The Lemonade Tree is said to be a cross between a lemon and a mandarin, and maybe a lime. First noticed in the mid 1970s, by Mr Col Turner, the actual origins of the lemonade tree are a little obscure, however it is now grafted onto a compatible rootstock and produces lemon like fruit that are edible (skin and all) and they taste like (you guessed it) lemonade. Lemonade trees fruit in winter.
Growing Lemonade Trees
Easy to grow like most citrus trees, needs little pruning, fertilise with a general citrus food.
Fairly slow growing at first the Lemonade tree prefers a sunny position and a well drained soil, in areas with clay soils try building up a mound to ‘lift’ the soil level and plant on the mound.
- Dig a hole the same depth and around twice as wide as the container.
- Dig in some well rotted compost if needed.
- Plant the tree at the same height as it was in the container.
- Backfill and water in with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.
- Mulch lightly around the tree to suppress weeds and maintain a cool root run.
Summary Information
- Height Will reach 2 – 5 metres in height, easily pruned to 2 metres. Dwarf varieties grafted not a dwarfing rootstock are available from some growers.
- Position – Full sun.
- Soil – Well drained, humus rich.
- Fruiting Season – Winter through Spring depending on the climate.
- Container growing – Only suited to very large containers, better suited to growing in the ground.
- Fertiliser – Use a general purpose citrus fertiliser.
More Information
The Lemonade tree will fruit well from around 4 years. The fruit is best picked when it is an even yellow colour all over. It should be easy to remove from the tree.
Fruit can be used fresh with a little water or with mixed drinks, also used to make marmalades with other citrus.
Lemonade trees are prolific fruiting trees once established, they do have thorns, so wear some gloves when picking fruit. The fruit looks like a lemon however it is sweeter, less acidic and can be eaten like a mandarin or orange.
Lemonade Trees are available for sale online from the following growers and nurseries
Mail order fruit tree nursery with over 200 temperate climate fruit trees.
Heritage varieties and dwarf fruit trees. Apple Trees, Stone Fruit, Nut Trees and Berry Fruit.
www.yalcafruittrees.com.au
Carey Gully, Adelaide Hills.
Family business selling a large range of deciduous trees in pots 1-4m high. Crepe myrtle specialist. Includes Ornamental pears & plums, Red maples, Japanese maples, Gingko, Cercis, Ash, Birch, Crab apples, Weeping cherries, Gleditsia, Liquidambar and more. Hedging plants, evergreen trees & fruit trees.
www.adelaidetreefarm.com.au
55 McDougal Rd Neerim South Victoria 3831 PH: (03) 56281507
Advanced ornamental trees and garden designs and concept plans. Direct to your property combined with specialist knowledge and outstanding service.
www.blericktreefarm.com.au