Growing Meyers Lemon Trees
Meyers Lemon Trees are a very popular variety of lemon tree because they are very hardy and pretty easy to grow. Meyer Lemon Trees are cross between lemon and some type of sweet orange. Meyers Lemons are quite popular because of their touch of sweetness, beautiful dark green shiny leaves, wonderful fragrance and the ease of growth. Most varieties of lemon trees can only be grown in warm climate areas, Meyers Lemon Trees can sustain temperature down to 15° F, although I would suggest protecting a Meyers Lemon Tree from temperatures below 32°.
Meyers Lemon Trees are evergreen meaning they keep their color year round. They are disease and insect resistant except for slugs. Slugs are attracted to Meyers Lemon Trees, in particular the buds. There are many remedies to protect trees and plants from slugs, do not use any that involve salt. Meyers Lemon Trees do not do well with salt and can kill the tree.
Meyers Lemon Trees can be grown indoors or outdoors. If you live in an area that has cold winter temperature, Meyer Lemons can be grown in a container outdoors during warm weather. If you grow your lemon tree in a container, be sure the container has drainage holes in the bottom. Meyer lemon Trees prefer sandy, well drained, alkaline soil. The soil needs to be changed every 2 1/2 years to 3 years. They need to be fertilized during their growing season. Keep your Meyers Lemon Tree well watered, but do not allow the tree to stand in water.
To protect your Meyers Lemon Tree from cold climates, the best thing you can do is to bring the lemon tree indoors. Bringing a tree indoors is not always possible, in that case there are a few things you should do to protect your tree. As soon as temperatures begin to approach freezing, wrap your lemon tree in burlap using care not to break the branches. Follow the burlap wrap with a roofing tar paper wrap. Use fallen leaves to insulate the container and protect the roots. Make the leaf barrier approximately 6 to 8 inches higher than the rim of the pot and approximately 1 foot thick. Use the same winterizing technique if your tree is planted directly in the ground.
Meyers Lemon Trees need full sun at least 6 to 8 hours per day.
Meyers Lemon Trees are slow growing. They can produce lemons in as little as 1 year. The older the tree is, the more fruit it will bear.
If your Meyers Lemon Tree is getting too tall for you, you can prune it to keep the tree smaller and more compact.
Meyers Lemon Trees produce fruit about the size of a fig or plum. The fruit starts out green then turns yellow. it takes on a slight orange hue when fully ripe.
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Interesting article on growing Meyer lemon trees.
I bought small Meyer lemon trees for myself and neighbor last year. We've been through the coldest Florida and they are both green and doing well. I've seen them grow here the size of grapefruits and so juicy and tasty.
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