Plant of the Month - Lemon

NAME...

Lemon (Citrus Limon)

DESCRIPTION…

Winter is when lemons are at their fruiting peak. This can be disappointing for those who like to add zing to their salads and cool drinks in the summer, when lemons are very hard to find… Lisbon lemons are high yielding with plenty of juice and are the common variety you see in your neighbour’s backyard. If you prefer a sweeter lemon and a smaller tree, then the Meyer is what you should buy. There is also a new Meyer lemon called 'Lemonicious', which is smaller again and perfect for pots.

CARE…

Citrus gall wasp should be removed before September when the adult hatches. If left, your whole tree can be destroyed! Citrus gall wasp is easily identified by a swelling in the branches. Simply cut the affected branches off to remove the swelling. It may seem harsh but your tree will thank you later… Fertilise your lemon in July, November and March with a good citrus fertiliser. Apply fertiliser around the drip line of your mature trees.

PROBLEMS…

A common pest is the citrus leaf miner, which can reduce your yield. You can treat this by spraying with some white oil.

WHERE TO BUY…

Visit your local Bunnings to buy a 'Lemonicious' for ($24.93)…