Indoor lemons growing disease care. Lemon tree, home care, pruning, watering. Spring top dressing lemongrass

Plant lovers grow citrus fruits even on the windowsill. What factors are paid attention to in order to see flowering and enjoy exotic fruits?

You can grow a beautiful tree that will delight with fragrant fruits at home. But this plant has a whimsical character, requires attention not only to watering, but also to the temperature regime of the room where it is located. An obligatory element of care is top dressing, which is performed in accordance with certain rules. Air humidity, lighting, and timely transplantation are also important. If all elements of care are performed regularly and efficiently, then the plant will bear fruit and delight with ovaries.

Factors That Affect Lemon Growth

A lemon that is grown on its own windowsill may differ slightly from those sold in the markets. This is due to the fact that indoor varieties are chosen for home breeding. Small lemons, which have a very thin skin, are especially valued. In addition, they are very bright and look beautiful on the window. More large fruits will have a dense and thick skin, and will look no less exotic.

The difficulty of caring for this fruit-bearing tree is that it is accustomed to the climate of the subtropics, where it comes from. This determines that its comfortable air temperature should not be more than 17-18 degrees. In an apartment in winter, due to heating, this figure is higher. The presence of batteries also affects humidity. It goes below 70%. And the compliance of the indicators characterizing the air with the standards is very necessary for the tree to grow.

No less important for the growth of lemons and the degree of illumination of the room. The right place for a tree indoors is chosen taking into account the fact that it does not like direct sunlight. The most ideal location would be a good degree lighting throughout the day, but this light will be diffused.

Crockery for the tree also matters. To enter the phase of active growth and the formation of the ovaries of future fruits, it should be placed in a closer pot. If the root system is too spacious, then the flowering phase will be postponed by indefinite time. Ideal for planting a plant will be dishes from natural materials. These are clay products or boxes made of wood.

The earth has no growth special significance. But it must correspond to the qualities of air and water permeability. The soil mix may contain peat and sand. Fertility will add humus. The soil should be loosened.

Moisture has a direct effect on growth. Therefore, abundant watering in spring and summer, when the ambient temperature tends to rise. In winter, the frequency of watering is reduced. Older trees require more moisture. It is desirable that watering is carried out with prepared water. Suitable pre-collected in a container and standing. You can also use defrosted water, although most perfect option- rain.

In order for the lemon tree to bear fruit, it is fed. Any of the organic or mineral species fertilizers. The frequency of this procedure should not be too intensive. The optimal period of time is after 20 days.

Lemon care at different times of the year

To grow a lemon, home care for a plant must take into account some differences depending on the time of year. In the spring season, it begins a phase of active growth, and then forms buds, which later become fragrant fruits. The temperature regime should be in the range of 14-18 degrees. An excessively warm room will lead to the dropping of buds and ovaries. And such an event can provoke the death of the entire tree.

Fresh air contributes well to the natural growth of lemongrass. From the moment the air temperature outside the window stabilizes at 13-14 degrees, the plant can be placed on the balcony or terrace for the entire warm period. However, they monitor possible temperature differences due to possible still frost and its decrease by night time. To avoid the death of the plant, it is wrapped.

In summer, the danger for the lemon tree is open sunlight. Therefore, this situation is carefully controlled to avoid burns.

Winter time for lemon is characterized by the stage of final ripening of the fruit. Optimal conditions for this period include moderate temperature regime(16-18 degrees). Be sure to maintain optimal humidity (about 70%). Another important condition the good condition of the tree in winter is the exclusion of air flows that come from heating sources. A pot of lemon is removed away from heaters and radiators. It is also provided with a light source for at least 12 hours.

Lemon tree care is quite capricious. Too unsuitable for him high temperatures as well as too low. Watering should be moderate, but very dry soil should be avoided. The plant does not like direct sunlight, but requires prolonged exposure during the day to diffused light. Without taking into account and fulfilling all these conditions, it is impossible to achieve the appearance of ovaries, which will subsequently delight with fragrant fruits. Timely watering and top dressing, right soil also have great importance.

Lemon Growing Mistakes Video

You bought a young lemon tree in the hope all year round harvest fragrant fruits for tea parties and strengthen immunity.

And it really will give a lot of fruit if you know how to care for a lemon: water it, feed it, replant it, etc. We will learn all the intricacies of caring for home-grown lemon trees, including crown formation and fruit picking.

Indoor lemon: home care

Lemon care consists in regular watering, sufficient lighting, top dressing, observing the temperature regime and air humidity. It is equally important to know how to transplant a homemade lemon.

Having decided to grow a lemon tree at home, familiarize yourself with the intricacies of care:

Watering a lemon

How to water a lemon? In the cold season, from October until spring, we moderately water the tree once a week, using warm water. In the spring and summer months, as well as in September, we spill the soil well with warm water once a day. Periodically loosen upper layer earth.

The main thing in watering a lemon is to prevent stagnation of water in the soil, leading to rotting of the roots, and not to overdry the earthen ball: this is fraught with twisting of the leaf and falling leaves and lemons.

lighting for lemon

How to care for homemade lemon in terms of lighting? Lemons don't need long daylight hours if you want more fruit than leaves. The tree bears fruit well in bright diffused light: it is better to keep it on windows facing east. If the window is south, in the summer we must protect the plant from direct sunlight.

In order for the crown to grow evenly, 2 times a month we turn the lemon tree in the direction of the sun. And we do not allow low lighting: in partial shade and shade, the leaf grows slowly, and the fruits turn out to be too sour.

Temperature regime

Homemade lemon care involves compliance certain temperature air.

While the lemon grows and gains green mass, or blooms, we keep it in a room where 17-20 degrees of heat is observed.
When the fruits appear and ripen, you need a temperature a couple of degrees higher.
In winter, during the dormant period, a temperature of no higher than 14 degrees, or 18 ° C, is required if the plant is not “sleeping” yet - in this case, we provide it with a 12-hour daylight hours using fitolamps.

Do not keep the lemon in a hot room and do not allow sudden temperature changes.

In the summer, you can take the tree outside - the main thing is to have time to bring it home before evening (if cool weather is expected).

Indoor lemon: home care

Humidity level for lemon

How to water a lemon, we figured out: we will find out what level of air humidity is suitable for growing it. He needs a fairly high humidity, especially during the hot season - in summer or during the heating season.

When it's hot, we spray the tree every day and give it a warm shower once a week.

To increase the humidity level, place a wide-mouth jar filled with water near the lemon pot so that it evaporates, or put the pot in a tray, placing moisture-evaporating material in it.

The third option: turn on a household air humidifier next to the plant.

Top dressing lemon

Indoor lemon needs regular feeding: in summer - every week, in winter - every month (if there are fruits).

What to feed a lemon? Mineral and organic fertilizers, watering the plant 2 hours before the procedure so as not to burn the roots.

Fertilizer with minerals. For top dressing, you will need a ready-made product such as a “citrus mixture”, in which the proportions N: P: K are 14:16:18. Dilute it in water according to the attached instructions and water the soil.
organic fertilizer. We make an infusion by mixing 1 part of water and 1 part of mullein (horse manure) and, after waiting 7 days, dilute it with water: mullein infusion - 1 to 15, horse balls infusion - 1 to 10.

Twice a year we water the soil with a weak solution of potassium permanganate - to enrich and disinfect the soil.

Lemon transplant

Young lemon plants in a pot, which we will learn today, need to be transplanted 1 and 2 years after planting.

In the spring we buy soil for citrus fruits or make it ourselves from humus (1 part), earth from under deciduous trees(4 parts), calcined sand (1 part) and wood ash (1 tablespoon).

We simply transfer the plant, gently shaking off part of the old earth, into another pot with soil. The diameter of the new pot should be 4 cm larger than the diameter of the previous one.

Subsequently, we transplant the plant every two years, when the growing season begins. When transplanting, do not forget to put drainage (expanded clay + charcoal or a layer of sand) with a layer of 2 cm. Thanks to transshipment, you do not have to think about how to root a lemon. The main thing is not to transplant while the lemon is blooming or bearing fruit.

crown formation

As the lemon grows, the crown should be cut - in the spring, on a low trunk of about 18 cm, before the green mass begins to grow. We cut off the shoots, leaving 5 leaves, so that by the beginning of fruiting the tree has branched.

A tree with a well-formed crown blooms in the second or third year.

crown formation indoor lemon

Lemon blossom on windowsill and harvest

While the lemon is blooming, you can not leave all the flowers on the plant:

At the first flowering, we cut off half of the flowers and leave no more than 4 fruits from the formed ovaries.
At the second flowering, only 6 fruits are left.
At the third flowering, we leave 8 fruits, etc.

Regulation of flowering is necessary to maintain a strong and healthy lemon tree: extra inflorescences will quickly deplete it. Each ovary should have at least 10 developed leaves.

Flowers do not need pollination and bloom for about 2 months.

Fruiting of lemons is possible up to 4 times a year: it depends on the variety. The development of the fetus and the beginning of maturation takes about 6-8 weeks. The peel of fully ripe lemons acquires a rich golden hue: it means it's time to harvest.

If you tighten it with the collection, the skin will become thicker, the slices will dry out and the juice will lose its characteristic acidity.

Now you know how to care for a lemon at home so that it grows strong and healthy, and gives a lot of fruit. Follow all the rules for keeping a room lemon, and it will delight you with beautiful flowering and abundant fruiting all year round.

How to care for lemon at home? This question interests every inexperienced gardener. After all, it is care that affects the growth and fruiting of the plant. Lemon is a very useful citrus for human body. It can be used to prepare delicious tea and boost immunity.

Proper lemon care is a guarantee of fruit

Therefore, if you want to get all the useful vitamins, you need to know how to care for a lemon tree.

watering lemon

Home care is primarily proper watering. In cold weather, homemade lemon is watered once a week. To do this, warm water must be defended in advance. In the warm season, watering is necessary once a day, because in the heat any plant requires a lot of liquid.

After each watering, the top layer of soil must be loosened. It is necessary to bring water into the ground clearly according to the scheme so as not to harm the root system of the lemon, because a large amount of moisture can lead to its decay, and a lack of water leads to the fact that the lemon tree at home begins to throw off the leaves. This is the first answer to the question of how to care for a homemade lemon.

Lighting

Worth knowing about proper lighting if you are wondering "how to care for indoor lemon". After all, no plant can exist without sunlight. The lemon tree does not need a long light day. The amount of light affects only the formation of leaves, not fruits. It is better to keep the tree at home on the windowsill, which is located in the east.

If there are no windows on the right side, then you need to protect the plant from direct sunlight. For the correct formation of the crown, it is necessary to turn the tree several times a month.

The shadow negatively affects the development of the lemon. Try to properly care for the lemon, then such problems will not arise.

The lemon tree loves color, but not direct sunlight.

Air temperature

Lemon care at home provides for temperature control. This is one of the main conditions for the fruiting of a lemon.

The temperature regime for a lemon should be as follows:

When the lemon begins to bloom or actively grow, the air temperature should be at least 17 ° C.
When active fruiting began: 20 °C.
During the dormant period, which most often occurs in winter, the apartment should be between 14 ° C and 18 ° C.

For a lemon at home, care in terms of temperature should be strictly observed. The slightest changes cause illness and lead to death.

In summer, lemon can be taken out into the fresh air.

Humidity level

Caring for a homemade lemon includes controlling the moisture level. In order for it to grow normally and bear fruit, the humidity must be high, especially in summer period because of the heat. On such days, the plant must be sprayed daily and washed once a week in the shower.

To increase the level of humidity, it is necessary to place a small container of water next to the pot, which will evaporate and create optimal conditions for the growth of the tree. If desired, you can purchase a special humidifier, which should be in the same room as the lemon.

top dressing

Caring for a room lemon includes its top dressing. In summer, it is carried out once every seven days, and in winter - every month, if the lemon is fruitful. If there are no fruits, then this can be done less often. Caring for a lemon tree involves top dressing with mineral and organic fertilizers.

Before adding nutrients, the plant is watered. This will avoid burning the roots. If you are using ready-made mineral fertilizer, then the proportion of substances (N:P:K) is 14:16:18. Use the tool according to the instructions.

Organic fertilizer for lemon must be properly prepared. To do this, fill the manure with water and leave it for a week. After that, the mixture is diluted in a ratio of 1:15. Twice a year it is recommended to treat the soil with potassium permanganate, this will prevent diseases.

Manure is an excellent organic fertilizer for lemon

Transfer

Growing a lemon includes not only proper care, but also its transplantation. It is recommended to do it with trees every two years while they are young. In the spring, it is necessary to purchase special soil and, by transshipment, transplant a lemon into a pot that is 4 cm larger than the previous one in diameter. Thanks to the transshipment method, the roots retain their strength and quickly take root in a new place.

It is necessary to transplant a tree several times a year, during the growing season. Use expanded clay and charcoal drainage. You can not transplant a tree during flowering and during the period when it bears fruit. Correct fit- a guarantee of the health of the tree.

Lemon transplantation is carried out in the spring

Flowering and fruiting lemon

Lemon trees must be carefully looked after, especially during the period when flowers appear on it. This happens for the first time two years after sowing the seeds. When the plant blooms, you can not leave all the flowers on it, because. To. young tree not able to grow all the ovaries that have appeared.

Flower removal process:

First blooming lemon cut off half, leave the ovaries for four fruits.
When the tree begins to bloom for the second time, ovaries are left for six lemons.
For the third time, the ovaries for eight fruits should be left on the lemon.

These manipulations with the tree allow you to properly care for it and achieve active fruiting. The older the tree, the more lemons it will produce. Therefore, do not be afraid to pick flowers.

The plant produces fruits about four times a year, depending on the variety and care. Approximately 6 months pass from the moment of development to the moment of maturation.

A fully ripened fruit has a golden skin. It is not worth delaying the harvest, because the lemon will lose all its beneficial properties.

Lemon blossom should be regulated

Pollination of lemons in pots

Flowering and fruiting occur only in mature plants. If the lemon is still young, then it is recommended to pick off all the flowers. The tree must have about 20 mature leaves to bear fruit. Early fruiting depletes the plant, it may die. If the tree is strong, then you need to wait until it blooms, and then you can pollinate.

How to pollinate a lemon correctly? First you need to create the necessary conditions. Humidity should be 70% and air temperature 25 °C. It is also worth preparing special tools:

soft brush;
a small piece of fur;
cotton swab.

Carefully, using prepared tools, collect pollen from the stamens and transfer it to the pistils. Do this with all the flowers. If you doubt that the pollination process was successful, you can repeat it.

If desired, you can use special preparations. Biological products "Bud" or "Ovary" are popular. They allow the fruits to form, in the event that the ovary develops very weakly.

If a lemon has “settled” in you, caring for it at home will require a lot of work. It belongs to remontant plants, therefore, under certain conditions, it is able to bloom and bear fruit all year round. But not everyone succeeds not only in tasting the fruits of their citrus, but also simply admiring the flowering. What is the reason? Let's figure it out.

Variety selection

First of all, for planting in the house, you should choose varieties specially bred for this purpose. They do not grow to gigantic dimensions, but at the same time they are characterized by high yields. Pay attention to these varieties of dwarf and semi-dwarf lemons:

Meyer
Pavlovsky
Novogruzinsky
Maykop
Eureka
Genoa

Among the most common varieties in our latitudes is the Meyer lemon, caring for it is the least troublesome compared to other species. This variety is sometimes referred to as Chinese Dwarf and its fruit is not as acidic as other varieties. Dwarf lemons do not have a rich harvest, but they will add comfort to the interior of the apartment.

Video about indoor lemon

Tall lemons will certainly please you with tasty and large fruits, but at the same time they require a lot of time for care, because in addition to the usual events, they need more frequent pruning, garter and crown formation. If you are interested in such citruses, choose among the following varieties:

Novogruzinsky
Kursk

Creating the optimal mode of lighting, temperature and humidity

How to care for a lemon in an ordinary city apartment, when there is no heating, then windows to the north, then the air is too dry for citrus? You'll have to provide the tree comfortable conditions growth and development.

The first thing that is important for a lemon is light.

Homemade lemon photo

For the arrangement of pots, it is better to choose south-east windows with moderate lighting, if you are lucky, of course, and you have them. But what to do if all your alternative is the north or south side.

On the northern windows, the lemon will noticeably lack light, so you will have to use fluorescent lamps, extending the daylight hours for the plant up to 12 hours. This is especially true for the winter period.

On the south side of the house, there is always plenty of light, and for a lemon, even in excess. Therefore, at noon it is necessary to shade your citrus, saving it from the destructive effect of direct sunlight, which can leave real burns on the leaves.

Lemon is a native of the Pacific tropics, so it is not surprising that the tree is demanding on thermal conditions.

In spring, during the budding period, the temperature in the room should be 14 - 16 degrees. A high degree contributes to the drying and dropping of buds, and a low degree slows down or even stops this process. enough during the dormant period. room temperature up to 26 degrees. If possible, move your pet to a glazed balcony for the summer. Fresh air will benefit the lemon and the question of how to care for the lemon will not be so acute. However, you should be wary of both sudden changes in temperature and drafts. Like a true southerner, indoor lemon requires scrupulous care.

Pictured is homemade lemon

Moisture. This parameter is very important for a lemon. Therefore, it is necessary to control that the soil in the pot is constantly slightly moist. In summer, it is reasonable to increase the number to 3 waterings per week, and in winter you can reduce it to 1 time, but spray the air around the tree. This is provided that heating appliances stand far from the plant. It is imperative to water the lemon with non-cold water, which has settled for 5 hours. Water should not be poured directly under the root, but evenly over the entire surface of the soil. The air around the tree should also not be dry - at least 60% humidity. Otherwise, you risk seeing twisted, browning leaves on the lemon.

We fertilize, feed ...

Lemon, like the rest of the plants in your home, needs support, so it needs to be fed periodically.

Young lemon trees do not need additional stimulation; lemons that have reached 3-4 years of age need to be fertilized.

Pictured is a lemon tree

You can purchase specialized mixtures of organic fertilizers, or you can use folk methods:

For abundant fruiting, sometimes ordinary watering is replaced with infusion. eggshell. But you should not get carried away in this way, so as not to reduce the acidity of the soil with an excess of calcium.
If the plant develops normally, has a healthy appearance and pleases with flowering, fertilization can be abandoned.
During the growing season, it is worth feeding the lemon twice with superphosphate (50 grams of fertilizer per 1 liter).
Ammonium nitrate is highly recommended to improve growth. It is taken in a proportion of 30 grams per liter of water. You can irrigate with this fertilizer monthly.
Periodically water your lemon with a 7-day infusion of horse manure, ten times diluted.
Lemon requires trace elements for normal development: magnesium, phosphorus, nitrogen and others. To make up for their deficiency, you can use the Citrus Mix fertilizer once a quarter. 2-3 grams of this fertilizer is diluted in a liter of water and used instead of the main watering.

Pruning and transplanting indoor lemon

Young lemon trees should be transplanted at least once a year.

Instances older than 3 years - with a frequency of 2-3 years. However, the need for a transplant may arise "unscheduled", for example, due to illness or deterioration of the lemon.

Pictured is a lemon transplant

The soil around the trunk is watered abundantly so that it softens, then the tree is carefully removed. In this case, extreme caution must be exercised so as not to disturb the earthen ball and not to hurt the root system.
If you find spoiled roots, cut them with a sharp knife or blade.
For transplanting, take a container 30-50% larger than the previous one. Too big, as well as too small a pot, contributes to growth retardation. Give preference to a cone-shaped container.
At the bottom of the pot, on the drain hole, place the shard in such a way that its convex side is on top. Then a drainage layer is laid (small pebbles, pebbles), a thin layer of dry manure and earth mixture.
Closer to the center of the pot, a tree is set along with a clod of earth. Slowly begin to fill the container between the lump and the walls of the pot with soil. You can lightly press the laid soil, but it is not necessary to compact it tightly.

Pruning of a lemon is done in order to form beautiful crown and improved fertility.

At a tree height of 20-25 cm from the ground, pinch the stem, allowing the side branches to develop. Please note that the first fruits appear on the branches of the 4th-5th order (row from the bottom) and until they are formed, there is no need to wait for the fruits.

Vertically grown branches should be pruned without pity.

For the formation correct form every 10 days, the flower pot must be gently rotated relative to the sun. Gardeners sometimes improve the crown using copper wire - they fix individual branches with it, giving them right direction growth.

Photo of a lemon pruning

The formation of the crown is also carried out at the time of picking the fruit. A ripe lemon is cut not only with the stalk, but also with a section of the branch itself with 1-2 internodes. Thus, the growth of the branch is stimulated.

Homemade lemon - emergency care

Lemon is very whimsical to the environment and reacts instantly to the slightest fluctuations in temperature or humidity. Measures must be taken to save the plant.

Dried citrus needs watering. By appearance foliage - it becomes yellowish-brown and rare - it is easy to guess the cause of the disease. But do not rush to irrigate the soil abundantly, you can spoil the root system. It is better to pour a little settled water under the root, and spray around the crown. You can wrap the trunk with gauze, folded in several layers and soaked in water. Let the tree stand in such a “dress” for several hours, but do not leave it overnight.

Excess watering will quickly make itself felt with sudden leaf fall. Healthy-looking leaves suddenly fly around en masse. As soon as a symptom is identified, immediately transplant. Carefully remove the tree from the pot, place it along with the earth clod on newspaper or cardboard so that the roots dry out. You need to plant in the soil, slightly moistened and continue to water sparingly.

Pictured is a homemade lemon with fallen leaves

A frozen lemon is very difficult to save. In conditions of a sharp cold snap, the vital activity of the plant may stop. In addition to falling leaves, the trunk darkens when frosting. You can try to "resuscitate". To do this, move the lemon to a warmer room, extend the daylight hours with the help of artificial lights. It makes sense to transplant into another pot. When excavating, be sure to inspect the rhizome, remove dead and rotten parts. Remove dead branches.

Overheating is no less dangerous for citrus. The brown spots that appear on the leaves clearly indicate overheating. Therefore, on hot summer days, remove the container with the plant deep into the room. Make sure that the air from the air conditioner does not get on the crown. Additional watering or cooling is not required.

Important! You can not often change the place and habitat, it takes a long time and poorly adapts to new circumstances. Therefore, it slows down growth and fruiting, and may even show signs of illness. Both drafts and unventilated rooms are equally detrimental to him.

Photo of a lemon tree

Pests and diseases of lemon

Appearing white flies may indicate congestion. Their larvae feed on roots and cause significant damage to the plant. To combat them, insecticides of various types are used - solutions for irrigation and aerosol forms to kill insects that have managed to hatch. Karbofos and Aktelik are quite effective in the fight against these insects.

It is necessary to regularly look at the leaves of the lemon, on which mites and scale insects can settle. Outwardly, ticks look like tiny spiders. They are given out by the color orange or brown, which stands out noticeably against the green background of the back of the leaves. They tighten the damaged areas with a thin cobweb, by which it is easy to recognize pests. Rinse the twigs and leaves on both sides several times at intervals of three to four days under a shower head with strong water pressure. Effective multiple spraying infusions

garlic (1 medium-sized head insist in 0.5 liters of water),
onion (1 onion, grated on a fine grater, poured with a liter of water),
bay leaf (2-3 leaves per 0.5-liter jar of water)
strong brewing of green tea (for 2 cups of boiled water, 2 tablespoons of dry tea leaves).

Attention! It is not recommended to water the soil with these means.

Scale insects look like small brown turtles, motionless and tightly attached to the leaves. It's hard to fight them. Three times at weekly intervals, thoroughly wipe the plant, including leaves on both sides, twigs and trunk, with a mixture of soap and kerosene, taken in a ratio of 1 / 0.5. Cover the ground with cardboard or polyethylene, wrap the trunk at the very bottom with a narrow bandage to prevent liquid from penetrating into the root system.

Often lemons "get sick" from improper care. Browning leaves on the outside healthy plant, and even during the flowering period - one of the ailments. In this case, reconsider the conditions for keeping the flower, it may make sense to transplant it. But in this case, choose a soil other than at present. Maybe it was the acidity of the soil that caused the disease.

Video about indoor lemon pests

As for the human body, disease prevention is important for citrus fruits. To prevent diseases, follow the regimen, transplant, trim damaged areas. Sometimes a sudden disease can be dictated by the depletion of the plant itself. In this case, limit flowering to a few buds, and, no matter how sorry, remove the rest. Each house has its own separate microclimate, not always suitable for lemon. The task of the owner of the plant is to gradually adapt it to the existing conditions.

Sometimes the process of caring for a lemon at home is comparable in terms of trouble to caring for young children - it is difficult at the beginning, but all work is rewarded when the tree begins to grow actively.

In Russia, indoor citrus growing dates back almost three hundred years, because lemons were brought to the country under Peter I. And now we have many lovers who grow this evergreen fruit-bearing plant in a room or on an insulated loggia in pots or tubs.

perennial lemon Tree blooms quite profusely, but its flowers, as a rule, are not conspicuous, since during this period they are usually completely covered with leaves. But you instantly feel that the air of the room is filled with a fabulous aroma. And even if you enter a room with a large set of indoor plants, then in this case, hard, leathery, shiny leaves of a lemon tree immediately attract attention, even if it has not yet begun to bloom. And even if this plant is "wild", i.e. not grafted, it is still unusually decorative, because it has beautiful emerald shiny leaves.

And it is no coincidence, apparently, in countries where citrus crops are grown, the bride is decorated for a wedding with a large wreath of flowering branches of lemon or orange. By the way, if we see blooming apple orchards from afar - for three or four hundred meters, then the fragrance of a blooming grove of lemons, presumably, spreads for many kilometers.

It should be recognized that growing lemons at home is not easy. First, for this it is desirable to have sufficient spacious room with good lighting. Secondly, homemade lemon requires more attention than ordinary indoor flowers. But at the same time, it has many advantages compared to them: it is more hardy and durable; the whole plant smells pleasant, releasing volatile essential oils that ozonize the surrounding air.

In room conditions, the oldest trees reach a height of 1.5 m, although in large rooms with huge bright windows lemons grow up to 3 m or more.

Growing lemon fruits is a rather long and painstaking process, so you need to be patient in advance to wait until the lemon tree finally gains strength and blooms, and the flowers form good size fruit.

When growing homemade lemon it is imperative to take into account its biological and varietal characteristics, know the agrotechnical methods of cultivation, methods of its reproduction and measures to protect against numerous pests and diseases.

We hope that after reading this article, the number of people growing this magnificent plant at home will increase significantly. Having started a lemonarium at home, in a few years you will be able to treat your family and friends with your own grown lemon fruits. After all, a normally formed five-seven-year-old lemon tree can give an amateur citrus grower from 15 to 50 fruits per year (depending on the variety).

Lemon is small tree or shrub with strong, usually thorny branches. At the tops of its young shoots, the color is purple-violet. Leaves are oval, oblong, toothed; have many glands containing essential oil. Their change on the plant occurs gradually (as they age): the leaf lives for about 2-3 years. Lemon flowers are bisexual, arranged singly, in pairs or in small racemes, they are large (4-5 cm in diameter). The bud grows and develops for about five weeks, the flower blooms for at least 7-9 weeks. The period of growth and development of the fetus from setting (falling flower petals) to the start of maturation in room conditions at spring bloom plants can last up to 230 days. In summer (optimal temperature and better lighting), this period is reduced to 180-200 days. If in the first year a young, recently grafted tree gives flowers, they should be cut off (better when they are still in buds) so that the plant does not waste its strength and saves them for further normal development. With secondary flowering, the buds are no longer removed; most often, the tree itself decides how much it can “feed” fruits, and how many “extra” flowers it needs to discard.

It is recommended to allow flowering and fruiting of a lemon if it has at least 20 full-fledged leaves.

Fruits on a lemon are formed both with pollination of flowers and without pollination - parthenocarpic (in this case, seeds are not formed in fruits). Lemon fruits are oval or egg-shaped. Their skin, when ripe, acquires a light yellow color and a strong lemon smell. Their flesh is usually greenish, divided into 9-14 slices, very juicy and sour. Seeds of irregular ovoid shape, white, covered with a parchment-like shell.

There is a close relationship between the number of fruits and the number of leaves on a tree. It has been established that for the normal growth and development of each lemon fruit in the crown of a tree there must be at least 9-10 mature (physiologically active) leaves.

When growing lemons, care for the plant should be such that leaves do not fall off it. Most often this happens in winter period. The state of lemon trees can be judged by the degree of their foliage: the more healthy leaves on a tree, the better it grows and bears fruit. Without leaves, the plant will not be able to bear fruit: if adverse conditions a lemon loses a lot of leaves, then next year it will not form fruits. Therefore, the main task in winter is to preserve the leaf apparatus of the tree.

The full ripening of lemons is fully evidenced by their characteristic intensely golden peel, the color of which is given by carotenoids - sources of vitamin A. After full ripening, the fruits, as a rule, do not fall off, continue to grow next year. But, increasing in size, they at the same time worsen their qualities (the peel thickens greatly, the flesh dries up and becomes flabby, the juice becomes less acidic).

Under normal conditions, a lemon grows, blooms and bears fruit throughout the year, so the same plant can have ripe fruits, young ovaries, flowers and buds at the same time. The period necessary for the ripening of fruits, and it begins from the moment they are set, largely depends on the period of flowering and setting. The ripening of fruits during the flowering of lemon in the summer months occurs 1-2 months faster than in the spring. The time from setting to fruit ripening can vary widely (7-14 months). Experienced amateur flower growers know how to regulate the timing of lemon flowering, skillfully applying various tricks, for example, temporary drying of a tree. So, a dried (up to the initial degree of wilting of the leaves) tree stops growth and flowering and enters into a forced rest, in which craftsmen can keep it for some time. If after that they give abundant watering, then the lemon begins vigorous growth and abundant flowering.

It is very important when growing a lemon in a tub culture to achieve its dwarfism, especially since the lemon tends to form very powerful, long (not branching only at the top) branches, so it will need to be cut regularly: without this, the shoots make the crown very voluminous. According to experts, it is advisable to prune all strong tree growths after 5-6 leaves, which makes the crown more compact, mechanically strong and productive. Systematic care is also required for the roots (it is carried out, as a rule, during transplantation), as they ensure the vital activity of the plant. With abnormal development of the root system, the growth of the lemon is inhibited, the color of the leaves changes, etc.

Lifespan indoor lemon under favorable conditions can be quite large. For example, I saw in the city of Pushkin a remarkable almost three-meter 30-year-old tree, it grows in a greenhouse and is, one might say, in its heyday. Several hundred fruits hang on it at the same time.

As a rule, diseases and pests play a significant role in reducing the longevity of plants. If the owners treat their pet lemon with care, as a family member, then under favorable conditions, the life expectancy of the tree may well be 35-45 years.

Being a southern plant, the lemon tree is sure to give a good harvest of fruits at room conditions, if it is provided good care and all the conditions necessary for normal life. But I’ll immediately notice: he makes quite high demands on heat, moisture and light. The optimum temperature for the growth of leaves and shoots of lemon is about 17°C, and for the development of fruits 21-22°C. Very high air temperatures are harmful to lemon, the plant reacts especially negatively if the temperature rises sharply with a simultaneous low relative humidity. This happens in spring months and at the beginning of summer - this is caused by a sharp warming in the street. A similar phenomenon can lead to the fall of flowers and ovaries, and a strong temperature drop in the autumn and winter months - and foliage.

Soil temperature should also be close to air temperature; especially harmful is the sharp lag of soil temperature from air temperature. A similar thing happens when a tub of lemon, standing long time in summer and even autumn in the open air, when it gets cold, they immediately bring it into a warm living room. Sometimes he reacts to this by dropping foliage.

Lemon is sensitive to fluctuations in indoor air humidity. It reacts negatively to its deficiency, which is most dangerous (especially at high temperatures) during flowering and fruit set. This causes shedding of flowers and ovaries. Some experts believe that the higher the humidity, the longer the lemon leaves live.

Lemon is a short daylight plant; he is quite reconciled with the disadvantage solar lighting. With a long daylight hours, its growth intensifies, and fruiting is delayed. most favorable for indoor cultivation are considered windows on the south and east sides. On the south side in summer it receives a lot of light, but it should be shaded with a gauze curtain from direct sunlight (this is especially important during the midday hours). Some experts consider the eastern side to be universal: its morning sun rays, although bright, are not so scorching, and such lighting is enough for plants.

In order not to grow a one-sided tree, it is recommended to turn the box with the plant at a small angle every fortnight. Although, due to this procedure, the growth of shoots and leaves is somewhat inhibited (the lemon is very sensitive to changes in lighting and rearrangement from place to place), but the plant is formed in the correct shape. Other experts advise making turns of about 10 ° every 10 days: then it will take a year for the plant to complete a rotation. It should also be borne in mind that the lemon is sensitive to a sharp change in lighting: with a decrease in its intensity, the size of new leaves increases.

During the winter period, the lemon will not interfere with daylight (5-6 hours) with a fluorescent lamp (or a 100-150 W incandescent bulb), which is placed at a height of 60-80 cm above the plant.

The period from October to March is the most difficult for plants; due to non-compliance with the conditions of detention during this period, they often die. In winter, with battery heating, the air in the room is dry, so it is better to move the plants away from the heaters (sometimes the batteries are covered with a damp cloth); you can spray the leaf surface with a spray gun. However, it must be remembered that excessive spraying of the leaf surface, especially the Meyer variety, can contribute to the development of fungal diseases. It also does not hurt to keep water on the surface of the soil in a pot (or nearby) in a wide bowl for evaporation. In summer, it is advisable to wash the leaves in the shower at least once every 1-2 weeks or gently wipe them with a damp cloth so that they are clean and breathe deeply.

A lemon tree has been grown in the same soil for several years, so a properly selected substrate for it, as well as fertilizing with fertilizer mixtures, are of great importance for its normal life. We will talk about this later.

Alexander Lazarev,
candidate of biological sciences,
Senior Researcher, All-Russian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Pushkin

Indoor lemon is one of the most spectacular and beautiful ornamental plants. Delighting its owners with bright foliage and fragrant flowers, this citrus, however, belongs to the group of very capricious ones. Care must be taken properly. At the slightest violation of technology, the tree will not only not bloom and bear fruit, but may even shed its leaves and die. In order for the plant to develop well and have lush crown, it should be properly watered and fertilized.

What do you need to know?

Further in the article, we will deal in detail with how a plant such as indoor lemon is cared for at home. Flowering and fruiting of this citrus fruit is possible only if:

right choice places;
use of suitable soil;
regular watering and top dressing;
periodic pruning.

Bloom

main decorative value lemon is represented by its dense leaves of a rich dark green color. The star-shaped flowers of this citrus, white with yellow stamens, are quite showy. However, they grow in the depths of the crown, in the axils of the leaves, and are practically invisible from the outside. Therefore, lemon cannot be attributed to the group of flowering houseplants. But although the flowers of this citrus are not its main decoration, they smell very pleasant. Moreover, the aroma spreads literally throughout the room.

The abundant appearance of buds is possible only if the correct care for a plant such as indoor lemon is carried out at home. This citrus fruit does not bloom most often precisely because of the lack of soil nutrients And irregular watering. Also, the lack of buds and fruits can be affected by a lack of sunlight.

How to choose a variety?

In the wild, indoor lemon, which is really difficult to care for at home, grows in hot India. As a cultural plant, this plant has been cultivated for a very long time, including in Russia. Lemons were brought to our country back in the time of Peter the Great. Over the years of cultivation, many varieties of this citrus fruit have been bred, productive and unpretentious. But of course, not all varieties are suitable for growing in confined spaces. The most popular varieties among indoor plant lovers are:

Pavlovsky. Such lemons, under favorable conditions, can even reach a height of up to 2 meters. The advantages of this variety include, first of all, the fact that it reproduces very easily. cultivation and care at home for which - the procedures, in comparison with other varieties, are relatively simple, well suited to a not too experienced grower. Its fruits are very fragrant and fragile. The variety does not like bright sunlight too much.
Meyer. This variety is good for early fruiting and unpretentiousness. It differs from most other varieties in more acidic fruits. Also, indoor Meyer lemon, which is cared for at home in much the same way as for any other varieties, is compact. This variety grows very low.
Novogruzinsky. This lemon is easy to make produce all year round. Its fruits do not have seeds and smell very good.

How to choose a place?

The peculiarities of the lemon, among other things, include the fact that he really does not like a change of scenery. Therefore, the place for it must be chosen carefully. Most varieties prefer good lighting. But it does not tolerate direct sunlight.

They put a lemon, cultivation and care at home for which will be successful only if the right place is chosen, most often on the east window. Bright, but rather diffused morning lighting for good development enough for this plant.

It is allowed to put lemons on the south window. However, in this case, be sure to take care of shading. Direct sunlight will definitely cause burns in the plant. In addition, the lemon will react to an excess of lighting with the appearance a large number small whitish leaves. Thus, the citrus will simply try to reduce the area of contact with UV rays and lose its effectiveness.

Choosing a place for a lemon should also take into account that the pot is not cooled by a draft. This is especially true in the cold season. If the temperature of the soil in the pot is below the ambient temperature, the plant will shed its leaves.

How to propagate by cuttings?

This is the most easy way get some new lemons at home. Cut cuttings from an adult plant in early spring. The branch should be mature, about 4-5 mm thick. lower leaves removed from the cutting. It is best to plant a twig in a greenhouse made from an ordinary plastic bottle.

A 2 liter container is perfect. The top of the bottle is cut off, and several holes are made in its bottom to drain water. Next, a layer of steamed sand is poured onto the bottom. A nutrient soil with an acidity of 6.5-7 pH is laid on top. The substrate for lemon can be bought at the store or made by hand. In the latter case, take:

leaf ground - 1 hour;
humus - 1 hour;
sod land - 2 hours;
sand - 1 hour

All components should be thoroughly mixed and placed in a bottle.

The end of the cut cutting is sprinkled with wood ash, powdered with a heteroauxin stimulant and immersed in the ground by 2-3 cm. Next, the plant must be thoroughly watered, and the bottle should be covered with plastic wrap on top. In the future, it is not recommended to moisten the soil in the container until the plant is rooted. The roots of the twigs are released in about a month.

When using cuttings as planting material in the future, it will be easiest to care for such citrus fruits as room lemon at home. Reproduction using this technology allows you to quickly get a lush, healthy, fruit-bearing adult plant.

The use of seeds

Planting material with this method of cultivation should be chosen as carefully as possible. From the fruit of an even shape, you need to get the largest seed. It should be planted immediately. In this case, you can use an ordinary plastic cup with drainage holes made in it as a container. Put some sand on the bottom. The soil in this case is used the same as under the cuttings.

It is best to plant several seeds at once in different cups, and then choose the strongest plant for growing. The seeds are buried in the ground by 2-3 cm. Immediately after planting, watering is performed. The selected lemon will need to be transferred to a larger container at the age of 3-5 months. Transshipment should be done as carefully as possible. If the lemon roots are damaged, it will shed its foliage.

How to water?

Moisture is what room lemon loves very much. Care at home for him, as for all citrus fruits, is, among other things, frequent watering. In summer, the soil under the plant is moistened once a day - two. In winter, the lemon is watered once a week. With a lack of moisture, the leaves of this plant change color to yellow-brown.

If this happens, in no case should you pour a lemon with a large amount of water at once. Otherwise he will die root system. You can correct the situation in such a situation by slightly moistening the soil under the plant and spraying it abundantly. It will also be useful to wrap the stem with a damp cloth.

How to fertilize?

You should also feed the lemon quite often. In the summer, once a month, the plant is watered with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. It is best to do this at night. It is also useful to water the lemon with a solution once a month. The best organic fertilizer for this citrus fruit is ordinary cow dung.

You can also purchase complex top dressing containing nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus at the store. With this remedy, the lemon is fed twice a month. Very useful for this decorative culture is wood ash, which contains a huge amount of trace elements.

Lemon care at home in terms of top dressing can also be carried out using purchased formulations designed specifically for citrus fruits. Sometimes houseplant lovers also replace the topsoil in a lemon pot with pond mud, which contains a lot of useful substances. In winter, if the plant bears fruit, it should be fed with complex fertilizer or organic matter once a month.

crown formation

Periodic pruning is also something that indoor lemons require without fail. Home care for this plant in terms of crown formation should be periodic. Otherwise, it may happen that the tree will not bear fruit. For the first time, pruning is done immediately after the lemon reaches a height of 20-30 cm. At this time, the top is carefully removed from it so that 3-4 buds remain on the trunk.

Of these, about a year later, shoots of the first level are formed. After they reach a length of 20-30 cm, they are also pinched. Further, shoots of the second, third, etc. levels will begin to form on the branches. Each new "wave" should be pinched in such a way that it is 5 cm shorter than the previous one. That is, the branches of the second level should have a length of 15-25 cm, the third - 10-20 cm, etc. Of course, you need to remove diseased shoots growing inside the bush, etc.

Pests

Thus, the lemon should be watered and fertilized on time. It is also necessary to engage in the formation of its crown. What other difficulties await the florist who cares for such a plant as indoor lemon at home? Diseases afflict this unfortunately often. Therefore, the lemon may have to be treated from time to time.

Trees of this variety can be affected by both fungi and microorganisms or insect pests. Most often, indoor flower lovers have to deal with scale insects, mealybugs and aphids that infect lemons. All these types of pests are engaged in sucking the juice from the leaves. You can fight them with soapy water or tobacco infusion (50-60 g per liter). Sometimes scale insects, aphids and mites are expelled from plants with the help of a chlorophos solution (30 g per 10 l).

Diseases

Gommosis is also one of the problems that many ornamental plant lovers face when growing indoor lemons. Home care for this citrus includes, among other things, a periodic inspection of the leaves and stem. In a plant that has become ill with gommosis, cracks appear in the lower part of the stem, from which gum begins to stand out. A tree is treated with garden pitch or clay. Cracks are pre-disinfected with a solution of copper sulfate 3%. Then the wounds are simply carefully covered with pitch or clay.

This is how home care is carried out for such a plant as indoor lemon. The photos on the page clearly display the beauty of these citrus fruits. If you grow your lemon according to the rules described in the article, you will grow the same spectacular fragrant tree with bright green leaves and a lush crown.

Plant lovers grow citrus fruits even on the windowsill. What factors are paid attention to in order to see flowering and enjoy exotic fruits?

Factors That Affect Lemon Growth

A lemon that is grown on its own windowsill may differ slightly from those sold in the markets. This is due to the fact that indoor varieties are chosen for home breeding. Small lemons, which have a very thin skin, are especially valued. In addition, they are very bright and look beautiful on the window. Larger fruits will have a dense and thick skin, and will look no less exotic.

No less important for the growth of lemons and the degree of illumination of the room. The right place for a tree indoors is chosen taking into account the fact that it does not like direct sunlight. The most ideal location will have a good degree of illumination throughout the day, but this light will be diffused.

Crockery for the tree also matters. To enter the phase of active growth and the formation of the ovaries of future fruits, it should be placed in a closer pot. If the root system is too spacious, then the flowering phase will be postponed indefinitely. Ideal for planting a plant will be dishes made from natural materials. These are clay products or boxes made of wood.

Land for growth does not really matter. But it must correspond to the qualities of air and water permeability. The soil mix may contain peat and sand. Fertility will add humus. The soil should be loosened.

Moisture has a direct effect on growth. Therefore, abundant watering in spring and summer, when the ambient temperature tends to rise. In winter, the frequency of watering is reduced. Older trees require more moisture. It is desirable that watering is carried out with prepared water. Suitable pre-collected in a container and standing. You can also use thawed water, although the most ideal option is rainwater.

In order for the lemon tree to bear fruit, it is fed. Any of the organic or mineral types of fertilizers will be suitable. The frequency of this procedure should not be too intensive. The optimal period of time is after 20 days.

Lemon care at different times of the year

In summer, the danger for the lemon tree is open sunlight. Therefore, this situation is carefully controlled to avoid burns.

Winter time for lemon is characterized by the stage of final ripening of the fruit. Optimal conditions for this period include moderate temperatures (16-18 degrees). Be sure to maintain optimal humidity (about 70%). Another important condition for the good condition of the tree in winter is the exclusion of air flows that come from heating sources. A pot of lemon is removed away from heaters and radiators. It is also provided with a light source for at least 12 hours.

Lemon tree care is quite capricious. Too high temperatures are not suitable for him, as well as too low. Watering should be moderate, but very dry soil should be avoided. The plant does not like direct sunlight, but requires prolonged exposure during the day to diffused light. Without taking into account and fulfilling all these conditions, it is impossible to achieve the appearance of ovaries, which will subsequently delight with fragrant fruits. Timely watering and fertilizing, proper soil are also of great importance.

Lemon(Citrus limon) belongs to the Rutacea family and combines dozens of varieties of evergreen citrus trees small size. These beautiful plants with a well-leafy crown, they are quite abundant in fruiting. The leaves of the lemon tree are very dense, shiny, dark green in color and have an ovoid-shaped plate with serrated edges. Some varieties of lemon are perfectly adapted for growing at home. Caring for a lemon tree is quite simple. Photo of indoor lemon varieties and rules home care behind this miniature tree you will find later in this article.

Many lovers of indoor plants have long appreciated decorative qualities lemon, as well as the opportunity to annually harvest tasty, juicy and healthy fruits. Indoor lemon can be used to form a floristic composition of bushy and treelike plants in home interior. Together with a lemon, miniature trees such as Benjamin's ficus, Marginata dracaena, Crassula Money tree, Zamioculcas Dollar tree, bonsai sheffler, myrtle with a lush crown, home yucca will look interesting.

One of the most popular indoor lemon tree varieties in our country is Pavlovsky (Citrus Limon Pavlovsky), Panderose (Ponderosa), Meyer (or Chinese). Usually Pavlovian lemons grow to a height of 1.5-2 meters, have a rounded crown shape with oblong shiny leaves. They begin to bear fruit already at 3-4 years. The rough peel of the ripened fruit has a light green color. In a panderose lemon, the first fruiting season at home can begin as early as the second year. The variety is famous not only for its delicate, pleasant-tasting fruit pulp, but also for its abundant flowering. Large cream-colored flowers are collected in beautiful inflorescences.

IN last years Meyer lemon (Citrus Limon Mejer) holds the palm in terms of popularity of growing at home. A miniature tree reaches a height of 1.2-1.5 meters. By pruning and pinching young shoots, you can give a very interesting, original shape to the crown of this lemon tree. This variety of indoor lemon is valued for beautiful flowers white color, with a unique delicate aroma. Fragrant flowers bloom, usually at the end of the winter period, 2-6 pieces per inflorescence or one per shoot. But the most important distinguishing feature Meyer lemon - very juicy, sweet fruits with yellowish-orange flesh. The round fruits are protected by a thin skin and change color during ripening from green to bright yellow or light orange. This miniature lemon tree is often used to form an original phytodesign indoors or for landscaping winter gardens. Against the background of these compact trees with a lush crown, such popular flowering houseplants as the phalaenopsis orchid or dendrobium, male happiness (anthurium) or female happiness (spathiphyllum) flower, Thompson's clerodendrum, New Guinea balsam, home gerbera, miniature saintpaulia violets, geraniums with lush large flowers, tuberous begonia, Persian cyclamen.

♦ WHAT IS IMPORTANT!

Location and lighting.

Indoor lemon refers to a light-loving plant. The plant will feel comfortable on the windowsill of a window facing the east or west side of the room. You can also place a pot with a tree next to the south window on a stand, but in this case it is necessary to shade the window glass so that direct sunlight does not damage the foliage (they begin to appear on the leaf blade yellow spots from burns). If possible, take the lemon tree out to open air when the temperature does not drop below 12°C. At home, try to ventilate the air more often, but keep the plant away from drafts. When will come short periods sunlight during the day, be sure to put phyto or other high-quality plants next to the pot fluorescent lamps. The daily lighting period for indoor lemon is 12-14 hours.

Temperature regime.

The comfortable temperature for a lemon tree in spring and summer is 16-24°C. Sudden temperature changes during the day can worsen the decorative value of the plant - lemon leaves begin to curl and turn yellow at the edges.

In order for the budding period to come on time and the lemon fruits to ripen completely, it is advisable to organize a “cold wintering” the day before. In winter, try to keep the temperature in the range of 14-17°C.

Air humidity.

The best option is moderate humidity. Protect the lemon from dry air during the heating season and in summer heat. Try to spray the plant more often with warm settled water (3 times a day with dry indoor air). You can put a pot with a tree on a pallet with wet pebbles, and place a container of water next to the pot.

Watering.

Water the indoor lemon with warm boiled or settled water for several days. In late autumn and winter, it is necessary to water the plant very moderately, when the top layer of soil dries completely. But it is also impossible to overdry the earthen ball, as the leaves will begin to turn yellow and crumble. In spring and summer, you can water the plant abundantly, but without overflowing. Pour out all the water flowing into the pan. With constant waterlogging of the earthy coma, the roots begin to rot.

Earth mix and top dressing.

To plant a lemon, you can use a purchased substrate for citrus fruits or make an earthen mixture yourself: soddy soil, leafy soil, humus, peat and coarse sand (proportion - 2: 1: 1: 1: 1).

In winter, it is not necessary to feed the lemon (a weak solution of complex fertilizer once a month) if the room is slightly cool. If the room is cold, then fertilizing during wintering is not necessary at all. In spring, summer and until mid-autumn, apply liquid fertilizers once every two weeks, alternating organic top dressing with mineral.

Transfer.

For transplanting, it is best to choose a burnt clay pot with a hole in the bottom. A young plant is transplanted every year, and an adult lemon - once every 3 years, annually changing the topsoil. A 2 cm drainage layer of expanded clay is poured at the bottom of the pot, and a layer of sand is placed on top. A new pot for transplanting should be 5-6 cm in diameter wider than the previous one. Don't deepen root collar trees in the substrate.

Pruning.

Reproduction.

Lemon can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, layering, by grafting (a cutting from a fruiting plant can be grafted onto a three-year-old stock grown from seed).

At home, propagation by cuttings is most often used. From a fruit-bearing indoor lemon, a shoot 3-4 mm thick, ripened since last year, is cut with a sharp knife. into a container with wet with sand deepen the cutting a few centimeters. Roots will begin to appear at high humidity and temperatures of 21-24°C.