Lemons are the most popular citrus fruits. They grow on trees and are in fact a hybrid of the original citron and lime.
Although consuming the fruit by itself isn’t the nicest way of enjoying its benefits because of its distinctive bitter and sour flavor, it goes well with cakes, juices, and as a refreshing lemonade.
A great source of vitamin C and fiber, lemons contain many plant compounds, minerals, and essential oils.
The good thing is that if you are a fan of lemons, you can now grow a lemon tree yourself. All you need to have is a single lemon seed.
We provide you with a step-by-step instruction on how to grow a lemon tree from seed.
1. Start with organic lemons.
The first step is purchasing an organic lemon because non-organic lemons have non-germinating seeds that don’t sprout. Simply choose a ripe lemon and extract its seeds.
2. Prepare potting soil
Go for a well-draining soil mix. A mixture of vermiculite, perlite, peat, and organic fertilizer provides adequate drainage and essential nutrients. Simply pour the soil into a bucket and water it until damp.
3. Chose the right pot
It’s essential that you get a pot large enough for your lemon tree to grow the way it’s supposed to. If you plant a single seed, then choose a pot that is about four inches wide and six inches deep, and make sure it has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
4. Prepare the seeds
In order to have your seeds ready for planting remove the slimy coating by gently washing them with water. Choose the plum-looking seeds and soak them in warm water overnight.
5. Plant the seeds
Fill the pot with the soil and make sure you leave about an inch of space from the rim. Next, create a 1/2-inch deep hole using your finger and place the seed inside the hole with the pointy tip pointing downward and the rounded part facing upward. Then cover the seed with soil.
6. Cover the pot
Cover the pot with a plastic wrap that is secured with a rubber band and poke small holes on it to let the air circulate.
7. Provide adequate warmth
The ideal temperature range for lemon seed germination is between 68°F and 82.4°F so make sure you place the pot beside a window or other warm location. Just make sure to avoid direct sunglight.
8. Water the soil
Make sure the soil is moist. Although the plastic wrap will do its job of helping retain moisture, if you notice the soil is dry then remove the plastic wrap, water it, and then place the wrap back.
9. Care for the seedlings
When you spot the seedlings, take the plastic wrap off and place the pot to a sunny location. The soil should be moist but not soggy. The seedlings should be exposed to sunlight at least eight hours a day. If that’s not possible, add some supplements.
10. Transplanting
Once the seedlings develop leaves and tails that are around 3.15 inches long, place them into another pot by creating a shallow hole in damp, well-drained soil. Pat the soil around the seedling to secure it.
11. Continued care
As the lemon tree grows bigger, you will need to transfer it to a larger pot, and later, do the same as it grows even bigger.
Once the tree starts to grow fruits, you will understand that this experience has been a rewarding one. Just the though of being able to pick fresh lemons whenever we feel like having one brings a sense of excitement.
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