Lemons

[Inor]

I have never lived anywhere that citrus grows so I have absolutely no knowledge about it. But I have been to California many times and seen lemon and lime groves. The lemon trees are about the same size as apple and pear trees back home. That is, they are usually around 15-20 feet tall and planted in the ground. In the courtyard of my hotel this week I noticed about 10 of these:

1212

I do not know if you can really get a sense for the size from the photo, but the pots these are planted in are about 3 feet tall. The lemon trees are only about 2-3 feet above the pot at the tallest point. In other words, the lemon trees are smaller than tomato plants. The "trunks" on these plants are less than an inch in diameter. They actually had to stake it up to hold the weight of the lemons! On the plant in the picture, I counted 22 lemons in various stages of growth and the lemons that were ready to be picked were about the same size as the lemons in the grocery store.

So my question is: Are these some kind of special mutant hybrid lemon tree that is designed to be really small and produce a buttload of lemons? And if you can grow them in pots, could us northlanders also grow them and just bring the pots inside in the winter?

I mean how cool would that be if SHTF? The mobs are rioting for food and Mrs Inor and I are sitting on the back deck with our M4geries across our laps drinking fresh-squeezed lemonade from our own lemon tree. :doubleguns:

[hawgrider]

I'm guessing its a dwarf variety but that's only a guess. Pretty impressive though for a little tyke.

[Arklatex]

Yes you can get them. There are also dwarf pear, peach, orange, lime and I think apple as well. I haven't tried them yet but I want to. I'll find you a link.

[Arklatex]

Here's one link. There are more.

http://www.gurneys.com/product/dwarf_citrus_tree_collection

[hawgrider]

I noticed they say Zones 9 & 10
I wonder if they could be brought inside for the ugly stuff us in the north deal with.


http://cdn.gurneys.com/images/Zone_map4.gif

[Inor]

I noticed they say Zones 9 & 10
I wonder if they could be brought inside for the ugly stuff us in the north deal with.


That is what I am thinking. They are so small it would not be any different than any other houseplant in the winter. I am guessing they would not get enough sun to produce fruit in the winter. But if you could keep them alive, I bet they would LOVE the longer days in the summer. Hmmm...

[Arklatex]

I think yall are correct. They are not very expensive anyway so we should all give it a try. Another great thing prepper wise is that it is a delicious source of vitamin c to keep us healthy and ward off scurvy. It would also be worth it's weight in gold as a barter item. Especially up north where most of yall are.

[Arklatex]

http://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/lawn-and-garden/dwarf-fruit-trees/article

[MI.oldguy]

In zone 4.where us northerners are,they would probably do best in a hothouse.look at florida now,the citrus capital of the US. a few days of freezing weather and zilch,there goes the crop.other than California right now,no water.used to live in the central valley of Cal.when there was even going to be a simple frost,the farmers were out with their smudge pots and big fans to keep everything warm.it was a free for all at the co-ops getting heaters and etc.

[hawgrider]

In zone 4.where us northerners are,they would probably do best in a hothouse.look at florida now,the citrus capital of the US. a few days of freezing weather and zilch,there goes the crop.other than California right now,no water.used to live in the central valley of Cal.when there was even going to be a simple frost,the farmers were out with their smudge pots and big fans to keep everything warm.it was a free for all at the co-ops getting heaters and etc. You sir have a very short growing season up there in God's Country! Id love to have a nice big green house with all the fixens. I am In zone 5

[MI.oldguy]

You sir have a very short growing season up there in God's Country! Id love to have a nice big green house with all the fixens. I am In zone 5

Very short.looks like even shorter this year.we would love to have a hoop house but,would not be able to afford to even try to keep it warm.

[Slippy]

That is what I am thinking. They are so small it would not be any different than any other houseplant in the winter. I am guessing they would not get enough sun to produce fruit in the winter. But if you could keep them alive, I bet they would LOVE the longer days in the summer. Hmmm...

1213

Inor,

Lemon Trees do come in different varieties and sizes. They can be picky little bastards but if you are willing to take some time with them they can and will produce fruit. As you know, Slippy Lodge is in the SE US in Zone 8.

The larger tree is about 6 years old and is approx. 3 feet tall. We've transferred it every 2 years or so into a larger pot and make sure the soil drains well otherwise you'll drown the tree. Every winter we bring it inside and it goes dormant and loses some, but not all of it leaves.

Most of the time, we keep it by the window to get as much sun as possible and if you can zoom in, you'll see it has started to bud already. Usually, after the last freeze in March or so, we put it back outside.

We started the smaller 2 trees last summer from seeds of the fruit of the larger tree and they have done very well this winter. Notice they have NOT gone dormant for some reason.

Also note, that the larger tree did not produce fruit the first two years. Every other year it produces more fruit than the year before and I have no idea why. We try and fertilize it with a basic high nitrogen fertilizer but may go to a Citrus Specific fertilizer this year to see if that improves the yield. The lemons stay green a long time then quickly change to yellow.

Good Luck!

[MrsInor]

Good luck? I will need it as Inor is absent from home more than at home. I suppose since I made it through the great tomato plant experiment last winter, I can do a lemon tree.

[RWalls]

I really don't like dwarf varieties of fruit trees. Semi dwarf are ok. Animals beat them up pretty bad and steal the fruit. It would be great to have OJ in GA if this country falls apart.

[RWalls]

Wow, just found this site. I may give this a go.

http://www.appalachianfeet.com/2012/02/25/how-to-grow-tasty-citrus-outside-in-zone-7-tangerines-grapefruit-oranges-more/

[Pauls]

In order to keep the dwarf trees alive, indoors and in the winter, you will need to have them under grow lights for between 12 and 14 hours a day. You should move them indoors before the first frost and keep them indoors until after the last frost. Dwarf trees do not withstand the cold at all.

[Inor]

1213

Inor,

Lemon Trees do come in different varieties and sizes. They can be picky little bastards but if you are willing to take some time with them they can and will produce fruit. As you know, Slippy Lodge is in the SE US in Zone 8.

The larger tree is about 6 years old and is approx. 3 feet tall. We've transferred it every 2 years or so into a larger pot and make sure the soil drains well otherwise you'll drown the tree. Every winter we bring it inside and it goes dormant and loses some, but not all of it leaves.

Most of the time, we keep it by the window to get as much sun as possible and if you can zoom in, you'll see it has started to bud already. Usually, after the last freeze in March or so, we put it back outside.

We started the smaller 2 trees last summer from seeds of the fruit of the larger tree and they have done very well this winter. Notice they have NOT gone dormant for some reason.

Also note, that the larger tree did not produce fruit the first two years. Every other year it produces more fruit than the year before and I have no idea why. We try and fertilize it with a basic high nitrogen fertilizer but may go to a Citrus Specific fertilizer this year to see if that improves the yield. The lemons stay green a long time then quickly change to yellow.

Good Luck!

Very cool Slip!

Mrs Inor: Do you think Long Rider would want grandson's bed back? He doesn't use it that often and that space would be perfect for 2 lemon and 2 lime trees! Grandson is young. He can take one for the team when he spends the night at our place. :biglaugh:

[MrsInor]

Ummmm - No.


Very cool Slip!

Mrs Inor: Do you think Long Rider would want grandson's bed back? He doesn't use it that often and that space would be perfect for 2 lemon and 2 lime trees! Grandson is young. He can take one for the team when he spends the night at our place. :biglaugh: