Lemon Tree Care - Grow your own Lemon Trees

Lemon tree varieties popular in Australia include Myer lemon trees, Eureka lemon trees and Lisbon Lemon Trees.

Dwarf lemon trees are also available. Lemon trees can be grown in pots or containers, the Meyer lemon is best suited to this. We look at diseases, pests, yellow leave, planting and general care for lemon trees.

Lemons are originated in India and then were imported to the Mediterranean, so lemons are cold sensitive, probably the least tolerant of cold of all citrus.

Lemon Tree care.

Growing lemon trees is relatively easy if you follow a few basic steps to lemon tree care.

Lemons do not like frosts.
Lemon trees need protection from frosts, lemon trees prefer a warm sunny position, in the home garden it can be a good idea to plant a lemon tree next to the house or a wall where some radiant heat will protect the lemon tree from frost.

Lemons prefer a well drained soil, clay soils should be worked with organic matter and gypsum. Once established lemons are a reasonably tough plant, occasionally deep watering and fertilization with a citrus fertilizer will help promote growth and fruiting.

Watering and Mulching Lemon Trees
Remember that lemon trees have a fairly shallow root system, during hot windy periods lemons need watering once a week. A mulch of about 6-7 cm will help preserve moisture, but remember to keep the mulch away from the trunk.

Growing Lemon Trees in Pots
Lemon Trees do well in pots or containers as long as the pot is large enough and is kept moist but is well drained. Use a good quality potting mix, NOT garden soil.

Pruning Lemon Trees.

LEMON TREE VARIETIES and TYPES
'The 'Eureka' lemon is originally from California. 'Lisbon', originated in Australia. The Meyer Lemon is from China.

Lisbon is popular because it fruits over a long period, excellent for the home garden, but it is a larger tree.
Eureka is a larger lemon with more pith, and tends to fruit all at once.

Meyer is a smaller tree, (pictured in flower at right) also good for home gardens because of its size. Again tend to fruit all at once. Probably the best lemon for growing in a pot.

Pest and Diseases of Lemon Trees.

Gall Wasp. Gall wasps lay their eggs under the bark of the lemon tree, this creates a thick lumpy appearance. Gall wasp infestations should be pruned off if possible, if not you need to cut or or scrapped back, the material removed should be burnt.
Scale. Scale can be treated by spraying with white oil.
Citrus Aphid. These are a black aphid that can be hosed away ar sprayed with a pyrethrum based spray.
Leaf Miners. Young leaves that turn a silvery color and come distorted may be infected by leaf miner, cut off and burn affected foliage.
Sooty Mould. If ants are on the lemon tree you could have 'sooty mould' use a white oil to remove sooty mould

Yellow leaves on lemon trees can be caused by a number of factors:

• If the leaves on the lower part of the tree are yellow it is probabl y poor drainage.
  Solution.If the tree is young, dig it up and plant it in a raised position, build up a mound of soil up to 50cm, especially on clay soil and replant. If its a larger tree, try to improve drainage around the tree by digging a trench outside the dripline to take water away
• Yellow leaves or veined leaves usually indicate a nutrient deficiency or a ph problem most citrus trees like a ph of 6.5 - 6.8
  Solution. Use a specialist citrus fertilizer to add nutrients. Check the ph of the soli with a ph kit. Used a citrus food to help adjust the soil, if the ph is way out consult you local nursery for soil additives to help adjust the ph.