3200 Lemon tree, very pretty

Carol and Dame, we have a huge lemon tree in the back which seems to produce fruit all year round. I suppose the younger the tree the more vulnerable it would be to the elements.

You will generally find this type of honesty here, he doesn't want you to blame him when it dies, listen to him, and try to find somewhere in doors where you can store it for the worst weather, or, you could always try using agricultural fleece over the whole plant (they sell tree sized bag shapes here) and remember to insulate the pot too, it should then be OK over the winter.
Good Luck.

Carol

I haven't bought one yet, because they're delicate, but my friend has one. I'm not so sure you can keep it in a small pot, at some point, it will need to be transfered to a larger one. My friend had to have a base with wheels made by the Fabro, so she could easily take it in doors. They must come in during the winter, but still have light. If the weather is harsh, as it is here in Umbria, the fleece won't do. I sadly lost a few plants kept under fleece this last winter, which was on the whole, not terribly cold. Remember that all large country houses in England had a greenhouse & or an orangery, which is where they kept them in winter.

My friend also had to treat hers for some sort of virus. They are wonderful, but do need attention. If you haven't spent too much money, then you will be able to learn with this one.

I would love any hints, myself, on how to grow them, it's not really Italy without them, is it?

I'm currently working in the garden myself, getting thing planted in my l'orto & trying to propagate.

Good luck & good gardening

Lavender Field

We have two lemon trees, one planted in our front yard and the other planted in a pot on our upstairs deck. The one in the pot (his name is Jack Lemon) wasn't
doing great for a couple of years.

Then I put an umbrella (large white one) up on our deck because during the summer we get extreme light and when we sit out on the chairs around the table, it's just too bright. Well, Jack loves the umbrella! It gives some protection from the cold, wind and rain, and gives him filtered light during the bright spring and summer. He's still small (maybe 3 feet) but is now full and happy and always loaded with lemons. A month or so ago I had to unload him because he had 37 lemons good to go. For a little guy he seems to really be happy.:)

Your story brought a tear to my eye ;) (Jack Lemon Tsk, Tsk...:))

Here's a photo of happy Jack and his umbrella (far left in this photo) lol :)

[url]http://home.comcast.net/~jocscott/House/UpDeck2.JPG[/url]

Some additional tips:

Planting: Citrus trees thrive in pots or in the ground provided they receive full sun and shelter from wind. All citrus need excellent drainage; plant in potting soil or amend existing soil with compost, aged sawdust, or peat moss. When planting, make sure that the top of the root ball is at ground level; planting too deeply encourages rot. Water immediately.

Water: Water regularly to keep the soil moist but never soggy. Do not overwater.

Fertilizer: Citrus trees are heavy feeders. Several weeks after planting, begin a feeding regimen with citrus fertilizer (follow instructions on the bag).

Pruning: Citrus need little pruning. For young trees, remove suckers and prune off branches to create desired shape. Prune older trees to keep the interior from becoming too shaded. For best results, prune after fruiting.

Harvest: Citrus fruit ripens from fall to spring, depending on type. Pick fruits when they look market ready. Note that the fruit ripens only on the tree; do not pick early and attempt to ripen off the tree. To remove fruit, use shears to cut just above the point where the fruit joins a stem.

Pests and Problems: Common pests include scale, spider mites, mealybugs, snails, thrips, aphids, and earwigs. Diseases include fungal leaf spot, scab, root rot, and crown rot. For identification and control methods, visit your local nursery and bring an affected part of the plant (in a sealed plastic bag). Many citrus trees suffer from iron deficiency, a type of chlorosis that makes leaves turn pale green while veins stay dark green. Cure by spraying foliage with a chelated iron solution every two weeks until leaves look normal.

Thanks for sharing so many tips, greatscott! I liked your piccie of Jack L too... great name for a lemon tree! :D

Hope to buy one here in Scotland soon, but will need to keep it small so it can fit into the kitchen over the winter(together with the camellias & lavender & small rhododendron...)!

Your tips will surely help...

Cheers!

Thank you all for your tips and special thanks to greatscott for his expertise. I wonder if having such a wonderful name helps Jack to flourish so well?

We are at 400m altitude, in the hills of Umbria, and all we do with our tree in winter is to pull it under the roof of our open portico, to protect it from the frost......

[img]http://www.theolivehouse.it/albums/lemon1.jpg[/img]

although some local people mollycoddle theirs with natty little trolleys.....

[img]http://www.theolivehouse.it/albums/lemon2.jpg[/img]

We also make ours share its container with geraniums which which, for some reason, horrifies the Italians.

Anyway, there's nothing quite as satisfying as popping out of the front door for a lemon for the G&T. This one's next in line......

[img]http://www.italymag.co.uk/forums/attachments/forum34/382-lemon3.jpg[/img]

Beautiful heathy tree Marc! How stunning your view and deck are too! Thanks so much for sharing your photos with us. :)

Must agree with greatscott, Marc! Lovely view... and what a nice not-so-little tree!!

You just wait... in a few years' time they'll all have geraniums sharing containers with their lemon trees! ;)