If you’re thinking of propagating a lemon tree you’re in the right place. We are going to break down the steps from start to finish to help you get your lemon tree from a seed or a cutting into a lovely lemon tree. Even if you’re in the UK or Northern Europe it is still possible to grow a bountiful lemon tree at home!
Lemon trees are one of the best ways to fully enjoy horticulture. Some plants are pleasing to the eye and that is great. However, being able to make your food/drinks taste delicious after years of growing a plant is a great reward! Fully enjoy your growing season with plants you can eat and drink!
We are discussing lemon tree propagation today. This will be done by taking a cutting from an existing lemon tree. We will explain how to take the cutting as well as how to best grow the tree itself. If you are growing your tree from a seed then you can still follow the growth tips to help your lemon tree bloom.
Tips to Bloom Your Lemon Tree
The Cutting
The good news is lemon trees are one of the easiest citrus trees to propagate. This is best done when the tree is in active growth in the late spring to early summer. Then you’ll want to follow these steps.
Take a cutting that is 3-6 inches long from a new growth that has not yet produced fruit or flowers. Remove all but the two top sets of leaves from the cutting and submerge the bottom end of the stem into a rooting hormone powder. Pot the cutting into a large 4-5 liter container during the same season.
Planting
Plant the cutting into a large 4-5 liter pot in the center, an inch or two below the surface. Try not to bury it too deep so it has a chance to grow!
Soil
Lemon trees require well-draining soil at all times of their lives. Their roots hate being submerged in lots of water for long periods of time. If you have the option then it’s great to get a soil with a slight acidity.
Light
Lemon trees love full sun! At all times of the day if possible! Place in the sunniest part of your home at all stages of growth. If the sun is warm and nice outside then feel free to bring it outside to enjoy it!
Water
Watering is one of the most important things to nail when raising a lemon tree in your home. These trees enjoy receiving low to medium rainfall. This can be around one light session per week. In the summer months, this might hike up to around twice per week but you should aim to have it moist while it grows.
Your plant will let you know if you are overwatering it. Yellowing leaves is the most telltale sign of overwatering. Leaves dropping is also another big sign. Fruit drop and root rot are also important signifiers, though they are less obvious.
Humidity and Temperature
Warm and humid is good news for lemon trees. They are pretty sensitive to colder temperatures so we recommend that they be grown inside if you can’t guarantee these conditions in your natural outdoor climate.
Ensure you keep your lemon tree out of the way of drafts and nearby big doors that get opened regularly. If it needs a bit of extra humidity the leaves might look a bit droopy. Feel free to leave it in the shower room for a couple of days to absorb some lovely moisture from the air.
Also Read - Understanding Lemon Tree Varieties - Which One is Right for You?
Fertilizer
Lemon trees are big feeders! Using an NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) fertilizer will be a great, continuous meal for your plant.
Harvesting
Simply pick the lemons off your tree when they are completely yellow and free from green spotting. You can use the zest, the flesh, or the juice in cooking/drinking. They are so versatile and delicious!
Also Read - Complete Guide to Growing Lemon Tree in Pots
We hope you have enjoyed reading about how to properly propagate your lemon tree. Indoor plants like lemon tree is super simple and easy to do, you may as well have a go! If it doesn’t work remember to look back over these tips as you might have missed something. If not, you can buy lemon trees at our online store delivered straight to your door!