There are so many varieties of lemon but the most popular variety is "kagjee lemon".It is also called key lemon,west indian lemon or Mexican lemon. Key lemon is the hybrid variety of citrus family.It's fruit diameter normally between 1 to 2 inches. So guys in this article as you know we are discussing about key lemon.
Selection of plant variety.
Friends if you want to grow lemon plant so read this article start to end.fir growing lemon in pot the suitable variety is a dwarf variety named "Nimbu Baramasi ".Now this of variety available in all the nursery.It doesn't grow tall,it spread like a bush and it produce fruits and flowers whole year.
Growing conditions.
The lemon plant that is grown from seeds is not suitable for pot because they grows very big and take 5 to 6 years to start fruiting.For growing in pot you should use only grafted and air layered plant because they start fruiting only after 1 year.While purchasing a lemon plant from nursery you should remember that the plant is not infected by any type of disease.In the tropical you can grow it in any season. But I not prefer to grow it in extreme cold season. Experts preferred to grow it in between February to March and July to August.
Selection of pots.
At the starting you can grow it in 12 inches pot but when the plant will grow and established then shipped it in larger size pot . Lemon is one type of shallow root plant so that its roots doesn't goes very deep. Choose the pot that has not deep in length but have wide in width. For this plant choose the pot that is deep 15 to 18 inches and diameter minimum 18 inches or more.
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Best potting mix for lemon plant.
It is very important to make good type of potting soil for lemon plant. For lemon plant slightly acidic soil is the best that pH lies between 5.5 to 7.5 .Salty potting mix is not suitable for lemon plant .It loves quick draining potting soil . It needs regular and deep watering but water should be drain quickly. The recipe of lemon plant potting soil is 40% garden soil ,20% fully decompose cow dung manure, 20% fine river sand and 20% Coco Peat. Mix them well if you have not Coco Peat then use leaf mould in place of cocopeat .The other additional things are 50 gram Neem cake powder , 50 gram mustard cake powder and 100 gram vermicompost. By using this potting soil your lemon plant will grow fast.
Care for lemon plant.
Lemon plant loves hot and humid climate. So place it in Sunny location where it can receive plenty of Sunlight. The best temperature for it is between 21 degree Celsius to 38 degree celsius in dry weather you have to spray water on its leaves. In rainy season it gets water automatically but have water it daily in dry season .While flowering you do watering less. In this time when soil uppermost layer getting dry then you have to water it. In the winter season you have to water it less .For this plant you have to do watering and fertilizing very low in winter .When extreme cold winds flow in winter the leaves of lemon plant becomes yellow and fall down. Place the plant in shady area in winter to prevent it from cold winds.
Best fertilizer for lemon plant.
Because of heavy fruiting its fertilizer requirement is also high. Friends if you use right type of fertilizers on the right time then your plant will produce plenty of lemons. The three most important macro nutrients are nitrogen, Phosphorus and potassium. From this three, lemon plants need nitrogen in heavy quantity so it is important to use nitrogen reach fertilizer.Phosphorus and potassium amount should be half from the amount of Nitrogen. Use this type of fertilizers before flowering. By this type of fertilizer plant roots become strong and it produce more flowers. If you want to use chemical fertilizers the ratio should be 2:1:1 npk fertilizer. It contains two part nitrogen ,1 part Phosphorus and 1 part potassium. To become plants potting soil acidic use sulphur or sulphur based nitrogen fertilizer . Along with this fertilizer plant need micro nutrients for example iron ,zinc, copper, magnesium, Boron, etc. Plant needs this type of micronutrients in very low amount but deficiency of this micronutrients may weak plants immune system so that will make the plant infected by diseases.
So after sometimes used this micronutrients by dissolving it in water and spray the solution on whole plant. Normally you can see that the leaves become yellow and fruits fall down. The main reason for this problem is the deficiency of essential nutrients in the plant. Friends by using chemical fertilizers you can give essential nutrients to your plant immediately. But lemon plant needs regular supply of that nutrients. So you should use organic fertilizer too .Organic fertilizer is also known as slow-release fertilizer because it delivers nutrients regularly to the plants. For lemon plant you should use well rotten cow dung manure, vermicompost and mustard cake powder in little amount to your plants soil it will provide essential nutrients to your plants. At the start of spring season add bone meal and neem cake powder mixture 50 to 100 depending upon what size and plant age.This will boost flowering and decrease the foilage.
Friends now I am telling you when to use fertilizer or when not to use fertilizer. So in North Indian climate April to September per month.,a full dose of this fertilizer should be applied. Half dose during March and October, 1/4th dose during February and November, during December and January the any type of fertilizers should not be used. Keep the plant in dormant condition during December and January to provide full rest.
Pest control.
Now I am telling you the diseases that can attack on the lemon plant and their cures. The most of diseases that attacks on lemon plant because of fungus. While some are caused by bacteria, viruses and pest . You can see most of the diseases symptoms on leaves, stems or fruits. For example yellow spots on leaves, unnatural changes in shape of leaves, turning of leaves, black spots over the leaves and the branches, drying of branches from the tips ,green or blue Moulds over the fruits ,white powdery spots on the leaves, etc. Although pest also attacks on these plants they eat new leaves.To prevent this type of diseases use the solution of copper sulphate or lime on the infected area .Also use antifungal powder such as carbondazim and manchojeb solution .Cut out the infected branches from the plants . To protect new grown leaves insecticides may be used. Insecticides such as Emidacloprid, monocrotophos, etc. If you not want to use chemical pesticides there is also a herbal remedy too. That is able to protect your lemon plant from this type of diseases. The organic remedy is to add Neem cake powder in plant soil and spray Neem Oil solution on the whole plant every week.
The lemon plant that is grown in Pot not grows very big. So it is possible to apply Neem Oil to all branches. Normally use the solution of neem Oil , water and soap.
Benefits of pruning and mulching for lemon plant.
So friends at the last we are discussing about the pruning and mulching of lemon plant. Normally you should not prun the lemon plant. Because it stores essential nutrients in their leaves. Suddenly reduce of leaves your plant may face deficiency of food. So only prun the dry and infected branches. It is very important to add mulch if you are growing it in a pot .So add mulch on the uppermost layer of soil.You can use dried leaves or wood chips 1 to 1.5 inches deep. It maintains plant soil temperature and retain moisture for longer period. This also helps in developing of microorganisms in the soil which maintains soil quality. Friends I tried to provide you accurate information about growing lemon plant in pot successfully. If you like this article you can view my other articles also. Thank you
