NATURE ATTRACTION – Enjoy fragrant white blooms and tasty lemons right from your patio with this special Dwarf Improved Meyer Lemon. They provide abundant fruit that are rounder, thinner-skinned, more orange in color and less acidic than other lemons. Nearly ever-bearing and repeatedly blooming make this long-lived plant a must have heirloom.
KEY TIPS – Move these outside in spring. Good ventilation is required. Plants need liberal watering in summer. Water less in winter. They respond to regular summer bi-monthly fertilizing with a high bloom houseplant food. Living for decades on end, their fruit is well worth the wait!
SHELF LIFE – Water the plants thoroughly letting the excess water drain through the bottom of the pot. Transplant into larger 12 inch containers separately.
PLANT Preparation- Cut away any yellow or brown leaves or broken stems that may have occurred. This grooming is completely normal and will take place as the plant grows. Branching out will rapidly follow any pruning.
POTTED PLANTS- Repot the plants into larger 12 inch pots separately. You can transplant gradually one pot size per year up to 20 inches in diameter.
Soil- They like bagged potting mixes for houseplants that will drain well. Most garden centers carry various brand names with perlite, vermiculite, soil and sand.
GARDEN PREPARATION – If you live where it rarely dips below freezing, they may be planted directly into the garden slightly above the soil line by 1-2 inches. If your soil is clayish amend it with a standard garden soil for adequate drainage.
PLANTING SPACING – If planting into the garden space them 5 feet apart. If planting into a container allow for adequate air ventilation on deck or patio.
PLANT HEIGHT AND WIDTH – These grafted dwarf varieties will grow one foot per year up to maximum of 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Easy pickings!
Water- Water the plants thoroughly letting the excess water drain through the bottom of the pot. Be sure to keep excess water out of any tray underneath pot. Keep moist, during the spring and summer repeating twice a week all summer long. Water less in winter allowing the soil to dry a little.
FERTILIZER- To promote more flowers and fruit use a well balanced fertilizer like Roberta’s Flower Magic Plant Food (M7503) twice a month April through October.
LIGHTING- Full sun is best outside in summer. Otherwise a half a day of sun is sufficient. In the winter inside the home, bright light is sufficient.
Blooming – Fragrance galore! They bloom during repeatedly year round beginning the first season in some cases but the second for sure!
FRUITING – Nearly ever-bearing after the first year. Ripening occurs in the winter months
TEMPERATURE ZONE 9 to 11- In pots, these are hardy down to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit without damaging the plant. If you live where it rarely dips below freezing, they may remain outside year round.
WINTER SEASON – This is when the fruit begins to ripen! Place in a bright-lighted room or sunny window area and reduce watering to once a week.
PRUNING – The best time to prune is early summer during active growth period. Pruning need not occur but does encourage branching. New growth will flower and then fruit.
GROOMING - Cut away any yellow, brown leaves or broken stems that naturally occur. Monthly misting with a solution of soapy water will insure glossy pest free leaves. Mix ½ teaspoon of standard liquid dish soap and ½ teaspoon of vegetable oil in a quart spray bottle of water, shake, and mist the plant profusely.
