Dwarf Lemon Tree

If you would like to grow a citrus tree but unfortunately live in an apartment then you do have a solution for it. You can grow dwarf citrus tress like Meyer lemons, oranges and tangerines in a container or tub and savor the tangy fruits. It is not difficult to grow a dwarf lemon tree indoors, as although lemon trees in general are tropical plants, they can survive very well even in colder climate. For those of you who are wondering if it is possible to grow a dwarf lemon tree from a seed, the answer is yes. As long as the seed used from the fruit is not damaged or cut in any way, there is a good possibility that you can grow them. But the catch is that lemon trees grown from a seedling, take a very long time to bear flower and fruits. So, you might have to wait a good six to seven years before you are able to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

How to Grow a Dwarf Lemon Tree

Dwarf lemon tree actually is a kind of bonsai, and it requires a bit of care before you can see the tree bearing fruits. Like a fruit tree cultivation, the lemon tree is also grown by the process of grafting a cutting from another tree. To cultivate a dwarf lemon plant from a cutting, you have to first obtain a softwood cutting from a healthy lemon tree. Choose the cutting from a young dwarf lemon plant during late spring or early summer. While getting a cutting from the tree, make sure that the tree is neither too young or too mature. Take a sharp knife and dip it in alcohol to prevent any transmission of diseases. Make a clean, asymmetrical cut which is about 4 to 6 inches deep and has 3 to 4 leaves. Take the cutting of the lemon tree only when you are ready to plant the cutting, as otherwise the cutting will just shrivel up and it will not be of any use.

Now pinch the top half of the leaves from the cutting and plant it in a potting mixture that has been kept in a tray. Now spray the potting mixture with water and cover the leaves of the cutting with a clear plastic bag. Make sure that the leaves of the cutting are not in contact with either the bag or the potting mixture. Place the planting tree in a dry place away from direct sunlight. Regularly water the planting tree when you feel that the potting mixture is beginning to get dry. Avoid over watering the cutting as it might rot. After about a month, check the lemon tree cutting to see if it has grown roots. When the roots are around 2 to 3 inches long, transfer the cutting into a plastic or terracotta container. Place it in direct sunlight and water it every two to three days. The height of such a tree is about four to six feet but some varieties have been known to grow up to eight feet.

There are many dwarf lemon tree problems like infestations of whitefly and scale insects that you need to keep a check upon. There are many varieties of dwarf lemon tree like Meyer lemons, Lisbon, Eureka and Dorshapo that you can try cultivating indoors.