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The
Meyer Lemon Tree
is a hardy variety and the best lemon tree for subtropical
climates such as the gulf coast of the United States. The
Meyer Lemon is not actually a real lemon but a cross
between a lemon, a type of orange and a mandarin. While
it retains most of the characteristics of a lemon, it has
a bit less acidity, less bitterness, more sweetness and
thinner skin. The skin of the Meyer Lemon lacks the
typical zest of a real lemon. It has gained favor because
it bears a heavy crop and it is a relatively hardy plant.
-
Meyer Lemon Trees perform best with full sun (at least
8 hours per day).
- Regular
water with well drained soil. No wet feet..
- Hardy
to 25 degrees Fahrenheit (-4 degrees centigrade)
- Preferred
hardiness zones (U.S. - 9, 10, 11)
- Can
grow in a pot to restrict size or in areas that can suffer
a heavy freeze.
- Grows
to 15 feet tall and wide or larger if planted in the ground.
- Sandy,
well-drained, dry, alkaline soil works best.
- Tolerates
acidic soil if necessary.
- Low
salt tolerance.
- Rounded
growth habit.
- Medium
rate of growth.
- Used
for Patio Tree, Screen, Fruit and as a Specimen Plant
The
Meyer Lemon bears heavily when mature. Its crop size increases
as the plant matures. It may bear 10 or more lemons even
at 3 years old. The fruit is green in color until it matures.
When mature on the tree, the Meyer Lemon changes to a yellow-orange
color. That will take longer than you expect. The main crop
matures in the summer. In a tropical climate, the Meyer
Lemon Tree can bear fruit nearly all year long.
Guard
against snails that can eat the buds and leaves of the Meyer
Lemon tree.
After
3 or 4 years in a pot, you need to replace the soil since
it will be exhausted of nutrients. You can either replant
into a larger pot or cut away some of the outer roots with
a sharp, strong knife and replant in the same pot but with
fresh soil.
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