Growing New Zealand Lemon
Among exotic houseplants, citrus trees are popular. Growing them is a convenient way to show your gardening talent in a home or apartment. The choice falls on the New Zealand lemon if a person wants to get the maximum benefit at the lowest cost.
Growing New Zealand Lemon
Lemon characteristic
The variety was bred when lemon and citron were dusty among themselves.
The hybrid with soil cultivation can withstand frosts down to -5 ° C, but it is rarely grown in the open field. At the same time, lemon is popular for home cultivation.
Description of the tree
Under natural conditions, the tree reaches 4 m in height, the description of ornamental varieties fixes the growth at around 2-3 m. The crown of the lemon is wide, of medium density. The leaves are large, up to 7-9 cm in length, oval in shape, somewhat wide in the middle. Crown color is dark green. The edges of the leaf pointed at the end are formed in the form of denticles.
It is characterized by the presence of long narrow lionfish on the foliage, as well as a large number of thorns, which reach a size of 1 to 5 cm. A distinctive feature of the deciduous mass is a strong smell, reminiscent of lemon and citron at the same time.
Lemon flowers are large - up to 6 cm in diameter. They are located one by one or they are collected in small inflorescences of 2-3 pieces. According to the description, the color of flowers from the outside is blue-violet, inside is white. The buds are distinguished by their graceful shape and characteristic strong aroma.
Description of fruits
The fruit of the New Zealand lemon is considered one of the largest citrus fruits in the world. Their weight reaches 600-800 g, but there are specimens weighing up to 1 kg or more.
The fruits are ovoid or oval in shape with a bumpy surface that resembles a citron. The skin is thick, sometimes up to 1 cm in thickness, poorly separated from the pulp, slightly oily to the touch. The color ranges from orange to light yellow. There is a pronounced nipple at the end of the fetus.
The pulp is loose, juicy. The color of the flesh is pale, yellowish-gray, like citron and grapefruit. The lemon tastes sour, but without bitterness, is characterized by a weak aroma. There are usually few seeds inside the fruit, the maximum number is 4.
Growing lemon
The tree needs proper care
To plant a tree, take a ceramic pot that protects the culture from excessive moisture.
A drainage layer is placed at the bottom of the container: broken foam, expanded clay, pebbles or charcoal. For a seedling, garden soil mixed with pus, or a commercially available flower mixture for houseplants, is suitable. After planting, the plant is watered with a small amount of water, the depression around the root is compared with the general level so that moisture does not collect there and the root system does not begin to rot in the future.
While the seedling is small and has not yet reached 15-20 cm in height, it is covered with a glass jar, opening for airing for a couple of minutes. This provides the right microclimate for the development of the lemon.
Older plants require appropriate care conditions:
- A pot with a tree is placed on the south or east side near the windows. New Zealand lemon loves the sun, but feels comfortable during a short, 5-6 hours, daylight hours during an active period of development. In order for the development of the crown to be harmonious, the container should be turned in a circle every day.
- Create an appropriate climate. The ideal temperature for this variety is 17 ° C. During the flowering period, which begins in the spring, it is better to keep warm within the range of 14 ° -18 ° C: an increase in temperature will cause rejection of the ovaries and dropping of buds. In summer, during the ripening of the fruit, the temperature may rise to 22 ° C. During this period, it is allowed to take the tree out into the air, but it is important to cover it at night in order to protect it from sudden changes in temperature. In winter, when the passive period begins, the room temperature should not exceed 12 ° -14 ° C.
- Lemon in room conditions is watered twice a week. During the active growing season, from May to September, the soil is moistened every day in small portions. The substrate under the roots is allowed to dry until the next watering, so as not to provoke root rot. For humidification, use settled or filtered water at room temperature. If the air in the room is dry, especially in winter, the leaves are sprayed with warm boiled water in moderation.
- The tree is fertilized in accordance with the growth period and age. Young seedlings require feeding every 1.5-2 months, adult fruiting plants in spring and summer need a one-time feeding for 2-3 weeks, since autumn the frequency of fertilization is reduced, in winter lemon can exist without any additional feeding. Standard flower mineral mixtures are suitable for fertilizers, as well as organic ones diluted with water: fresh manure, ash extract, infusion of quinoa or birch leaves (half a can of leaves is poured with boiling water and insisted in a dark place for 2-3 days). 2 hours before the feeding process, the tree is watered for better absorption of nutrients.
Diseases and pests
New Zealand lemon is susceptible to infectious and fungal diseases, as well as attack by pests. The infection infects trees that are poorly cared for.
Lemon disease
The plant can cope with diseases on its own
Most often, the plant copes with ailments on its own. Only a few are dangerous:
- Citrus Cancer. Infection affects the leaves, provoking the appearance of brown spots, foliage decay, disfigurement and death of fruits. It is impossible to cure the disease; in order to prevent, the crown is sprayed with liquid copper fungicide in the spring.
- Gomoz. The disease affects the trunk and branches of the lemon, causing them to crack. A sticky, golden, fast-setting substance oozes from the holes. To combat this infection, the affected areas of the bark or branches are cut off, the wounds are covered with garden varnish. The procedure is repeated as needed.
- Scab. The disease affects the leaves: they are covered with yellow spots, which together form gray-pink growths. The infection spreads from the leaves to the shoots, causing the plant to shed fruits. To combat the disease, the infected parts of the crown are removed, the tree is sprayed with 1% Bordeaux mixture.
- Root rot. The disease occurs due to excessive watering. To get rid of it, completely change the substrate and capacity. After transplanting, the tree is not watered for about a week. The plant is initially kept in a well-lit place, wiping the leaves with damp gauze.
Lemon pests
A known harmful insect is the scale insect, which enters the plant in the larval stage. The adult is fixedly attached to the underside of the leaf, covered with a hard wax shield. A diseased plant is unable to resist infections, and therefore dries up quickly.To combat this pest, the crown is sprayed with garlic water, insecticides or soapy water: 2 tbsp. liquid soap for 1 liter of water. After 2 hours of waiting, the solution is washed off under the shower.
The appearance of spider mites is caused by the dryness of the room. A characteristic feature of this pest is the curling of the sheets and covering them with cobwebs. To get rid of the tick, the crown is abundantly watered with 1% boric acid solution. If necessary, repeat the procedure after 5 days.
As a preventive measure, lemon is sprayed with fungicides and insecticides. They also organize the most comfortable conditions for the growth of lemon, monitor the level of illumination, watering and fertilization. A tree should not be allowed to plant in contaminated soil.
Conclusion
New Zealand lemon has varietal differences among other citrus fruits. It is appreciated for its aroma and beautiful appearance of the tree, therefore it is more often used as an ornamental plant. An interesting experience is the cultivation of its fruits - hybrids of lemon and citron. Good plant care will bring aesthetic pleasure to any gardener.