Growing a citrus tree has been both a rewarding and disappointing experience over the years. My first citrus tree (lemon) was a beautiful one which gave me a basket full of fruits, the year around. Cultivating china orange was an equally satisfying experience because it gives you not only lovely tangy fruit but also is a visual treat to the eyes.
Yet I have also lost 5 new lemon tree baby plants and they taught me what I did not know about the citrus tree. When it comes to functional decoration, a fruit tree wins hands down- décor that you can eat and is easy on the eyes. Citrus trees are a popular choice due to numerous culinary and decorative options of the fruit itself, yet these plants have a fragile side too.
Plant a 1-year-old nursery tree with big green leaves with no damage to the trunk, in February/March. This allows the tree to establish itself and grow faster before the onset of winter.
Most citrus trees are location sensitive. Choose a sunny and warm spot. Southern or western exposure is usually good. Save the plant from a very cold, freezing temperature during winters.
Drainage is another important consideration. Check the spot for drainage before planting. Dig a hole and pour a good amount of water into the hole. If there is still some water left the next day, dig the hole deeper and mix farm compost, cocopeat, perlite, vermin compost and washed sand in the loosened soil. Create a mound of soil in the middle of the hole, that supports the root ball with the crown (base of the tree trunk where the roots begin), slightly above it, to avoid the water getting collected around the base. While planting always keep the hole wider rather than deeper for a lemon tree.
After planting water the citrus tree at least once a week until it has established roots. Root rot and collar rot may occur if the soil is too wet. Also, it does not like too salty water.
A potted dwarf citrus tree is a great alternative if you don’t have a correct space, drainage, temperature or sunlight exposure.
To get good fruit remove the first year fruit by ‘pinching’ it. The plant will put all its energy in establishing healthy roots and branches rather than growing fruit.
Remove any grass around it as grass sucks away all the nutrients. Avoid pruning in midsummer or late winter. While pruning remove any ‘suckers’ or shoots growing from the rootstock. Remove any’ out of place’ shoots growing beyond the shape of the plant. Moderately thin the foliage, if thick, to allow air circulation and also for the light to filter in.
Fruiting will happen in 2-3 years and with time the quantity of fruit will increase. Harvest only when the fruit is fully ripe. Lemon’ should be totally yellow because citrus fruit does not ripen off the tree. They only rot.
Poor drainage, lack of sunlight, wrong watering, lack of care, will slow the growth, of the lemon tree. Another thumb rule, water well, when the tree is flowering and reduce water when the tree is fruiting.
The lemon tree would need nutrients 3 times a year- February, June and October. Depending on soil, age and growth of plants the dosage will vary. Do not fertilize a plant that is dry, has bugs, has scales or infected leaves. A lemon tree needs nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium (NPK), iron, manganese and zinc.
Advisable is to use granular fertilizer. Mix it in top 2 inches of the soil away from the roots. Water the entire area underneath the tree, before and after, applying fertilizer. Newly planted trees need no fertilizer in the first year. To take care of fertilizer, a lemon tree can be companion planted with leguminous vegetables like peas, French beans etc. One can also use legume plant compost, chicken manure and dead fish. Kitchen scrap fertilizer is also very useful.
If giving foliar fertilizer to leaves do not do so when temperatures are very high or else the leaves will get burned. Yellowing older leaves is an indication of nitrogen deficiency. If new leaves are unusually light green, it can be manganese deficiency. If in winter the leaves are discolouring, the roots are too cold.
Always keep a watch on the lemon tree. Watch out for ants, as they create black leaf disease. Soak some wood pieces in neem oil and place it around the trunk. They will stop. Wash leaves with a soap water solution to create a barrier for aphid attack. One can also use soap and neem water or soap and tobacco water.
Harpreet Ahluwalia
Earthly Creations.
D 138 sector 36. Noida
earthlycreationsinc@gmail.com. Cell 091802 33360
