Meyer Lemon Care – Varieties – Where to Buy
The Meyer lemon is the most widely grown lemon tree in Australia home gardens. And if you are looking for a lemon tree for a small garden, or perhaps growing in a pot, this is the one.
A hybrid tree, Citrus x meyeri , this is cross between a lemon and an orange, however more like a lemon in appearance and taste. Discovered in China by Frank Meyer in the early 1900s, this lemon tree is widely grown across Australia.
The fruit is a little sweeter than some other varieties, the tree itself is a prolific producer of good juicy lemons, problem free and it is a naturally smaller growing tree than some others.
A Meyer lemon tree will reach around 4m in ideal conditions, often smaller than this. This is a tree that is also available on dwarf rootstock and is well suited to growing in containers or for use as an espalier.
The fruit is a little smaller than others, a smooth skin that is thin without the mass of pith that some have. They are attractive when on the tree and useful in the kitchen.
Meyer Lemon Care
Ideally you will plant your tree in a warm sunny position in a well drained soil. These are a lemon that prefer a Mediterranean type climate.
However we have found them to be versatile, growing well in cool hilly conditions outside of Sydney and Melbourne as well as in warmer areas.
Top Care Tips
- We suggest digging in some well rotted compost before planting, especially in sandy soils.
- Stake young trees to ensure upright growth until established.
- As for digging in lots of chicken manure before planting, probably not a really good idea, a little yes, to much and you may get root burn.
- We prefer to use sheep or cow manure for new plants, its a little less harsh.
- Unless you are growing your tree as an espalier it will require little pruning. Removal of damaged or errant growth is about it.
Keep the area beneath the lemon tree weed and grass free, mulch lightly but keep the mulch away from the trunk of the plant. Lemon trees are fairly shallow rooted so they do not like competition for nutrients from grass and weeds.
Fertilize with a general purpose citrus fertilizer, or dynamic lifter in spring and again in autumn.
This is a sweeter that others because it is a natural hybrid between a lemon and an orange. Discovered in China in the early 1900s.
Varieties
Now a dwarf variety, named ‘Lemonicious’ is available. Even smaller growing it reaches around 1.5 metres in height with a similar spread.
Meyer Lemon Trees are available for sale from the following participating suppliers
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
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
In Brisbane and The Gold Coast Try
300 Oxley Drive Coombabah QLD 4216
Located on the north end of the Gold Coast at Runaway Bay. The 6 acre site is home to Queensland's biggest & best garden centre. Selling in volume direct to the public. Focus on top quality both in our plant & pot ranges.
www.rossevansgardencentre.com.au
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