The origin of most citrus trees grown in the United States is the temperate or tropical parts of the globe like Asia. The same is true for the dwarf Meyer Lemon tree. It is indigenous to China and was first introduced to the United States in 1908. It is a cross between an orange and a lemon giving it a distinct tangy-sweet flavor not found in other lemons.
The Meyer dwarf Lemon tree is prized for its juicy, deliciously tangy fruits and attractive green foliage embellished with gorgeous and fragrant blooms. Upon its introduction, the dwarf Meyer Lemon tree became a big hit. Unfortunately, in the 1960s the majority of Meyer Lemon dwarf trees had to be destroyed due to their susceptibility to the Citrus Tristeza virus, which killed millions of other citrus trees all over the globe and rendered millions of citrus trees fruitless.
Birth of the Improved Meyer Lemon Tree
While millions of the Meyer Lemon Lime tree cultivars were devastated by the Tristeza virus one stock made it through and was deemed clear of the disease. It became the source of the dwarf Improved Meyer Lemon Tree. This cold-hardy plant was introduced by the University of California in 1975 and can be grown outdoors in USDA plant hardiness zones 8-11. The Meyer Improved Dwarf Lemon Tree can still be grown in a pot if you live in areas outside of zones 8 through 11 but you need to provide the tree additional cold protection during winter months.
Improved Meyer Lemon tree care
Growing Meyer Improved Lemon trees is easy and comes with many advantages including the ability to harvest sweet-tasting lemons that are less acidic than other cultivars. On top of that, if you wish to grow Key Lime and Meyer Lemon trees but do not have enough space at home, you can easily purchase a Meyer Lemon Key Lime Cocktail tree. A Meyer Lemon Key Lime tree allows you to grow lemons and limes on a single tree.
When you buy a dwarf Meyer Lemon tree for sale, you need to understand that dwarf Meyer Lemon tree care includes finding the right place for your tree. Whether planted directly in the ground or potted in a container, Improved Meyer Lemon tree care comprises of giving your tree 6 to 8 hours of sunlight, good soil that drains well, adequate water, fertilizer, and pruning.
If you live in an area where the winter season is harsh and there is always a danger of frost, additional potted Meyer Lemon tree care is needed. Care of Meyer Lemon trees in pots consists of moving trees indoors, away from freezing temperatures.
FAQs
- Where can I find Improved Meyer Lemon trees for sale? – Citrus nurseries generally have this cultivar in stock. The most challenging part of buying an Improved Meyer Lemon tree for sale is finding a reputable nursery that will provide you a disease-free, healthy tree.
- Do Meyer Lemon trees have thorns? – Unlike true lemons, Improved Meyer Lemon trees are nearly thornless.
- What is the typical Improved Meyer Lemon tree size? – Improved Meyer Lemon trees are bushy and dwarfish and only reach about 6 to 10 feet in height.
- How to grow a Meyer Lemon tree in a pot? – Use a 5-gallon container that is about 12 to 15 inches in height for a 2-3-year-old tree. Make sure that the container has good drainage to ensure your citrus tree will not be sitting in water, as that will cause root rot. Create a potting mixture of 1/3 perlite, 1/3 peat moss, and 1/3 potting soil to fill your container. Gently remove the tree from the pot it came in and cut away any dry roots. Place the tree at the center of the pot and add in your potting mixture, while slightly patting the soil to prevent air pockets from forming. Ensure that the crown of the roots is just above the soil line. Water the trees slowly until water comes out at the bottom of the pot.
- What are the common Meyer Lemon tree diseases? – Black rot and citrus canker are the most common diseases that may infect the Meyer Lemon tree. They usually appear in spring and should be treated right away. You may use copper fungicide spray to protect your tree from common citrus diseases.