Luscious Lemon Trees

Although lemons are more traditionally associated with warmer climates, such as the Mediterranean and the southern USA, there is no reason why you can't grow them in the house, greenhouse or conservatory.  Apart from yielding fruit, a lemon tree makes an exotically attractive talking point, particularly in the conservatory, and the beautiful, white blossoms produced by the tree will add colour and scent to any room.  Although lemons take an inordinately long time to ripen, usually up to around eighteen months, the results simply can't be compared to the lemons you buy in the supermarket.  They are definitely worth the wait!

If you are growing from seed make sure that the seeds you use have been thoroughly washed which will help prevent mould developing.  Plant them just below the surface in a moisture-retaining, good quality seed compost and water generously.  Place the pot in a warm environment; ideally the temperature should be around 30C  and water regularly.  Between 4-6 months later the seedlings should have sprouted and will be about six inches tall, at which time they should be repotted in 2.5 inch pots and placed in a bright location at the same temperature but out of direct sunlight.  Do bear in mind that this is a long-term project and it could take anywhere between three and five years for the plants to reach flowering size.

When potting out don't use a pot that is too big.  Like many plants, lemons prefer to remain slightly pot-bound, so opt for a 9 or 10 inch, untreated terracotta pot  and soak it for a good time before planting.  This will help prevent the clay from extracting moisture from the soil. Use a good quality potting soil such as John Innes No 3 and add a little peat based compost to the mixture.

Water the lemon regularly but do allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.  The water should not be too cold and the plant should be given a thorough soaking in order to ensure that the compost is wet through.  Ideally water the plant twice within half an hour and then leave it until the soil looks dry at the surface.

Lemon trees do require feeding regularly using a fertiliser mixed into the water.  In addition at the beginning of the growing season add a specialist feed of minerals which you can purchase from any good garden centre.  If you notice a yellowing of the leaves, it could indicate a magnesium deficiency which can be remedied by adding a weak solution of Epsom Salts.

Lemons must be protected from frost so if grown in a greenhouse it may be an idea to bring the plant indoors during the winter.  Ideally the temperature should be maintained at around 15C during the winter and double that during the summer.  Although a light frost will probably not kill the plant, it may take a very long time for it to fully recover so avoidance is the best policy. A heavy frost is quite likely to kill the lemon tree completely.

Keep the plant tidy by pruning any very long branches and try to keep the branches to a length that allows them to support the heavy fruit.  If a branch yields several large fruit you may find it necessary to provide extra support to prevent it giving way to its load and breaking.

Last but not least, when a fruit is ready to pick, pour a long, refreshing gin and tonic, add a large slice of your fresh, homegrown lemon and sip slowly, at the same time drinking in the heady fragrance of the exquisite white flowers of the tree.  A perfect way to spend a summer's evening!   

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