How to grow a lemon tree at home, basic care. Lemon tree at home, cultivation and care How to care for a lemon tree in a pot at home

Many amateur gardeners would probably like to know how to grow properly. Caring for this plant is relatively simple. However, in order for the lemon to grow lush and spectacular, you should adhere to certain recommendations regarding watering and fertilizing technology. This is especially true during the winter season.

How to care in October - April: general rules

How is it grown in the autumn? winter period at home? Caring for it in winter is a little different than in summer. This plant remains green all year round. However, in October - April, all its vegetation processes, of course, slow down. In the warm season, lemon is usually fed twice. In winter, this operation is not performed. However, this plant also needs watering during the cold period. IN wildlife The lemon tree grows in humid tropics and subtropics. Consequently, it is very sensitive to soil drying out. The only thing is that you should moisten the soil in the pot less often in winter. In the warm season, the lemon tree is watered 2-3 times a week, in winter - no more than once.

What should the air temperature be?

In city apartments and houses in winter time usually quite warm. The air temperature can fluctuate between 12-25 degrees. In principle, lemon tolerates such a microclimate quite well. However, although the plant is not deciduous, its crown may thin out slightly at such temperatures. Therefore, some amateur gardeners install lemongrass in separate room and periodically open a window there. The fact is that at a temperature of 10-12 degrees. The tree's photosynthesis processes are greatly slowed down. Its roots stop consuming nutrients, and it stops growth. But at the same time not a single leaf falls from the bush. The plant remains as spectacular as in summer.

Where is the best place to put a lemon tree?

In terms of lighting, this plant is considered quite whimsical. The lemon tree feels best in a south-east window. Of course, it is not always possible to arrange a plant in this way. In principle, lemon can be placed on both the northern and southern windowsill. However, in the first case, in the cold season (and preferably in spring and summer), the plant will have to be illuminated using an artificial lamp.

On the south window, the leaves and branches of the plant should be slightly shaded, including in winter. Otherwise, burns may appear on them.

How does a lemon reproduce?

As you can see, it’s actually not particularly difficult to care for a houseplant like a lemon tree in winter (and even in summer) at home. Its propagation is also a fairly simple procedure. You can grow luxurious, healthy citrus fruits from:

Selection of planting material

As for seedlings, they can often be seen in specialized stores. However experienced flower growers It is not recommended to buy such material. Stores usually sell plants brought from Brazil, Greece or Holland. In these countries, young lemons are grown in greenhouses. This is done so that they are as lush as possible and have a marketable appearance.

Being transported to city ​​apartment, such seedlings very quickly become unsightly and even stop growing. Lemon tolerates a change of environment (especially for the worse) extremely poorly. In this case, among other things, it will be very difficult to care for a plant such as a lemon tree at home. Diseases, stoppage of development, loss of foliage - these are the problems that a lover of indoor flowers will most likely have to face.

Therefore, in an apartment, it is better to try to grow a lemon from a cutting or seed. The first one is simply cut from an adult plant. If there are no lemons in your home greenhouse yet, you can ask a flower grower you know for a cutting.

It is also undesirable to send such material by mail. The cutting will most likely turn out to be of poor quality and non-viable. The fact is that in this way sellers usually simply get rid of lemons that are thrown away on plantations.

A good solution would be to grow a seedling from a seed. This technique is considered even simpler. However, unfortunately, in this case it is impossible to quickly obtain a fruit-bearing lemon tree. Care at home (a seedling grows extremely slowly from a seed) for a plant in in this case for a long time will only consist of fairly frequent watering. But the fruits on such a seedling will most likely begin to grow no earlier than in 12 years.

Which variety to choose

Of course, only wild plants can be grown from seeds. As for cuttings, in this case there is a choice. Many amateur gardeners are interested in which is better to grow, tall or short, lemon tree at home. Caring for compact and large plants carried out approximately the same. However, a tall lemon should still be chosen only if the grower has enough free time. Such a plant will have to be watered, trimmed and fed a little more often than a small one.

Tall ones include, for example, the following:

    Novogruzinsky.

Among the short ones, the most popular are:

    Meyer (Chinese).

    Lemon Genoa.

Planting container and soil

Since lemon is a rather capricious plant regarding root rot, the pot for it must be selected as carefully as possible. The best choice for seedlings is clay. The walls of such containers allow air to pass through well, allowing the roots to breathe. Of course, the pot must have holes in the bottom. Clay shards should also be placed on these drainage holes. A layer of coarse sand is poured on top of them.

The soil for lemon also needs to be selected correctly. The best composition for this plant is:

    leaf humus - 1-2 parts;

    turf soil - 1 part;

    coarse sand - 1 part.

How to grow from cuttings

Planting material of this variety should have a length of about 10 cm. First, the cuttings should be soaked in warm water for 2-3 days, immersed half the length. Next, it is buried 3 cm into the prepared soil. The roots of the lemon cuttings appear after about 60 days. It is better to plant several in a pot at once. Then the chance of getting at least one new plant will increase.

Until the lemon trees take root, they should be sprayed periodically (at least once a day). The soil in the pot should have moderate moisture.

Growing from seeds

This is also a very good way to get a luxurious lemon tree at home. In this case, caring for the seedling will be even easier. An amateur gardener will only have to make sure that the soil in the pot with the planted lemon does not dry out.

Seeds should be taken from healthy, large fruits. They must not be allowed to dry out. As soon as they are removed from the lemon, they should be planted immediately. They are buried 2 cm into the ground. The seed planted in this way is watered and covered with a jar on top.

Lemon transplant

Periodic transplants are what is required for such an inhabitant of an indoor greenhouse as a lemon tree. Caring for it at home, even the best, will otherwise not be particularly effective. The fact is that the roots of lemons, and especially large ones, consume quite a lot of nutrients. Therefore, the soil in the pot under the plant is quickly depleted.

Lemon is replanted in spring or autumn (later). Young lemons are transferred to other containers once a year, adults - no more than once every 2 years. Actually, this procedure itself is carried out as follows:

    The day before transplanting, thoroughly water the soil in the pot.

    The plant is carefully removed from the old pot, holding it by the stem.

    The removed lemon is placed in a new pot and the space between the lump and the walls of the pot is filled with pre-prepared soil.

After transplanting, the plant should be watered.

Fertilizer application

As already mentioned, lemon is not fed in winter. This is done only in spring and summer. Moreover, only mature plants are fertilized. Lemons planted from cuttings or from seeds do not need to be fed at first. Trees that have reached three to four years of age? Fertilize twice per season (50 g per liter of water).

Diseases and pests

If you follow the growing technology, you can get a very beautiful lemon tree at home. Caring for this plant, however, may involve more than just watering and fertilizing. Like all indoor flowers, lemons sometimes get sick. Most often, trees are affected by:

    Late blight. They fight this disease either with a weak solution of copper sulfate, or with special antifungal drugs.

    Sooty fungus. The methods of control in this case should be the same as for late blight disease.

    Gomoz. In this case, a crack appears on the stem of the diseased plant. In order to help the lemon, the wound should be cleaned and lubricated with a solution of vitriol.

    Malsecco. This is perhaps the most dangerous disease that a lover of indoor flowers may encounter when caring for a plant such as a lemon tree at home. The leaves have fallen, the twigs have begun to dry out, which means that the bush most likely “caught” the malsecco virus. Unfortunately, it is impossible to cure this disease.

Lemon and insect pests can attack. Most often these are white flies, ticks or scale insects. The former are usually fought with karbofos, the latter are destroyed with garlic infusion (1 head per half liter of water). Scale insects can be expelled by wiping the leaves, twigs and trunk with a mixture of soap and kerosene in a ratio of 1:0.5.

This is how such a tropical guest as the lemon tree is cared for at home. The photos presented on this page clearly demonstrate how effective it can be if watering technologies, periodic replantings, etc. are followed. Pay more attention to your tree, and it will delight you with lush foliage, a healthy appearance, and over time, even fruiting .

Evergreen perennial indoor lemon belongs to the rutaceae family, a genus of citrus fruits. India, at the foot of the Himalayas, is considered its homeland. Growing it on the windowsill at home is not difficult and very exciting. With proper care, the bush will be able to bear fruit; its fruits are as tasty as those grown under the southern sun.

Types of indoor lemons

Domesticated citrus attracts with its shiny emerald leaves and bright yellow fruits. Indoor lemon - description:

  • the plant is considered low-growing, the oldest specimens can reach a height of 1.5 m;
  • the bush has thorny branches;
  • leaves are leathery, elongated, oval, toothed, contain essential oil;
  • several times a year the plant forms small white rosettes (4-5 cm in diameter) with many stamens and a delicate aroma that cleanses the room of unpleasant odors;
  • the bud develops 5 weeks, blooms 50 days;
  • Domestic citrus bears fruit from one to four times a year, depending on the variety, the development period of the fruit is 200-230 days;
  • the fruit has a light yellow color and a noticeable lemon smell, the pulp is juicy and sour;
  • With normal development, the crop bears fruit all year round - ovaries, buds, flowers and fruits can simultaneously develop on the bush.

Indoor lemons - varieties:


Growing indoor lemon

It is easier to grow indoor lemons from seeds. To place the bush, it is better to choose southern or eastern window sills with good lighting. Lemon is a heat-loving houseplant. optimal temperature for him + 15-22°С. Planting is carried out at a depth of 1-2 cm with a distance of 5 cm in small pots with drainage made of expanded clay or charcoal. Keep the seed in a bright place, it germinates after 2 weeks. After the sprouts appear, choose a strong one and cover it with a jar. After a pair of true leaves have sprouted, the specimen is planted in a 10-centimeter pot.

Soil for indoor lemon

Fertile soil for indoor lemons should be slightly acidic or neutral (6-7 pH), aerated. To prepare it yourself, you need to make a mixture of meadow turf, leaf soil, coarse sand, and humus in the ratio (2:2:1:1). You can use citrus soil from the store, mixing it in equal parts with peat. Then the composition will be light and breathable.

Reproduction of indoor lemons

For indoor lemons, cuttings are a popular propagation method. For sprouts in spring, shoots 10 cm in size with 3-4 buds and 2-3 leaves are taken. The twig is treated with a stimulator for root development and placed in water for 3 days. Soil made from humus, coarse sand and flower earth in equal shares. The cuttings are dropped to a depth of 3 cm, the leaves are moistened daily, the substrate should not have stagnant water. Rooting occurs after 30-45 days, then the cutting can be planted in another pot.


Indoor lemon - home care

Caring for indoor lemons is a troublesome task. He loves good lighting, temperature and watering conditions. For leaf growth, it needs a minimum of +17°C; during fruit development, the temperature must be increased to +22°C. Care indoor lemon involves organizing good lighting. Direct sunlight should hit the bush for 2 hours a day. To prevent the tree from developing one-sided, every 10 days it must be rotated 10° around its axis. In winter with short daylight hours– organize lighting using lamps.

Trimming indoor lemons

  • in the first year of life the plant produces a shoot of 30 cm;
  • in the second season in the spring, you need to trim it with pruning shears, leaving a height of 20 cm, and the tree will begin to produce lateral buds;
  • the lower shoots must be cut off, leaving the 3 upper ones - they will form the skeleton of the crop;
  • the next year they do the same with the side branches - they are shortened to stimulate the development of daughter shoots, then a few upper shoots are left;
  • indoor lemon acquires beautiful view in the presence of trunks up to 5-6 branching levels;
  • In the future, pinching fast-growing shoots or removing them is enough.

How to feed indoor lemon?

Citrus at home needs feeding. They begin to feed the trees when they reach 2-3 years of age. For fertilizer, complex mineral compositions are used in the spring summer period twice a month. From mid-autumn, feeding is carried out once every 6 weeks. Two hours before fertilizing, it is important to water the substrate in the pot with clean water.

From organic matter, the lemon tree prefers wood ash extract, birch infusion (half a jar of leaves is poured with water and kept for 2-3 days), diluted 5-6 times fresh manure. Organic fertilizer for indoor lemon is applied at the same frequency as mineral nutrition. If there is intensive growth of green mass to the detriment of fruits, nitrogen must be removed from the fertilizing and a phosphorus component must be added;

Watering indoor lemon

Before courting room conditions for lemon, it is important to learn the rules of its hydration. From May to September, homemade citrus needs moderate watering every other day; in winter it is reduced to once a week. The tree is moistened with cold water, standing for 5 hours. Pour it over the entire surface of the pot. The plant loves to be sprayed with heated boiled water, especially in winter if there are heating systems around. For citrus, “wet” air around the crown is more important than excess moisture in the soil.


Diseases of lemons indoors

Why do indoor lemon leaves turn yellow?

Often, improper care leads to illness in indoor lemons; the leaves of the plant turn yellow. There are several reasons:

  1. Lack of nutrients. Calcium is responsible for root system, phosphorus helps in the formation of tasty fruits, nitrogen affects the healthy color of foliage, and potassium contributes to its normal absorption. Timely application of fertilizers with such elements will help prevent yellowing of the foliage.
  2. Lack of lighting. An indoor lemon needs a 12-hour day; if it is shorter, lighting with a fluorescent lamp will help.
  3. Excess light and direct sunlight cause burns on the leaves. The tree must be moved to a shaded place.
  4. Lack of moisture causes the tips of the leaves to turn yellow. It is necessary to spray the plant daily using a spray bottle. It is useful to keep water in a flat bowl next to the pot for evaporation. In summer, it is recommended to wash the plant in the shower once a week.
  5. Sudden changes in temperature, drafts, and proximity to heating devices can also lead to yellowing of foliage. Then you need to get rid of such unfavorable factors.

Why do indoor lemon leaves fall off?

Unfavorable conditions for keeping the bush lead to the fact that it begins to shed its leaves. This often happens in the autumn-winter period. The more healthy leaves a tree has, the better it grows and bears fruit; the condition of the bush is judged by their number. In some cases, the plant recovers on its own, but it is important to eliminate the cause of the unpleasant phenomenon. If a indoor lemon has dropped its leaves, what should you do:

  • if there is a lack of moisture, you should spray the plant more often and do not allow the soil to dry out;
  • if the plant does not have enough light, use additional lamps;
  • prevent hypothermia of the roots, water the bush only with warm water;
  • if the pot is cramped, the bush must be transplanted into a container bigger size(by 2-4 cm);
  • control that there is no excess moisture in the soil, leading to rotting of the roots;
  • inspect the tree for pests; if any are found, carry out treatment.

Diseases of indoor lemon - sticky leaves

In some cases, the foliage on the shoots becomes sticky - as if it had been sprayed with syrup, and crystals may even form. The disease is caused by a scale insect that has settled on a tree. If treatment is untimely, a sooty fungus develops in the sticky liquid, which appears as dark spots on branches, trunks and leaves; without treatment, the plant dies.

To remove plaque, wipe the foliage with a solution of transformer oil (6 ml per 1 liter of water). After 5-7 days, the treatment is repeated. The solution removes sticky plaque and kills young scale insects. You can use another method of treating lemon - indoor plant care in the form of spraying with carbofox or tobacco solution also helps a lot. Treatment is carried out 2-3 times with an interval of 7 days.


Pests of indoor lemon

Citrus fruits can also be damaged by typical pests. To grow indoor lemon, you need to know how to fight it:

  1. If they are present, the leaves fall off, the branches dry out, and the plant dies. Pests are cleaned with a brush, the leaves are washed with soap emulsion (2 tablespoons of liquid product per 1 liter of water), garlic water (7-8 crushed heads are infused in a bucket of water for a day).
  2. It is located at the bottom of the leaf and gradually envelops the entire crop. If damaged, spray the tree with Aktelika solution and repeat 3 times with an interval of 10 days.
  3. It feeds on greenery, causing leaves to dry out and fruits to crack. The plant must be inspected and its larvae removed manually.
  4. Aphid. Eats the tops of shoots. The plant must be sprayed three times (every 10 days) with Aktelik solution. You can place a pot of geraniums nearby. Spraying with garlic water will also help.
  5. Thrips. They look like small black dots, can fly, and spread viruses. To destroy the bush, wash it in the shower and treat it with soap emulsion.
  6. Whiteflies. The larvae are located at the bottom of the leaves. The bush is sprayed at least 5 times every three days.

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

Grow beautiful tree, which will delight you with fragrant fruits, can be done at home. But this plant has a whimsical character and requires attention not only to watering, but also to the temperature regime of the room where it is located. Required element care is fertilizing, which is carried out in accordance with certain rules. Air humidity, lighting, and timely replanting are also important. If all elements of care are performed regularly and efficiently, the plant will bear fruit and delight with ovaries.

Factors that affect lemon growth

The lemon that is grown on your windowsill may be slightly different from those sold in the markets. This is due to the fact that for home breeding choose indoor varieties. Particularly prized are small lemons, which have very thin peels. In addition, they look very bright and beautiful on the window. Larger 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 subtropical climate where it comes from. This determines that it comfortable temperature 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 becomes below 70%. And 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 is the level of illumination in the room. Right place For a tree indoors, it is chosen taking into account the fact that it does not like direct sunlight. The most ideal location will have a good amount of light throughout the day, but this light will be diffuse.

Dishes for the tree are also important. To enter the phase of active growth and formation of the ovaries of future fruits, it should be placed in a tighter pot. If the root system is too spacious, the flowering phase will be delayed indefinitely. Ideal for planting plants would be dishes made from natural materials. These are clay products or boxes made of wood.

Land is not particularly important for growth. But it must meet the qualities of air and water permeability. The soil mixture 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 time when the ambient temperature tends to rise. In winter, the frequency of watering is reduced. Older trees require more moisture. It is advisable that watering be carried out with prepared water. Pre-filled in a container and left to stand will do. You can also use thawed water, although most perfect option- rain.

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 intense. The optimal period of time is after 20 days.

Lemon care at different times of the year

To grow a lemon, caring for the plant at home 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 will later become fragrant fruits. The temperature should be in the range of 14-18 degrees. Unnecessarily 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 is good for 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 changes due to possible further frost and a decrease in temperature at night. To avoid the death of the plant, it is wrapped.

In summer, open sunlight poses a danger to the lemon tree. 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). Definitely support optimal humidity(about 70%). Another important condition good condition trees in winter are an exception to air flows that come from heating sources. The pot with lemon is removed away from heaters and radiators. It is also provided with a light source for at least 12 hours.

Lemon Tree Quite tricky to care for. Excessively high temperatures are not suitable for it, nor are too low temperatures. Watering should be moderate, but very dry soil should be avoided. The plant does not like direct sunlight, but requires prolonged exposure to diffused light throughout the day. Without taking into account and fulfilling all these conditions, it is impossible to achieve the appearance of ovaries, which will subsequently delight you with fragrant fruits. Timely watering and fertilizing, the right soil are also of great importance.

Mistakes when growing lemons on video

[Ratings: 8 Average rating: 5]

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

You can grow a beautiful tree that will delight you with fragrant fruits at home. But this plant has a whimsical character and 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 fertilizing, which is carried out in accordance with certain rules. Air humidity, lighting, and timely replanting are also important. If all elements of care are performed regularly and efficiently, the plant will bear fruit and delight with ovaries.

Factors that affect lemon growth

The lemon that is grown on your windowsill may be slightly different from those sold in the markets. This is due to the fact that indoor varieties are chosen for home breeding. Particularly prized are small lemons, which have very thin peels. In addition, they look very bright and beautiful on the window. Larger 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 subtropical climate where it comes from. This means 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 becomes below 70%. And 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 is the level of illumination in 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 amount of light throughout the day, but this light will be diffuse.

Dishes for the tree are also important. To enter the phase of active growth and formation of the ovaries of future fruits, it should be placed in a tighter pot. If the root system is too spacious, the flowering phase will be delayed indefinitely. Dishes made from natural materials are ideal for planting plants. These are clay products or boxes made of wood.

Land is not particularly important for growth. But it must meet the qualities of air and water permeability. The soil mixture 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 advisable that watering be carried out with prepared water. Pre-filled in a container and left to stand will do. 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 intense. The optimal period of time is after 20 days.

Lemon care at different times of the year

To grow a lemon, caring for the plant at home 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 will later become fragrant fruits. The temperature should be in the range of 14-18 degrees. An excessively warm room will cause the buds and ovaries to drop. And such an event can provoke the death of the entire tree.

Fresh air is good for 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 changes due to possible further frost and a decrease in temperature at night. To avoid the death of the plant, it is wrapped.

In summer, open sunlight poses a danger to the lemon tree. 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 a tree in winter is the exclusion of air flows that come from heating sources. The pot with lemon is removed away from heaters and radiators. It is also provided with a light source for at least 12 hours.

The lemon tree is quite capricious to care for. Excessively high temperatures are not suitable for it, nor are too low temperatures. Watering should be moderate, but very dry soil should be avoided. The plant does not like direct sunlight, but requires prolonged exposure to diffused light throughout the day. Without taking into account and fulfilling all these conditions, it is impossible to achieve the appearance of ovaries, which will subsequently delight you with fragrant fruits. Timely watering and fertilizing, proper soil are also of great importance.

Mistakes when growing lemons on video

You bought a young lemon tree in the hope of receiving harvests of fragrant fruits all year round for tea parties and strengthening the immune system.

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

Indoor lemon: care at home

Caring for lemon is: regular watering, sufficient lighting, fertilizing, maintaining temperature and air humidity. It is equally important to know how to transplant homemade lemon.

If you decide to grow a lemon tree at home, familiarize yourself with the intricacies of care:

Watering the lemon

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

The main thing in watering a lemon is to avoid stagnation of water in the soil, leading to rotting of the roots, and not to overdry the earthen ball: this can lead to the leaf curling and the leaves and lemons falling off.

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 rather than leaves. The tree bears fruit well in bright, diffused light: it is best to keep it on windows facing east. If the window is south, be sure to protect the plant from direct sunlight in summer.

To ensure that the crown grows evenly, we turn the lemon tree in the direction of the sun twice a month. And we don’t allow low light: in partial shade and shade, the leaf grows slowly, and the fruits turn out to be too sour.

Temperature

Caring for homemade lemon requires maintaining a certain air temperature.

  • While the lemon is growing and gaining green mass, or blooming, we keep it in a room where the temperature is 17-20 degrees.
  • When the fruits appear and ripen, the temperature is needed a couple of degrees higher.
  • In winter, during the dormant period, a temperature of no higher than 14 degrees is required, or 18°C, if the plant is not yet “sleeping” - in this case, we provide it with 12 hours of daylight with the help of phytolamps.

Do not keep the lemon in a hot room or 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 the weather is expected to be cool).

Indoor lemon: care at home

Humidity level for lemon

We figured out how to water a lemon: we find out what level of air humidity is suitable for growing it. He needs quite high humidity, especially in 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 level of humidity, place a wide-necked jar filled with water near the pot with lemon so that it evaporates, or place the pot in a tray, placing moisture-evaporating material in it.

Third option: turn on a household humidifier next to the plant.

Lemon feeding

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

How to feed lemon? With mineral and organic fertilizers, water the plant 2 hours before the procedure so as not to burn the roots.

  • Fertilization with minerals. For feeding you will need a ready-made product such as a “citrus mixture”, in which the proportions N:P:K are 14:16:18. We dilute it in water according to the attached instructions and water the soil.
  • Organic fertilizer. Make an infusion by mixing 1 part water and 1 part mullein ( horse manure) and, after waiting 7 days, dilute it with water: mullein infusion - 1 to 15, horse ball 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 how to care for, need to be replanted 1 and 2 years after planting.

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

We simply transfer the plant, carefully shaking off some of the old soil, 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 replant 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 don’t 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 trimmed - in the spring, at a low stem of about 18 cm, before the green mass begins to grow. We cut off the shoots, leaving 5 leaves, so that by the time fruiting begins the tree will branch out.

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

Forming the crown of an indoor lemon

Lemon blossom on the windowsill and harvest

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

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

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

The flowers do not require pollination and bloom for about 2 months.

Lemons can bear fruit up to 4 times a year: it depends on the variety. It takes about 6-8 weeks for the fruit to develop and begin to ripen. The peel of fully ripened lemons takes on a rich golden hue: this means it’s time to harvest.

If you delay picking, 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 lemons at home so that they grow strong and healthy and produce a lot of fruit. Follow all the rules for keeping indoor lemons, and they will delight you all year round. beautiful flowering and abundant fruiting.

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 healthy citrus for the human body. With its help you can prepare delicious tea and boost your immunity.

Proper care of lemons is a guarantee of fruit production

So if you want everything healthy vitamins, you need to know how to care for a lemon tree.

Watering lemon

Home care primarily involves proper watering. In cold weather, water homemade lemon once a week. To do this, you need to settle warm water 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. You need to add water to the ground strictly according to the scheme, so as not to harm the root system of the lemon, because a large number of moisture can lead to its rotting, and a lack of water leads to the fact that the lemon tree at home begins to shed its leaves. This is the first answer to the question of how to care for homemade lemon.

Lighting

It's 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 long daylight hours. The amount of light only affects 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 correct formation The tree's crown should be rotated several times a month.

The shade negatively affects the development of 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

Caring for lemons at home requires temperature control. This is one of the main conditions for lemon fruiting.

The temperature regime for lemon should be as follows:

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

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

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

Humidity level

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

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

Top dressing

Caring for indoor lemon also includes feeding it. In summer, it is carried out once every seven days, and in winter - every month, if the lemon bears fruit. If there are no fruits, then you can do this less often. Caring for a lemon tree involves fertilizing with mineral and organic fertilizers.

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

Organic fertilizers for lemons must be prepared correctly. To do this, you need to fill the manure with water and leave it for a week. After which 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 lemons.

Transfer

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

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

Lemon transplantation is carried out in the spring

Flowering and fruiting of lemon

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

Flower removal process:

  1. First blooming lemon cut off in half, leaving ovaries for four fruits.
  2. When the tree begins to bloom for the second time, leave the ovaries for six lemons.
  3. 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, you should not be afraid to pick off flowers.

The plant bears fruit about four times a year, depending on the variety and care. From the moment of development to the moment of maturation, approximately 6 months pass.

A fully ripened fruit has a golden skin. You should not delay harvesting, because the lemon will lose all its beneficial properties.

Lemon blossoms should be regulated

Lemon pollination in pots

Flowering and fruiting occur only in mature plants. If the lemon is still young, it is recommended to pick off all the flowers. To bear fruit, the tree must have about 20 mature leaves. Early fruiting exhausts the plant and it may die. If the tree has grown stronger, 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.

Using prepared tools, carefully 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 medications. Biological products “Bud” or “Ovary” are popular. They allow fruits to form in cases where the ovary develops very poorly.

If you have a lemon, caring for it at home will require a lot of work. It belongs to the remontant plants, therefore, under certain conditions, it can bloom and bear fruit all year round. But not everyone manages not only to taste the fruits of their citrus, but also to simply admire 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 these purposes. They do not grow to gigantic dimensions, but at the same time they are characterized by high productivity. 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 Meyer lemon; caring for it is the least troublesome compared to other types. This variety is sometimes called Chinese Dwarf, and its fruits are not as sour as other varieties. Dwarf lemons are not known for their rich harvest, but they will add coziness to the interior of the apartment.

Video about indoor lemon

Tall lemons will certainly delight you with tasty and large fruits, but at the same time they require a lot of time to care for, since in addition to the usual activities, they require more frequent pruning, tying and crown formation. If you are interested in such citrus fruits, choose among the following varieties:

  • Novogruzinsky
  • Kursk

Creating optimal lighting, temperature and humidity conditions

How to care for lemons in an ordinary city apartment, when there is no heating, the windows face north, or the air is too dry for citrus? You will have to provide the tree comfortable conditions growth and development.

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

Photo of homemade lemon

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

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

On the south side of the house there is always plenty of light, and even too much for a lemon. Therefore, during the midday hours it is necessary to shade your citrus, saving it from the destructive effects 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 in terms of thermal conditions.

In the spring, during the budding period, the room temperature should be 14 - 16 degrees. A high degree causes the buds to dry out and drop, while a low degree helps to slow down or even stop this process. During the rest period it is enough room temperature up to 26 degrees. If possible, move your pet to a glassed-in balcony for the summer. Fresh air will benefit the lemon and the question of how to care for the lemon will not be so pressing. However, you should be wary of how sudden changes temperature and drafts. Like a true southerner, indoor lemon requires meticulous care.

The photo shows a homemade lemon

Moisture. This parameter is very important for lemon. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the soil in the pot is constantly slightly moist. In summer it is reasonable to increase the number of waterings to 3 times per week, and in winter you can reduce it to 1 time, but spray the air around the tree. This is provided that heating devices stand far from the plant. Be sure to water the lemon with non-cold water that has stood 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 curled, browning leaves on the lemon.

We fertilize, feed...

Lemon, like other 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.

The photo shows a lemon tree

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

  • For abundant fruiting, sometimes regular watering is replaced with infusion eggshells. But you should not get carried away with this method, so that excess calcium does not reduce the acidity of the soil.
  • If the plant develops normally, has a healthy appearance and pleases with flowering, you can refuse to apply fertilizers.
  • During the growing season, it is worth feeding the lemon with superphosphate twice (50 grams of fertilizer per 1 liter).
  • Ammonium nitrate is highly recommended for improving growth. It is taken in a proportion of 30 grams per liter of water. You can water with this fertilizer monthly.
  • Periodically water your lemon with a 7-day infusion of horse manure, diluted ten times.
  • Lemon needs microelements for normal development: magnesium, phosphorus, nitrogen and others. To compensate for their deficiency, you can use Citrus mixture fertilizer once a quarter. 2-3 grams of this fertilizer are diluted in a liter of water and used instead of the main watering.

Pruning and replanting indoor lemon

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

Copies older than 3 years - with a frequency of 2-3 years. However, the need for a transplant may arise “unplanned”, for example, due to illness or deterioration of the lemon’s condition.

The photo shows a lemon transplant

  1. The soil around the trunk is watered generously to soften it, then the tree is carefully removed. In this case, extreme care must be taken so as not to disturb the earthen lump and not touch the root system.
  2. If you find damaged roots, cut them with a sharp knife or blade.
  3. For transplantation, take a container 30-50% larger than the previous one. A pot that is too large, as well as a pot that is too small, will slow growth. Give preference to a cone-shaped container.
  4. Place a shard at the bottom of the pot on the drainage hole so that its convex side is on top. Then a layer of drainage (small pebbles, pebbles), a thin layer of dry manure and earthen mixture is laid.
  5. Closer to the center of the pot, a tree is installed along with a lump 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 there is no need to compact it tightly.

Lemon pruning is done in order to form a beautiful crown and improve fruiting.

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

Vertically grown branches should be pruned without pity.

To form the correct shape, the flower pot must be carefully rotated relative to the sun every 10 days. Gardeners sometimes improve the crown using copper wire - they secure individual branches with it, giving them the desired direction of growth.

Photo of lemon trimming

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

Homemade lemon - emergency care

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

Dried citrus needs watering. By appearance foliage - it becomes yellowish-brownish and sparse - it is easy to guess the cause of the disease. But don’t rush to irrigate the soil abundantly; you can damage the root system. It’s 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 this “outfit” 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 off en masse. As soon as a symptom is identified, perform a transplant immediately. Carefully remove the tree from the pot and place it together with the soil ball on newspaper or cardboard to allow the roots to dry. You need to plant it in soil that is slightly moistened and continue to water it moderately.

In the photo there is a homemade lemon with fallen leaves

It is very difficult to save a frozen lemon. In conditions of sudden cold weather, the vital activity of the plant may cease. In addition to the fall of leaves, the trunk darkens when it freezes. You can try to carry out “resuscitation”. To do this, move the lemon to a warmer room and extend daylight hours with the help of artificial lights. It makes sense to transplant into another pot. When removing, be sure to inspect the rhizome and remove dead and rotten parts. Remove dried branches.

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

Important! You can’t change your place and habitat often; it takes a long time and doesn’t adapt well to new circumstances. Therefore, it slows down growth and fruiting, and may even show signs of disease. Both drafts and unventilated rooms are equally destructive for it.

Photo of lemon tree

Pests and diseases of lemon

The appearance of white flies may indicate stagnation. Their larvae feed on roots and cause significant damage to the plant. Insecticides are used to combat them various types- watering solutions and aerosol forms to kill insects that have managed to hatch. Karbofos and Aktelik are quite effective in combating these insects.

It is necessary to regularly inspect lemon leaves, on which mites and scale insects can settle. Externally, mites resemble tiny spiders. They are distinguished by their orange or brown color, which stands out noticeably against the green background of the back of the leaves. They cover the damaged areas with a thin web, which makes it easy to recognize pests. Wash the twigs and leaves on both sides several times at intervals of three to four days under a shower head with strong water pressure. Repeated spraying with infusions is effective

  • garlic (infuse 1 medium-sized head in 0.5 liters of water),
  • onion (1 onion, finely grated, poured with a liter of water),
  • bay leaf (2-3 leaves per 0.5 liter jar of water)
  • strong brew 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 products.

Scale insects look like small brown turtles, motionless and tightly attached to the leaves. It's difficult 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.

Lemons often 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 of keeping the flower; perhaps it makes sense to replant it. But in this case, choose a different soil than the current one. Perhaps it was the acidity of the soil that caused the disease.

Video about indoor lemon pests

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

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

Lemon - evergreen, whose homeland is the subtropics, but with appropriate care and the creation of certain conditions, the tree feels great in an apartment.

You can grow it from an ordinary seed, however, you can achieve excellent taste and normal ripening of the fruit only from seeds purchased in a specialized store. More than X centuries ago, lemons were brought to Mediterranean countries from India, and later came to Africa and America. Now lemons are not found in the wild; all lemon groves are the work of human hands.

Lemon - growing at home

As you know, growing a whimsical lemon indoors is not easy. This requires optimal creation of growing conditions close to tropical, as well as timely, regular care. Great importance when breeding citrus has its variety.

In indoor conditions, the success of growing a tree is guaranteed in a bright, ventilated room and if there is regular feeding.

Today, growing citrus fruits at home, including lemons, has become very fashionable. Available in specialized stores a great variety of varieties both lemons themselves and their hybrids.

How to understand such abundance, how to choose a variety that suits your climatic and indoor conditions?

Types and varieties of lemon for home cultivation





The following lemon varieties are ideal for growing indoors:

  1. Pavlovsky. An old variety that is popular among gardeners. It begins to bloom in the third year after planting. The thin-skinned fruits, weighing 200–400 grams, are very tasty. In a year, a tree can produce from 6 to 15 lemons.
  2. Lunario. It is most widespread in Europe. It blooms for 2-3 years and bears from 8 to 16 fruits weighing 130-180 grams. The taste of lemons is average. The variety is very unpretentious and does not require special care.
  3. Ponderosa. The tree is small (up to one meter), blooms within 1-2 years. The fruits are tasty, weighing up to 300 g. The only negative is the low yield (3-5 per year). The variety is unpretentious.
  4. Lisbon. The variety is resistant to heat, easy to care for, and has thorns on the branches. Fruits weigh 180−200 grams with excellent taste. Fruits in the 3rd year after planting, yield is from 6 to 16 lemons. The height of the plant can be reduced by correctly forming the crown.
  5. Meyer. Thanks to your small sizes(0.5-1 m) this variety has gained the greatest popularity among lovers ornamental plants. Blooms for 1-2 years. Fruits weigh 150−190 g, taste is average. The tree produces from 6 to 15 lemons per year.

Also suitable for growing at home are varieties such as Novogruzinsky, Villafranca, Maikopsky(have the highest yields), Genoa and Kursk, variegated Eureka (white veins are noticeable on the leaves).

Indoor lemon - home care

The lemon tree is propagated by grafting, pitting or cuttings. However, it is not at all necessary to plant it yourself.

The finished plant can be purchase at flower shop , specialized nursery or botanical garden.

It is necessary to determine in advance the place for the new settler. The following factors should be taken into account:

  • Keep it away from heating systems, as heat has a negative effect on the plant.
  • Consider the height of the ceilings - indoor lemon grows up to two meters. If the size of your ceilings does not allow you to grow an ordinary tree, you should pay attention to citrofortunella or dwarf varieties(Meyer lemon).
  • Frequent movements have a bad effect on the well-being of the plant, so it is necessary to immediately determine a permanent place for the pet.

Lighting and Humidity

Indoor lemon is a light-loving plant. Ideal place for him there will be the south-eastern or southern side of the apartment, where there is diffused sunlight.

You can keep it in the sun for some time, but no more than two hours a day, otherwise the tree may get burned.

Lemon in winter needs additional lighting. Since indoor citrus fruits turn their leaves following the light, it is necessary to periodically turn the flowerpot so that the plant does not look one-sided.

The procedure should be carried out with great care. Lack of light causes various diseases and leads to slower growth, and conversely, too long (more than 12 hours a day) and strong lighting slows down fruiting and provokes growth.

The level of humidity plays an important role in caring for indoor lemons. Ideal indicators are 60-70% at an air temperature of +18 °C. If the room is very hot, it is necessary 2 times a day spray the plant itself and the air around him.

Temperature

Temperature plays an important role at the main stage of plant care (in spring). At this time, the lemon begins to actively grow and bloom. Citrus trees can tolerate temperatures ranging from 14°C to 27°C.

However, these values must be permanent. Temperature changes negatively affect citrus fruits. During the flowering period, the air temperature in the house should not exceed + 18 °C, otherwise the buds will dry out and fall off.

In spring (from +12 °C) a container with a tree can be placed on a balcony, loggia or garden plot. This has a beneficial effect on lemon growth.

In winter, the plant requires colder conditions content. An insulated balcony could be an ideal place. In a hot apartment, citrus fruits can get sick and even die. At night, the crown should be wrapped in natural, light fabric.

The soil

Citrus fruits do not tolerate too acidic soil; the soil should be neutral. The earth must be constantly loosened. The approximate composition of the soil may be as follows:

  • wood ash - ¼ part;
  • sand - 1 part;
  • deciduous soil - 2 parts;
  • humus - ½ part.

Necessarily need to add drainage(charcoal, small gravel, etc.). For adult plants, a small amount of clay is added.

Watering and fertilizing indoor lemon

The lemon tree needs abundant watering. It is better to use natural water: snow, rain or river. If applies tap water, you must first boil, stand and acidify. This will make it softer.

In summer the plant needs to be watered abundantly twice a day. The bottom of the flowerpot should have holes and the soil should be well-drained, which will avoid stagnation of moisture in the root system.

In the autumn, watering should be reduced, and in winter it is enough to water 1-2 times a week. Do not forget about periodic spraying of the trunk, crown and surrounding air.

The need for hydration can be determined by the following signs:

  1. A lump of soil from a flowerpot easily crumbles in your hands.
  2. Young boring plants have a drooping appearance.
  3. Grayish tint of soil.
  4. The leaves of the crown are curled into a “tube”.
  5. If you click on the flowerpot with your finger, you will hear a ringing sound.

Watering indoor tree depends on the following factors:

  • season;
  • air humidity (more often when low);
  • temperature (the lower, the less frequent);
  • age of the tree (the younger, the rarer).

Fertilizing plays an important role in caring for a lemon tree. For normal growth and fruiting, the plant needs nutrients. Between March and October fertilizers should be applied at intervals of once every three weeks.

Wherein mineral supplements must be alternated with organic ones. In summer, fertilizers are applied during watering, in other periods - 2 hours after moistening the soil.

Overfeeding the plant has a negative effect on growth and development, so it is better to under-fertilize. In winter, citrus fruits do not need to be fed.

Diseases and pests

Like all house plants, the lemon tree is also susceptible to pest attack and infection.

Scale insects damage foliage. The leaves are covered with round brownish scales, which are practically impossible to mechanically separate. The pest is protected by a wax shell, so chemicals do not have any effect on the scale insect.

After some time, a sticky mass is released from the leaves and if not taken necessary measures - leaves turn yellow and fall off. It is better to start fighting the pest immediately. To do this, you need to inspect the leaves daily, especially on the underside.

The ideal conditions for the growth and development of spider mites are dry air and heat. The leaves of the plant are wrapped in a “tube”. It takes the insect only a week to lay eggs.

  • The lemon tree must be placed away from other house plants.
  • The leaves of the crown should be inspected daily.
  • Wipe the leaves with soapy water every month.
  • Rinse the crown in the shower weekly.

If aphids or mites are found, you should spray with solution: 1 tbsp. l. tobacco dust, pour boiling water (1 tbsp), leave for 6 days. Grate the laundry soap and add to the resulting infusion. Spray once a week for a month.

You can also use garlic infusion: Chop the head of garlic and pour boiling water (1 tbsp), leave for 48 hours in a dark, sealed container. Strain. Use the same as the first option.

To combat spider mite can be used chemical preparation "Omite" in a proportion of 4 ml per liter of water. Spray every week for 21 days. There are other means, but it must be taken into account that they are toxic and the treatment should be carried out with gloves, ensuring unobstructed air access.

The citrus tree is susceptible to various types of viral, infectious and bacterial diseases. The first ones cannot be treated. The virus can live for 10 years before the first signs appear. Therefore, only a specialist can determine its presence.

Infectious diseases

Root rot. Easily visible during mass leaf fall. Treatment: remove the tree from the flowerpot, rinse the roots thoroughly, removing rotten parts. Transplant the plant into a new container filled with high-quality soil.

Disease Malseco affects young shoots and can lead to death. First the tips get sick, then the foliage and wood. Diseased areas take on a brick color. The crown sheds its leaves. Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment.

Gommosis disease. The trunk is affected. Bottom part gradually begins to crack and acquires a brown tint. The cracks grow and a dark, glue-like liquid oozes out. The tree is rotting.

Treatment: damaged areas cover with copper sulfate, transplant the plant into fertilized, fresh soil. You should first carefully inspect and wash the roots. In severe cases, gommosis cannot be treated.

The main reason for the occurrence infectious diseases is insufficient care for a house plant. It must be taken into account that both fruit-bearing and decorative types lemon tree.