Make it feel like summer in your house all year long | E-Neighborhood Advisor

 

After the holidays, wintertime may feel like it slogs on forever. But growing a lemon tree will make it feel like summer in your home all year long.  Contrary to the popular belief that citrus plants belong exclusively outdoors, with enough sunlight and proper drainage, Domino magazine says your little lemon love can actually live and thrive inside your home. And, aside from the obvious bonus of getting to enjoy fresh fruit whenever you want, their sunny yellow offerings promise to extend summer vibes all year long. The real key to success with lemons is giving them enough light and letting them thoroughly dry between waterings. What do people need to know about potting lemon trees? Lemon trees like well-drained soil; general potting mix is fine if you’re regular with watering and it’s getting enough light, but you may want to consider amending the mix with sand to aid in drainage. Citrus/lemons like to get all their roots wet, then dry fairly quickly. They do not like to soak, and do not tolerate standing water or lingering moisture. Since terracotta is so porous, it tends to work best. Are there different types of lemon trees? The most common varieties of lemon trees grown indoors include the Meyer Lemon and Eureka Lemon tree. Can lemon trees actually thrive indoors? Lemons are probably the easiest fruit to grow indoors. In fact, they’re often the first recommended for beginners. They are not hardy, so even if you decide to grow them outdoors, bring them inside when the low temperatures start to dip into the 50s. How big should people expect their lemon trees to grow? They are a full tree, actually, and can get as big as you let them! Prune them back if you don’t want to repot or want them to be a smaller size. Don’t be afraid—cut anywhere. These plants, if getting enough sunlight, will grow back in no time. What about watering? Keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy. Try sitting your lemon tree on a pebble tray with water to increase humidity. How much sun exposure do they need? Lemon trees love basking in the sun, and require 8 to 12 hours of sunlight, daily. South-facing windows are best. What about pruning and caring for the fruit? Are citrus trees, in general, trickier to care for? Pruning the branches back once in a while will result in better fruit and encourage branching for more potential lemons. After a bloom, the tree will grow fruit; wait for it to get nice and plump, then pick! Your Flooring Consultant, Matt Capell Email: sales@capellinteriors.com Phone (208) 288-0151 Fax (208) 917-6160 P.S. Here's a joke for you! What do you get when you cross a cat and a lemon?  A sour puss.