What are the care methods for potted lemon trees?
Lemon trees bloom throughout the year and have a rich fragrance. The fruit is oblong or oval and ripens in autumn and winter.
Below, let's talk about how to care for lemons.
Raising seedlings
In the south, where cultivation is on a large scale, grafting propagation is suitable; in the north, where cultivation is on a small scale, mainly cutting propagation is used, and grafted seedlings can also be purchased for cultivation.
Potting
The root system of the lemon tree has high requirements for water, nutrients and soil. For potted cultivation, a slightly acidic growing medium should be prepared that is permeable and breathable, retains water and fertilizer. Potting and repotting can be done after autumn or in early spring, and can be flexibly arranged according to the local climate.
Watering
Lemon trees need more water during growth and development, but too much water easily causes root rot. Spring is the period of shoot growth, leaf expansion, flower bud formation and blooming, so watering should be moderate. Summer has strong sunlight and high temperatures, so more water is needed. Late autumn and winter are the flower bud differentiation period, so the potting soil should be kept on the dry side.
Temperature
Lemon is a light-loving plant, yet excessively strong sunlight leads to poor growth and development. The optimal growth temperature is 23°C to 29°C; growth stops above 35°C, and frost damage occurs at -2°C.
Pruning
Pruning is generally done in winter. Following the principle of "thin out the dense and keep the sparse, remove the weak and keep the strong," cut off dead branches, shorten weak branches, and remove leggy branches that serve no purpose in forming the canopy. This promotes flower bud differentiation.
Fertilizing
Lemon trees are relatively fond of fertilizer. In addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer when potting and repotting, the principle of applying light fertilizer frequently should be maintained during the growing period. The number of fertilizer applications and the amount applied must be determined according to growth vigor and phenological stage.