Can lemons be grown in the north? An analysis of growing conditions and methods

SummaryLemons cannot be grown in the north, but potted lemons can be grown there. Lemons have high temperature requirements and need to be grown in an environment that is warm in winter and cool in summer, while winter temperatures in the north are relatively low, which is not good for lemon growth. When growing potted lemons in the north, if the temperature gets low in winter, the potted lemon needs to be moved to a warm indoor spot to overwinter.

Lemons are not cold-tolerant and are suitable for growing in areas where winters are warm, summers are not scorching hot, and temperatures are stable. Winter temperatures in the north are relatively low, which is not suitable for lemon growth and development, so lemons cannot be grown in the north. However, potted lemons can be grown in the north; you just need to move the pots to a warm indoor spot when the temperature drops in winter.

Lemon growing techniques

1. Environmental temperature requirements

Lemons like to grow in warm-climate areas and are suitable for growing in southern China. They tolerate shade but not high temperatures, and are best grown in subtropical areas that are warm in winter and cool in summer.

Choose areas with a small annual temperature difference. Areas with an average annual temperature of 17-19°C are most suitable for lemon growth, with an annual effective accumulated temperature of 5200-6500°C, an average January temperature of 6-8°C, an extreme low temperature above minus 3°C, annual rainfall preferably around 1200-1500 mm, and annual sunshine hours greater than 1200 hours.

In areas with an average annual temperature below 17°C, and areas with short periods of minus 5°C and periodic frost damage, it is best not to carry out open-field commercial cultivation.

2. Soil requirements

Lemons do not have very high requirements for soil and terrain. Flat land and hilly slopes are both suitable for growing lemons, but it is best to choose slightly acidic soil with loose, deep soil layers, rich organic matter, strong drainage and moisture- and fertilizer-retention capacity, a low groundwater table, and a pH value between 5.5-6.5.

3. Timely fruit retention

Lemon fruits are relatively large and need sufficient nutrients. During the growing process, the plants need fruit retention, which can be achieved by strengthening fertilizer and water supply to accumulate nutrients, by artificial pollination, or by flower and fruit thinning. Generally, a normal leaf-to-fruit ratio is 30:1 or 40:1. During the growing process, follow the principle of removing the weak and keeping the strong and ensuring even distribution. First thin out excessive and overly dense flower buds. When the young fruit reaches about 1 cm in size, thin out some of the fruits. After physiological fruit drop, determine the number of fruits according to the leaf-to-fruit ratio. You can also directly prune off weak branches and keep one fruit on each strong branch.

4. Pruning and shaping

Prune lemon plants in winter and summer. When pruning in winter, follow the principle of “thin out the dense and keep the sparse, remove the weak and keep the strong”, cutting off dead branches, shortened weak branches, and useless vigorous water sprouts. When pruning in summer, mainly shorten overly long branch tips, remove the summer shoots on fruiting trees, and also shorten declining branches in the middle and upper parts of the outer canopy.

Precautions for growing potted lemons

Lemon is a tree species that flowers and fruits in all four seasons, but potted lemons grown in the north generally flower and fruit in spring. Therefore, after autumn shoot growth stops, watering should be controlled, and watering should be done appropriately only after the leaf edges begin to curl inward, to promote flower bud differentiation. During the growing process, fertilizer should be applied regularly in the pot, and foliar fertilizer should also be sprayed to cultivate healthy fruiting mother branches.