. For cuttings, shoots are taken with a thickness of at least 4 mm and a length of 10 cm. The lower cut should pass directly under the bud, and the upper cut above the bud. Each cutting should have 2-3 leaves and 3-4 formed buds. Treat the cuttings with a root stimulant and lower the bottom cut halfway into the water. After 3 days, the cuttings are planted to a depth of 3 cm in pots with a soil mixture consisting of equal parts of coarse sand, humus and flower soil. Since the absence of roots in cuttings does not allow them to receive moisture from the soil, it is necessary to spray their leaves with warm, settled water several times a day every day. The soil in the pot should be slightly damp. Optimum temperature for rooting cuttings 20-25 ºC. At proper care the roots of the cuttings will develop in a month and a half, and then it will be possible to plant them in separate containers.

How to plant lemon

It is important to have a good rootstock for grafting a lemon. This is a two-three-year-old seedling grown from a seed with a trunk diameter of no more than 1.5 cm. Lemon is also grafted onto the rootstocks of other citrus fruits. Graft cuttings are taken from mature, but not lignified, annual shoots of healthy trees. Leaves are cut from the prepared cuttings, leaving only their petioles with buds in the axils. Before grafting, cuttings can be stored wrapped in a damp cloth for 2-3 days in a cool place or 2-3 weeks in a vegetable box of the refrigerator, but it is better to cut them just before the procedure.

Vaccination is carried out during the active growth of the lemon, and the most suitable time for this is spring. Best tool- an eyepiece knife, but if you do not have one, you can do with an ordinary sharpened and sterilized knife. How to plant homemade lemon? Make a T-shaped cut in the bark on the stem of the rootstock and carefully fold back the corners. Cut off the bud from the scion cuttings along with the petiole and the shield - part of the bark with thin layer wood - long enough to fit into the T-notch. Taking the scion by the stalk and not touching the cut with your hands, place the shield under the turned bark into a T-shaped incision, then press the bark tightly and wrap the stem of the rootstock over and under the bud with eyepiece tape or plaster. For insurance, it is better to inoculate two or three kidneys at the same time. The engraftment lasts for three weeks. If the petiole of the grafted kidney turns yellow and falls off, then the vaccination was successful. In this case, cut the stem of the scion 10 cm above the graft site, remove the eyepiece tape and remove the shoots that appear on the stem below the graft.

In addition to grafting by the kidney, methods of budding are used, such as grafting with a graft and grafting into the side slit.

Types and varieties of homemade lemon

At home, stunted and medium-sized plant varieties are usually grown. Lemon varieties differ, in addition to the size and shape of the crown, the degree of adaptability to growing conditions, as well as quality, appearance and the size of the fruit. We offer you an acquaintance with the most popular varieties of homemade lemon:

Pavlovsky lemon

- This is a variety of folk selection, which was bred more than a century ago in the village of Pavlovo near Nizhny Novgorod. Pavlovsky lemon is the most common variety in indoor culture. The trees of this variety reach a height of 1.5-2 m and have a compact rounded crown up to 1 m in diameter. Fruits, the number of which reaches from 20 to 40 pieces per year, are distinguished by high taste superior to outdoor lemons. Often the fruits of Pavlovsky lemon do not have seeds or contain a small number of them, although there are fruits that contain from 10 to 20 seeds. The thickness of the shiny, smooth and only slightly bumpy or rough peel of the fruit is about 5 mm. It can be eaten with the pulp. Fruit length is about 10 cm, diameter is from 5 to 7 cm, weight is 120-150 g, but in some cases the weight of the fruit can reach 500 g;

Meyer's lemon

or Chinese dwarf was introduced from China, first to the United States, and after it gained recognition in America due to its yield, it became popular in Europe. It is believed to be derived from the red-orange Cantonese lemon, although according to another version it is a natural hybrid between lemon and orange. It is a small plant with a height of 1-1.5 m with a densely leafy spherical crown and a small number of thorns. Fruits weighing up to 150 g are covered with a thin orange or bright yellow skin. The pulp is slightly acidic, slightly bitter, juicy. The variety is distinguished by its yield and early maturity;

Novogruzinsky

- a young fruitful tall variety - the height of a tree can reach 2 m or more. The crown is spreading, with numerous thorns. Yellow fruits of round or elliptical shape, weighing up to 150 g, with a thin shiny peel, have a pleasant taste. Every year, with good care, the tree can give from 100 to 200 fruits, while the Novogruzinsky lemon is one of the most undemanding crop varieties;

Lisbon

- this lemon is originally from Portugal, and it gained popularity only when it got to Australia. It is a fast-growing tree, reaching a height of 2 m, with a dense crown, strong branches with a lot of thorns. The tree is capable of producing up to 60 fruits a year, weighing an average of 150 g, although fruits weighing up to half a kilogram do occur. The fruits of this variety have a classic oval shape with a slightly beveled top, their peel is thick, slightly ribbed, yellow in color. The pulp has a pleasant sour taste. The variety has good adaptability to keeping conditions, which helps the plant to tolerate low air humidity normally;

Genoa

- a productive variety of Italian selection brought to us from America. The tree of this variety reaches a height of only 130 cm. The crown is dense, and there are practically no thorns in it. Small fruits weighing up to 120 g of an elongated shape with a rough greenish-yellow peel with aromatic, juicy, palatable pulp appear on the tree several times a year. In total, the variety produces up to 180 fruits per year;

Maykop lemon

reaches a height of 130 cm, is characterized by unpretentiousness and high yield, has several forms. Fruit weight 150-170 g, oval-oblong shape, with a slight thickening in the lower part. The skin of the fruit is thin, ribbed, shiny;

Anniversary

- this variety was obtained by Uzbek breeders as a result of crossing Novogruzinsky and Tashkent varieties. This hybrid is distinguished by its unpretentiousness, shade tolerance and early maturity. The fruits of the Yubileiny variety are large, rounded, with a thick yellow skin. Fruit weight reaches 500-600 g;

Ponderosa

- a natural hybrid of citron and lemon. It is one of the most unpretentious citruses, resistant to drought and heat. Plants of this variety reach a height of 1.5-1.8 cm, and have a spreading crown. The fruits of Ponderosa are oval or round, weighing up to 500 g, with a thick, bright yellow rough skin. Their flesh is juicy, pleasant sour taste, light green in color. The variety is distinguished by its early maturity and exactingness to the composition of the soil;

Lunario

- decorative and high-yielding hybrid of papeda and lemon, bred in the nineteenth century in Sicily. The name of the variety is due to the fact that it blooms on the new moon. Lunario represents trees no more than half a meter high with a large number of small thorns. Fruits of an ovoid or oblong-elliptical shape with a smooth and shiny rind of a rich yellow color contain a slightly juicy, but fragrant greenish-yellow pulp with 10-11 seeds;

Villa Franca

- a variety of American selection, which is a tree with almost no thorns up to 130 cm high with a large number of emerald green leaves. Smooth, oblong-oval with a blunt nipple, wedge-shaped fruits with a juicy, aromatic, pleasant-tasting light yellow pulp weigh only 100 g. The peel of the fruit is dense, almost smooth to the touch;

Irkutsk large-fruited

- recently bred light-loving Russian variety, which is a medium-sized tree with a crown that does not need to be formed. Fruits with an average thickness of a bumpy skin are very large - weighing up to 700 g, but some can reach one and a half kilograms;

Kursk

- also a Russian variety, obtained through experiments with the Novogruzinsky variety. The Kurskiy variety is distinguished by its early maturity, drought resistance, shade tolerance, relative cold resistance and high yield. Plants of this variety reach a height of 150-180 cm. The weight of thin-skinned fruits reaches 130 g;

Commune

- a very popular variety of Italian selection in its homeland, characterized by increased productivity. It is a medium-sized plant with a dense crown and a few small thorns. Fruits are large, oval, almost without seeds, with juicy, aromatic, delicate pulp of a very sour taste. The rind is of medium thickness, slightly bumpy.

The varieties of indoor lemon New Zealand, Tashkent, Moskovsky, Mezensky, Uralsky indoor and others are also successfully grown in culture.

Lemon properties - harm and benefit

Useful properties of lemon

In the popular literature, the beneficial properties of lemon have been described many times. But since it is always pleasant to write about good things, we are ready to once again cover in detail the topic "The harm and benefits of lemon". So, what is the use of lemon? Its fruits contain:

• citric and malic acid;
• trace elements iron, potassium, copper, manganese and iodine;
• Sahara;
• pectins;
• flavonoids and phytoncides;
• fiber;
• vitamins A, B, P, D, C and group B - B2, B1, B9.

Due to the presence of these components in lemon fruits, it has:

• tonic;
• refreshing;
• antipyretic;
• bactericidal;
• strengthening action.

In addition, lemon juice is a source of citrine, which, in combination with vitamin C, has a beneficial effect on redox processes, metabolism and strengthens the walls of blood vessels.

Possessing a strong bactericidal action Lemon helps the body to cope with the flu, but for this it must be consumed with tea made from mint, plantain, horsetail and sage.

By restoring the digestive processes, lemon helps to remove toxins and toxins from the intestines, helps to cope with respiratory tract infections and oral cavity, relieves or relieves migraine pain, eliminates rashes and boils on the skin. In addition to the listed advantages, it must be said that lemon is a good diuretic.

Despite the sour taste, lemon is able to lower the acidity of gastric juice. Lemon juice and its peel are excellent antiseptics, and the leaves of the plant are successfully used to lower the temperature. Due to the high content of vitamin C, lemon has a strengthening effect on the immune system.

Lemon is part of many medicinal preparations that relieve inflammation, kill germs and worms, heal wounds, strengthen the body and reduce the manifestation of sclerosis. The use of lemons for food is indicated for atherosclerosis, lung diseases, poisoning, vitamin deficiency and hypovitaminosis. It is useful even for pregnant women.

Baths with the addition of lemon juice relieve sweating and tired feet, rinsing the mouth with lemon juice strengthens the gums and tooth enamel. If you regularly eat lemons, diseases such as colds, tonsillitis, tonsillitis, vitamin deficiency, urolithiasis and cholelithiasis, gout, atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus will not pose a danger to you. And this is not a complete list of health problems that the yellow sour fruit will relieve you of. Isn't that a good enough reason to grow indoor lemon at home?

Lemon - contraindications

And what can be the harm of lemon, and for whom can it be harmful? Lemon is contraindicated in hepatitis, increased acidity of the stomach, gastritis, inflammatory diseases of the kidneys, gallbladder and intestines. Moderation in the use of lemon fruits should be observed for hypertensive patients and patients with pancreatitis. In rare cases, the consumption of lemons can cause an allergic reaction, since the supplying companies process the fruits chemical means extending the shelf life. For some, lemon can cause heartburn, and for people with a sore throat or nasal lining, lemon juice is almost certainly irritating.

Florists are increasingly taking to growing lemon at home... The reason is the beautiful ornamental form of the plant, as well as the ability to get a harvest. In favorable conditions, they bear fruit regularly. The plant exudes a pleasant smell essential oils that are present in the leaves.

Homemade lemon - plant description

Lemon is a perennial subtropical tree with large glossy oblong leaves. Many lemons have thorns. This fruiting citrus plant is tree-like (up to 5-8 m in height) and bushy (up to 3-4 m).

Lemon blooms several times throughout the year. The flowers are medium-sized, with white or cream petals. During flowering, they exude a subtle, delicate aroma.

Choosing a homemade lemon variety

For growing at home, varieties with a small crown are chosen.

Popular varieties:

How to grow more crops?

Any gardener and summer resident is pleased to receive a large harvest with large fruits. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to obtain the desired result.

Plants often lack nutrition and minerals.

It has the following properties:

• Allows increase yield by 50% in just a few weeks of use.
• You can get a good harvest even on low fertile soils and in adverse climatic conditions
• Absolutely safe

How to grow a lemon from a seed?

Growing technology:

The seed-grown lemon is quite strong and vigorous. Resistant to disease, quickly adapts to new conditions.

But a seed plant has different biological characteristics. The first fruits will appear in 10-15 years and the properties of the variety may be lost.

To harvest early, seed-grown lemon must be grafted. Then for 3 years it will begin to bear fruit.

How to care for a lemon in a pot?

When buying, make sure that the lemon growing in the pot is dwarf variety... It is advisable to immediately find a suitable place and not move it.

Let us analyze step by step the agricultural technique of care:

Lighting

Lighting requirements:

Temperature

Temperature requirements:

1. The optimum temperature for the growth of leaves and shoots is 17 degrees, and for the development of fruits 21-22. Too much high temperatures harmful, especially at low humidity.
2. This difference occurs in late spring or early summer. The temperature rises sharply, which can cause flowers and ovaries to fall off. And in the autumn, for the same reason, leaves may fall.
3. In summer, the lemon pot is placed on the loggia or terrace. Soil temperature should not drastically differ from air temperature.
4. The temperature should be raised gradually, without stressing the plant. If the flowerpot has been outside for a long time, and when it gets cold, it is brought directly into a warm room, the soil does not have time to warm up.
5. If the temperature is too low, the growth process slows down or stops altogether and flowering.

Lemon needs to provide an average stable temperature, without sudden jumps.

Watering

Instilled in watering citrus:

Fertilizer

Regular feeding is an important factor in proper lemon care:

1. Initially, the land must be enriched with nutrients, minerals and organic substances.
2. Fertilize in hot weather twice a month with complex fertilizers.
3. In the fall, feeding is stopped. As a rule, plants of 3-4 years of age and above need it.

Pruning and shaping the crown

Lemon branches grow strong and long. They are pruned and guided, otherwise a very voluminous crown will form.

Features of care in winter

How to care for lemon during the cold season:

1. In winter, during the heating season, it is better not to place the plant near heating appliances.
2. You can spray the leaves and additionally humidify the air in the room. Or place a container with water nearby for evaporation.
3. It is very important to ensure that the leaves of the plant do not fall off. This happens most often during the winter. Their presence and healthy condition is a sign that the plant is growing and developing normally.
4. Lemon does not like drafts, especially in winter.

Stories from our readers!
“I am a summer resident with many years of experience, and I started using this fertilizer only last year. I tested it on the most capricious vegetable in my garden - on tomatoes. The bushes grew and bloomed together, they gave more harvest than usual. And they did not suffer from late blight, this is the main thing.

Fertilizer really gives more intensive growth garden plants, and they bear fruit much better. Now you cannot grow a normal crop without fertilization, and this feeding increases the amount of vegetables, so I am very pleased with the result. "

Indoor lemon pests and diseases

When growing homemade lemon, they take into account the characteristics of a particular variety in order to know how to protect it from pests or diseases. The reason may be infections, weakening of immunity plants or some folk ways fertilizers.

Possible diseases and pests of lemon:

Problems of growing lemon

Change in appearance	The reason and what to do?
	Causes: be dry air; lack of nutrition; or the acidity of the earth is not suitable. What to do: Requires high air humidity, top dressing and cool wintering. If it doesn't help, then transplant the lemon.
Leaves fall	Cause: On average, a leaf lives for 2-3 years and is replaced with aging. Most often, the leaves fall off in winter. This is most likely the consequences of an overflow. What to do: We need to transplant a lemon. Remove plant and soil from the pot. Allow the root system to dry out a little and transplant into barely damp soil. Do not overflow.
	Cause: The leaves turn yellowish brown. The reason is insufficient lighting. Or the humidity is too low. What to do: It is necessary to spray more often, water in moderation. You can add water to the root area. And spray the crown. And also feed regularly.

If the lemon does not bear fruit, the reasons may be as follows:

1. Lemon does not bear fruit without leaves. If, due to improper care, the plant has lost a lot of leaves, then next year it will not form fruits.
2. Lemon does not bear fruit unless it blooms. Most likely, the pot is too small for him. The plant should be transplanted and fertilized.

Reproduction of lemon at home

Homemade lemon is propagated by cuttings. With this type of reproduction, a 100% copy of the parent's genetic data occurs. Cuttings are branches that have reached 4-5 mm in thickness and about 10 cm in length.

How to propagate a lemon:

And also the cutting is grafted on a tree that has grown from a stone. The stock is a tree grown from a stone. A graft is a branch cut from an adult fruit-bearing tree.

It is advisable to cut the stalk before the procedure itself. Best time for the scion, from April to August. During this period, the active movement of the juice in the trunk, this has a beneficial effect on the procedure. High humidity also contributes to the success of the scion.

Video: Mistakes when growing lemon

Conclusion

In addition to care, prevention of diseases is also important for homemade lemon. Transplant in time, monitor the level of humidity and air temperature.

Sudden signs of illness sometimes indicate plant depletion. In this situation, limit the flowering and let the lemon recover. Follow the guidelines for keeping this citrus at home for not only a beautiful houseplant, but also healthy fruits.