The Lemon tree can adapt to almost any type of soil excluding those of heavy clay. The ideal soil for this tree is a rich and well-drained sandy loam. Drained loam or Sandy Loam is the soil typically used for gardening because it produces more nutrients and moisture that can help the tree to grow vigorously.
Mulching Lemon Trees
Proper mulching and care will enable you to have lemon trees and hybrid lemon lime trees with luscious and healthy fruits. Mulching is done to protect the soil around the growing root systems. It also retains the moisture of the soil while letting the water drain from the area to prevent puddles from forming and suffocating of the roots.
The best mulch for lemon trees is the organic mulch. Organic mulch is best in reproducing the natural environment your tree desires. Wood mulch is a good organic choice. It not only looks neat, but the slow process of decomposition allows the soil to get a steady supply of nutrients.
Different Lemon Varieties
There are many varieties of lemon trees such as Meyer lemon trees, Meyer Improved dwarf lemon trees, eureka or dwarf eureka lemon trees and even hybrid lemon lime trees. Yes! It’s not a hoax! Lemon Lime cocktail trees like the Meyer lemon lime tree and dwarf lemon lime tree are real! Thanks to science, botanists and horticulturist we’re able to get two kinds of fruit from the same family to grow on one single tree through the process of grafting. This process only works for particular types of fruit with the same soil, humid and growing needs. The lemon lime tree is the ideal choice for home gardeners with limited spaces.
- The Dwarf Eureka Lemon Tree is about eight to ten feet in height when planted in a pot but can grow up to fourteen feet and spread to approximately fifteen feet wide when planted in the ground. You can maintain the mini size of this tree by pruning. If you prefer a smaller tree that doesn’t require a big space and can be taken indoors, the dwarf Eureka Lemon tree is the best choice for its height that will grow to only around 3 to 5 feet if you plant it in a pot.
- Meyer Improved Dwarf Lemon Tree is a shrub plant that can be pruned to look like a tree. The appealing fragrance of this tree is like a combination of citrus and jasmine. It bears white blossoms that are pretty to look at during the blooming season. The fruit of this tree is less acidic in flavor and lacks bitterness. The height of this tree can reach 6 to 10 feet if planted outdoors, and 4 to 6 feet when planted in a pot.
Lemon Tree Diseases and Treatment
The common diseases Lemon Trees can get are citrus canker, greasy spot fungus, sooty mold fungus, Phytophthora fungus, Botrytis fungus, and Anthracnose. The process of treatment depends on the type of fungus. On the other hand, copper fungicide controls a wide variety of plant diseases and can be used up to the day of harvest.