Growing a citrus tree indoors is a popular trend. However, it may not be possible for everyone to grow citrus trees due to the climate of their area.
This article will teach you how to grow a Meyer lemon tree indoors. It will also help you choose the right citrus tree for your growing space and provide tips on how to care for your new plant.
If you are looking to start an indoor citrus garden, this article is perfect for you!
Why Grow Meyer Lemon Trees?
Meyer lemons are not grown on every grocery store shelf, but they grow in Florida since the 1920s and can be very easy to care for. These lemons can be used in traditional citrus recipes that require minimal space as well as eat them raw for their sweet & sour taste.
Meyer lemons are also used in a variety of dishes such as salads, desserts, and cocktails. The fruit is also used to make marmalades and candied lemons which are popular during the winter.
Choosing The Right Location
The best place to grow a Meyer lemon tree is in the subtropical region because they need more sunlight than the tropical region which is why they are not as popular here. They also require more water than other types of citrus fruits, but it should not be too much because they will become bitter.
Meyer lemon trees are mostly grown as a household plant and not commercially because it takes time to mature before you can get fruit from them.
How to Grow Meyer Lemon Tree Indoors
Meyer lemon trees are easy to care for, but it is important to know how to take good care of them. Here’s how you can take care of this citrus tree indoors.
Caring for Meyer lemon trees indoors is not difficult. The most important thing you need to do is provide the right amount of sunlight and water them regularly.
The Meyer lemon is a cross between the citron, which is native to South America, and the common lemon. They are sweeter than lemons because there are more sugar molecules on their membranes. They have a thin, smooth rind that turns yellow when they are fully ripe.
Water
When watering a potted tree, overfertilizing can lead to some root rot but underwatered trees can die from neglect. How much is too much and how do I know? That’s the key part. It takes some time to learn the best way to water your trees, and then you’ll be able to determine if they’re getting enough water or not
There is a very easy but effective way I have found to check if the soil needs watering. It is only until my index knuckle gets wet that I consider it necessary to water the tree.
If you keep your lemon tree outdoors in the summer you’ll need to water much more frequently. During the hottest parts of summer, you may even need to water every day. Potted plants need a little more TLC than plants in the ground in the summer because they dry out more quickly and can’t dig deeper with their roots to find water, so they’re solely dependent on you to provide it.
Fertilizing
In order to fertilize your lemon tree, you need to know how much nitrogen is needed for the plant. Nitrogen is an essential nutrient that plants need in order to grow.
Fertilizing can be done in a few ways. The first way is by using natural fertilizer – manure and compost. The second way is by adding chemical fertilizer – urea, ammonium sulfate, etc. The third way is by using a soil test kit and applying the appropriate amount of nutrients according to the results of the soil test.
The third way would be more beneficial than using natural or chemical fertilizer because it would provide a more accurate reading of what nutrients your plant needs, as well as being less expensive than buying chemical fertilizers.
Pruning
Pruning is the process of removing branches and twigs from a plant to maintain its health and shape.
Meyer lemon trees are a great example of plants that require pruning. This process helps the trees grow more vigorously and prevents them from becoming too large.
How To Take Care Of Your Meyer Lemon Trees In Winter
During winter, meyer lemon trees go dormant as they do not need much water during this time of year. However, it is important to keep them watered enough so they stay alive. If you live in a colder climate, you should protect your tree from frost damage by covering it with a tarp or wrap it in plastic sheeting to prevent the tree from freezing.
The best way to take care of your meyer lemon trees during winter is by using mulch around them to retain moisture in the soil and help prevent frost damage.
Common Meyer Lemon Pests & Diseases
Spider mites are small, red insects that suck the juice out of citrus plants. They can be a threat to your citrus tree if they are not treated.
Meyer lemon trees are often planted in gardens and homes due to their fragrant flowers and fruit. However, these small pests can do damage to your plant if they’re not treated by professional pest control services or by you.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are small, red insects that suck the juice out of citrus plants. They can be a threat to your citrus tree if they are not treated.
Meyer lemon trees are often planted in gardens and homes due to their fragrant flowers and fruit. However, these small pests can do damage to your plant if they’re not treated by you.
Root Rot
Root rot is a very common problem for citrus trees. It is caused by a fungus that attacks the roots of citrus trees, causing them to die.
One of the most important things you can do is make sure your tree has plenty of water. The best way to do this is by watering your tree in the morning or evening when it’s not hot outside and then again before bedtime, letting the water soak in overnight.
Harvesting Fruit
Harvesting Meyer lemons is not difficult as long as you know when to pick them. You should harvest when the fruits are ripe which means they have a yellow color with a slight bump on the skin. This will give you an idea of how ripe they are by looking at their color. If they are greenish in color, it means that they aren’t ripe yet and you should wait for another day or two before harvesting them.
The best way to harvest Meyer lemons is to use your hands because it will give you more juice than if you use a knife or other tool.