Meyer Lemon: variety description and home care with photo

Meyer's Lemon cultivar produces fruits with an unusual aroma several times a year. The peculiarity of this culture lies in the fact that hybridization took place in natural conditions. The variety is based on lemon and orange, thanks to which the fruits of the plant differ from the usual ones in color, taste, number of seeds and other characteristics. In its modern form, Meyer turned out thanks to Chinese gardeners.

Description and characteristics of homemade Meyer lemon

Meyer Lemon is suitable for home growing. The popularity of this culture was determined by the compact crown and early fruiting. The first lemons ripen on a seed-grown tree in the fourth or fifth year after planting, a record among citrus fruits.

Meyer lemon grows to a height of no more than 2 meters. The crown of the tree is dense, with bright green leaves that emit a pleasant smell. White flowers also exude fragrance.

The fruits of the tree are distinguished by their small size and compact arrangement on the branches.

Pros and cons of the variety

Meyer's strengths include the following:

• high adaptability to new growing conditions;
• low temperature tolerance;
• good tasting fruits;
• long and frequent fruiting.

From the disadvantages of lemon, exactingness in terms of care is distinguished. Failure to follow the rules of cultivation leads to the rapid death of the tree. Meyer fruits are not suitable for long-term storage.

Methods of reproduction

This culture is propagated by seeds or cuttings. The latter option is preferable, as it often allows you to grow a fruit-bearing tree.

With the help of seeds

Reproduction in this way is carried out as follows:

• seeds are pre-washed and dried;
• prepared seeds are laid out on moistened gauze and hidden in a box;
• after the first shoots appear, the plant is planted in prepared soil.

Gauze, before the first shoots appear, must be constantly moistened. After planting, the plant is recommended to be watered every two days. When the tree trunk reaches 8 millimeters in diameter, the plant will curl up.

By cuttings

This breeding method involves the following steps:

• A shoot with five leaves is cut off from the tree, which is then placed for 20 hours in a weak solution of manganese;
• at the cut point, the cutting is processed with a sharp knife;
• except for the top three, all leaves are removed;
• the prepared shoot is planted in a pot with drainage and soil and covered with plastic wrap (glass).

The sprout pot should be placed in an area that receives diffused sunlight. After 2-3 weeks, you can remove the polyethylene, first for 2 hours, and then gradually increasing the interval.

Boarding rules

Young plants are recommended to be planted in a soil mixture obtained from sand, leafy soil, humus and sod (proportions, respectively, 1:1:1:2). A similar substrate is prepared for mature trees.

At the same time, it is recommended to add one part of clay and three parts of turf to the mixture, leaving other ingredients in the indicated proportions.

The root neck of the plant should be placed at ground level. In the first 5 years, the lemon must be transplanted annually into a new larger container. In the future, this procedure must be repeated every 3 years. It is not recommended to immediately plant a tree in a large container. In this case, the root system may rot.

How to properly care for a plant?

Meyer lemon constantly bears fruit, provided that the tree grows in conditions as close to natural as possible. To do this, it will be necessary to provide the desired level of illumination, temperature conditions and regular watering.

Lighting, humidity and temperature conditions

The plant constantly bears fruit, provided that sunlight falls on the leaves for 12 hours. Therefore, it is recommended to install a tree pot on an east or south window. In winter, it is necessary to organize artificial lighting.

Meyer's variety does not tolerate drafts and sudden temperature changes. During the summer season, the plant is recommended to be kept indoors at 20 degrees. In the cold season, the temperature in the room should be 12 degrees. The optimum humidity level is 65-70%. In this regard, the tree should be removed to the maximum distance from the batteries.

Water and fertilize

It is recommended to water the tree twice a week, regardless of the season. You also need to spray the leaves regularly. As a top dressing, a mixture is used, which includes potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. Fertilizers should be applied weekly, from March to September. In order for the lemon to get enough trace elements, every three months the tree is fed with a solution of manganese.

Cutting rules

A large seedling is shortened to 20 centimeters. At the top, developed buds should remain, from which branches will later appear, forming the skeleton of the future crown.Of these shoots, then 3-4 of the most he althy are left. After that, the branches that form the skeleton are cut to 25 centimeters. Subsequent shoots are shortened to 10 centimeters. And branches of the fourth order are cut to 5 centimeters.

Protection from diseases and pests

Meyer's lemon is subject to "attacks" of scale insects and spider mites. This plant is not susceptible to diseases. Treating a lemon with a jet of water helps get rid of a spider mite, and a mixture of liquid soap and kerosene (proportion 2: 1) helps to get rid of a scale insect.

For prevention purposes, it is recommended to apply a solution of a liter of water, celtan and karbofos, taken in an amount of 2 grams, to the tree 2 times a year.

Harvesting and storage of crops

Meyer fruits should be harvested as they ripen. Lemons of this variety are not suitable for long-term storage.

Recommended