If you are entering the interesting world of horticulture and want stimulate a lemon tree To ensure that the next harvest is more abundant, you will be interested in what we are going to tell you.
Because we are going to explain the best tricks to make sure your lemons are juicy, acidic and abundant. And, at the same time, so that your tree looks more beautiful than ever.
When do lemon trees bear fruit?
The fruiting of these trees depends on different factors:
- Variety. Some produce fruit throughout the year, while others only in very specific seasons.
- Weather. Climatic conditions such as temperature and amount of sunlight influence the flowering and fruiting processes.
- Age of the tree. Young lemon trees often take a few years to produce abundant fruit, whereas more mature trees produce abundant and regular harvests.
In general, lemon trees begin to bear fruit from 3-5 years of age, Although its peak production stage does not occur until the 10 or 15 years.
The peak season for lemons is coming from autumn to spring, since during these months there are good climatic conditions for the development and ripening of the fruits.
In summer, production often decreases slightly due to the heat and lack of rain, but there are regions where you can enjoy lemons freshly picked from the tree even in the middle of summer.
What is the average yield of a lemon tree?
It depends on many factors, mainly:
- La variety in question, since some types of lemon trees are more productive than others.
- From tree size. Normally, the bigger the tree, the more fruit it produces.
- Of the care receiving.
- Of the weather conditions to which it is exposed.
It is difficult to determine what the average yield of a lemon tree is, but each tree can provide several kilos of fruit each year.
Keys to stimulate a lemon tree
If you want to achieve a greater production of lemons, keep these tips in mind:
Select the right variety
Choose a variety of lemon tree that adapts well to the climate of your regionSome varieties are more resistant than others to frost or high temperatures.
Do some research on the production of each variety. Some lemon trees are very productive and others stand out for the special quality of their fruit. Consider what interests you most.
Find a good location
Al plant a fruit tree you must make sure you get the location right. In the case of lemon trees, they need a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight each day to grow and produce fruit.
In addition, it is important that the tree is in a place protected from strong winds that can damage its branches and fruits.
Make sure the soil has good drainage and is not susceptible to waterlogging, as the roots of these trees do not tolerate excess moisture well.
Give it adequate watering
To encourage a lemon tree to bear more fruit you need to follow a good watering schedule:
- Water regularly, more frequently during periods of heat and drought.
- Irrigation of deep shape to stimulate root growth.
- Avoid excess water so as not to damage the root system.
A good way to ensure the tree has a constant and adequate supply of water is to install drip irrigation.
Fertilization
All fruit trees benefit from a little extra fertilization, because they need to consume a lot of nutrients to produce fruit.
In the specific case of lemon trees, these trees need a good dose of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
You can provide it through Organic fertilizers such as compost or well-rotted manure, since both improve soil quality and gradually provide nutrients.
Another alternative is the use of Chemical fertilizers specially designed for citrus trees. If you are going to use this product, follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully so as not to harm your tree.
Correct pruning to stimulate a lemon tree
A good pruning is one of the best ways to get a fruit tree of this type to increase its production. In this case, you can apply several types of pruning:
- In training. It is carried out when the tree is young, to ensure that it has a strong and balanced structure.
- Of production. It is done every year to remove diseased or damaged branches.
- Of rejuvenation. It is a more drastic pruning that is carried out to stimulate the appearance of new shoots and fruits.
Production pruning is done in late winter and early spring, just before the start of vegetative growth. This is because this way we ensure that the tree recovers quickly and makes the most of the growing season.
It is done by removing:
- Dry, diseased or damaged branches.
- Suckers that appear at the base of the trunk or on the main branches.
- Crossed or poorly oriented branches.
- Small and deformed fruits.
To carry it out, you have to make a clean and precise cut just above a bud or lateral branch. Always use sharp, disinfected tools.
Be careful not to over-prune to avoid weakening the tree too much, as this could reduce its production.
Attracts pollinators
Increases the presence of pollinators such as bees and butterflies near your trees. To achieve this, plant flowers near them.
Soft floor
Apply one mulch layer around the trunk to help conserve moisture, control weed growth and regulate root temperatures during the winter.
This layer should be around the trunk, but not touching it.
Control pests and diseases
Check your tree periodically for possible pests or fungal disease symptoms. If you detect any problems, act as soon as possible so that this does not affect fruit production.
To encourage a lemon tree to produce more lemons, all we have to do is give it the care it needs. If you follow these tips, you are sure to have a spectacular production this year.