How long do Meyer lemon trees take to produce fruit?
Most Meyer Lemons live to be about 50 years old, and they begin to fruit as early as 2 years into their lifecycle. The fruit from these trees isn’t comparable to the lemons you find at your local grocery store. Meyer Lemons are a hybrid of traditional lemons and mandarin oranges. Meyer lemon trees thrive in subtropical to temperate climates and can be grown in containers or in the ground in US Zones 9 – 11. If you live in a colder climate, you can grow them in containers and bring them indoors during the colder months.Meyer Lemon trees are evergreen and keep leaves through the winter. As I note above, if your plant is unhappy in the house, it might drop quite a few leaves. Meyer lemon plants tolerate more cold than many people realize (see below).What makes a Meyer lemon so special? The citrus is actually a cross between a lemon and an orange, a thin-skinned fruit with fragrance and flavor unlike other lemons. Meyer lemons are sweeter, juicy and slightly floral, with less acidity and more personality than we generally expect from a lemon.Meyer Lemon Tree It is definitely one of the easiest citrus trees to grow. The fruit is sweet with only a hint of tart compared to traditional lemons.Meyer Lemon Trees are the easiest citrus plants to grow indoors and they offer sweet scented blooms and fruit up to 4 times per year. Meyer lemon plants require no chill hours to fruit so they can be grown indoors all year-round.
How big will a Meyer lemon tree get?
Standard Meyer lemon trees grow to be 6–10 feet tall, while the dwarf variety grow to be 5–7 feet tall. Lemon trees have an average life span of 50 years but can live up to 100 years! Watch my video on the HISTORY OF LEMONS to learn more. PRINTABLE 📚 https://jerryjamesstone.In the right environment, lemon trees can reach fruit-bearing age in 3 to 5 years and grow up to 20 feet in a quarter century.My Meyer grows lemons very slowly but steadily over ~8 or 9 months. They stay green until full size and then change to yellow, and can stay fresh on the tree about a month after they are ripe.
Where do Meyer lemon trees grow best?
Meyer lemon trees thrive in subtropical to temperate climates and can be grown in containers or in the ground in US Zones 9 – 11. If you live in a colder climate, you can grow them in containers and bring them indoors during the colder months. Meyer lemons are sweeter, juicy and slightly floral, with less acidity and more personality than we generally expect from a lemon. If you sent the standard lemon to charm school, it might come back as a Meyer. And charm us they have. When Meyer lemons were introduced to the U. S.You can substitute an equal amount of Meyer lemon juice in any recipe calling for regular lemon juice. It won’t deliver the same puckery punch; instead, adding a more balanced sweet-sour tang and floral undertones.Not only are Meyer lemon peels edible, they’re dang delicious when done right. It’s worth noting that it’s best to eat backyard-grown or organic if you plan to eat the peels to minimize your consumption of potentially nasty chemicals.Compared to the Eureka and Lisbon lemons at the supermarket, Meyer lemons have a rounder form, thinner peels, and more of a yellow-orange hue than a true yellow. This is considered the sweetest lemon variety of the bunch.
Can I keep my Meyer lemon tree small?
The naturally mounding bush can be maintained as short as three feet tall without compromising fruit production. If you have a patio or balcony and want just one citrus tree, I recommend this one. The Meyer lemon is evergreen and bears fruit in my zone 10 garden practically year round. In containers, Meyer lemon trees grow 3 to 4 feet tall and are self-fertile, but they still need air movement or insects to distribute pollen. If kept indoors too long, fruit set may drop. Hand pollination is an option.Meyer lemons are typically ready to harvest when they have turned a deep yellow or orange color and feel firm to the touch with just a slight “give. They should also be fragrant. It’s best to harvest them when they are fully ripe for the best flavor. The heaviest harvest is usually late Winter/Spring.One great thing about Meyer Lemon is that it can bear fruit all year round. Lemons will flower and fruit more than once per year if conditions are favorable. On the coast, Meyer Lemons often have blooms and fruit in varying stages throughout the year.Meyer lemon trees are a great choice for cold-climate gardeners who want an exotic crop. They have a compact, bushy form that makes them suitable for growing in a pot, and they’re quite cold hardy—more cold hardy than true lemons. See more about hardiness below.
Which is the best lemon tree?
As far as growing citrus, if you prefer a more tradition lemon flavor, I would recommend a Eureka Lemon Tree, known for it’s vigor and abundant harvest of lemons each year. The Lisbon Lemon Tree, from Portugal, has a classic strong classic lemon flavor, thin skin, and is very juicy. They are typically seedless. Planting lemon plants directly in the greenhouse soil allows for larger tree growth. Ensure good drainage with raised beds or well-amended soil.The Dwarf Meyer Lemon tree prefers full sun, consistent but minimal to moderate waterings, sandy to loamy potting soil, good drainage, and fertilizer.One of the easiest ways to propagate a lemon tree is to root a branch cutting in soil. Here’s how Canney says to do it. Using pruning shears, select a 6- to 8-inch cutting from a healthy, mature lemon tree. The branch should be flexible and free of any signs of disease or damage.First, ensure your tree receives ample sunlight, as lemon trees thrive in full sun. You also should protect it from strong winds and extremely cold temperatures, as they can hinder fruit production. Adequate watering, especially during dry spells and flowering, is also crucial to promote fruit set.Each delicate flower has the potential to transform into a juicy lemon, but only if the conditions are just right. The flowers signal the start of a critical phase in the tree’s lifecycle, where careful attention to care can lead to a flourishing harvest.
Do you need two Meyer lemon trees?
Meyer lemons, which grow in the 3- to 4-foot range in containers, are self-fertile so don’t need another tree for pollination. However, they do need insects or wind to move that pollen around so if you keep your tree inside too long, you’ll likely get fewer fruits. Hand pollination is an option. From grapefruits to lemons, limes, and oranges, many gardeners grow a variety of citrus fruits successfully and many prefer planting in the fall to give their trees plenty of time over the winter to develop a strong root system. Trees also require less water in the colder months and less watering is always a plus.One great thing about Meyer Lemon is that it can bear fruit all year round. Lemons will flower and fruit more than once per year if conditions are favorable. On the coast, Meyer Lemons often have blooms and fruit in varying stages throughout the year.As a citrus variety, lemon trees require full sun, which means about 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. For indoor growth, simply place them in front of a south-facing or sunny window. Once you’ve scouted your chosen area and selected your favorite lemon tree, it’s easy to plant.In tropical and subtropical regions, lemons can be planted year-round. However, in the southern states, it’s best to plant them between September and May after the risk of frost has passed. This timing allows the lemon trees to establish strong roots before facing colder temperatures.
How often should I water a Meyer lemon tree?
Generally, Meyer Lemon Trees need water every one to two weeks. Leaves can be an indicator as to how your tree feels. If the leaves are drooping like they’re too heavy for the branches, the tree is getting too much water. If the leaves are crispy and dry or curl upwards, this is a sign of under-watering. Fertilizer. During the growing season (early spring through fall), feed your Meyer lemon tree with either a high-nitrogen fertilizer or a slow-release all-purpose fertilizer. Typically three applications evenly spaced throughout the growing season should be enough to keep your plant happy, growing, and producing.Lemon trees require 6-8 hours of full sun daily. Plant your tree in well-draining soil so that the fragile roots do not stay wet for extended periods. Overwatering or overly saturated soil is the #1 cause of yellow and/or dropped leaves.