Lemon is one of the foods richest in vitamins and nutrients. This versatile ingredient can be used in beauty recipes, culinary preparations and for an infinite number of things… Unfortunately, the lemon we find in our markets is often full of chemical substances that take away part of its benefits and compromise our health. Here’s how to grow organic and natural lemons quickly and easily.
In addition to its many proven virtues, the lemon is one of the best trees to grow at home if you want to decorate it while enjoying the delicious scent released by its fruits. And contrary to what some may believe, you don’t need to have a yard to plant a lemon tree. Learn how to grow a potted lemon tree and harvest lemons that are natural, organic and much better than those you buy in the markets.
Why should you have a lemon tree in your home?
As you probably already know, lemon is one of the most used natural ingredients in cosmetics and traditional medicine. Its richness in antioxidants and its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties make it a magical ingredient that should be favored by anyone concerned about their well-being and health. Yes, but why not just buy the lemon, you say? The answer is simple: the lemon you grow at home is an organic lemon, natural and safe for your health. It does not contain pesticides or chemicals that are harmful to your body. Furthermore, by planting a lemon tree at home, you will embalm your terrace and add a touch of elegance that is absolutely not destined to go unnoticed.
How to grow a lemon tree in a pot?
Ready to put yourself in the shoes of a gardener and grow your own lemon tree? Follow the steps below:
– 1st method:
– Buy a small lemon tree (between 2 and 3 years old).
– Take a large perforated pot (about 16 cm deep), the latter must be larger than the roots of your lemon tree.
– Place some soil mixed with compost and sand in the pot.
– Prune the roots of your lemon tree, then push it into your pot, cover carefully with soil, then water it.
– 2nd method:
– Mix the soil with sand and compost and moisten it with water. But be careful! If your soil is too wet, your seeds may rot.
– Take a pot about 16 cm deep with drainage holes, and fill it with the soil mixture you have prepared.
– Cut an organic lemon into pieces, and take a seed . The latter must not be too small and must be in good condition.
– Soak your seed in warm water overnight to clean it and free it from all the substances surrounding it.
– Dig a hole about 3cm deep in your pot and plant your lemon seed, then cover it with soil. (You can plant several seeds in a single pot, but the pot must be large enough to accommodate the roots of your lemon trees.)
– Cover your pot with cellophane, and pierce it with a toothpick so your plant can breathe.
– Place the pot in a sunny place and water the soil regularly.
– As soon as the first shoots begin to appear (about two weeks after sowing), remove the cellophane.
How to maintain a lemon tree?
Like all other plants, the lemon tree needs certain conditions so that it can develop optimally and provide you with good quality lemons. Here are some guidelines for maintaining it:
– The lemon tree should be watered once every two days in summer, and about once or twice a week in winter. Keep in mind that the soil must be very dry before watering.
– Fertilize your lemon tree by adding citrus maintenance fertilizer to your pot.
– Towards the end of winter , prune your lemon tree by removing dead wood and useless branches.
– The lemon tree loves heat, and cannot tolerate low temperatures. This is why it is strongly recommended to protect it during the winter.
– Repot your lemon tree every two to three years. Remember that the ideal season for repotting is spring.