Lemon Meyer, or Chinese magnolia vine is a perennial tree belonging to the genus Citrus.
Family rutovyh. Named plant in honor American scientist F.N. Meier It was he who in 1908 brought this plant from China to the territory of North America.
The original appearance and unpretentiousness in the care made Meyer’s lemongrass a very popular plant, but in the forties of the 20th century it turned out that lemongrass was easily affected by viruses, and the plant was banned for a long time to prevent other types of lemons from becoming infected.
And only after botanists managed to bring out a new version resistant to viruses, the plant again became very popular all over the world.
Description
Plant height in open ground can reach 5 meters. However, in indoor conditions, he rarely reaches a height of more than 2 meters. On average, its height is 1 meter.
Leaves small, evergreen, have a dark green tint. It blooms very beautiful: the inflorescence has the shape of a bunch. The flowers are small in size purple or white. Smell the flowers are very nice.
Fruit have a rounded shape and small size. On average, the weight of the fruit is 100 grams. The peel is orange or bright yellow.
Differs specific taste. More reminiscent of an orange than a lemon. And you should not be surprised at this: after all, Chinese lemon is a natural hybrid of lemon and orange.
A photo
In the photos you can see all the beauty of this species.
Next, we'll talk about home care, diseases, pests, and more.
Home care
In principle, it is easy to care for him. But should be aware of some features.
When buying a Chinese lemon (if you did not multiply it yourself), you should find out whether this plant is grafted or has its own roots. It was grown from cuttings or seedlings.
Lighting
Light requires lot. Therefore, if the plant will be in the apartment, it should be installed near the south window. If the plant will be on the street, then it is installed in the most lit place.
If there is little natural light in the room, you should take care of artificial lighting. It responds positively to direct sunlight, and additional shadowing is not required.
Temperature
To lemon fruit abundantly, it should provide cold winter. To do this, the plant is transferred to a well-lit place, the temperature in which does not rise above + 12 degrees.
If you do not do this, then next year it will simply not bear fruit.
To temperature change lemons are very painful! And if there is an opportunity to take the plant into the yard, then it should be done not immediately, but gradually. Lemon Meier should be taught to outdoor temperature and direct sunlight. In the autumn do the same, only now the plant is brought back into the room.
Air humidity
This is a very important parameter. Since the plant originally grew in the tropics, it a humid climate is required.
Therefore, indoors they are installed at some distance from radiators, and the air around the plant is regularly sprayed with water. The more moisture in the air, the better for lemon.
Water the plant
Watering must be done regularly! In summer, hot days the plant is watered every day. In winter, when there comes a state of rest, it is enough to water a couple of times a week.
To avoid the bay, you should create a good drainage system in a pot before planting. Then the roots will not accumulate excess moisture, and they will not rot.
Bloom
In order for the plant to bear fruit abundantly, it is necessary to achieve high-quality flowering. For this, if the plant is young and weak, all appeared flowers are removed.
At this stage there is another task - the plant should grow stronger. With the flowering of an adult plant, one ovary remains, and all the other inflorescences are again removed.
Fertilizer
Excellent results can be achieved feeding through the leaves.
To do this, the plant is sprayed with water, which is added fertilizer intended for citrus.
If the plant has been transplanted recently, it does not need fertilizers. It is enough to water it regularly and plentifully.
After the tree has been adapted and strengthened, you can feed it. To do this, use mineral and organic fertilizers.
The feeding process is seasonal.:
- April - September per month 2-3 times;
- January-April 4 times a month.
Transfer
Young plants transplanted every year. After reaching the lemon age of 3 years transplant it less often. About once every two years. However, if the condition of the plant deteriorates for any reason, it can be transplanted unplanned.
Transplantation is carried out either in the fall, until it is cold, or in the spring. For transplanting, it is necessary to pour plenty of soil in the pot so that it becomes soft, and carefully remove the tree by the stem.
The earthen ball should not be damaged, and the root system should not be damaged.
Replace should in a pot whose size is 30% larger. If the capacity is very large, the growth of the lemon will slow down. The tree is set in the center of the new pot and covered with soil. Lay the soil slightly pressed. Tamping is not required.
Quite often it happens that a lemon sheds the ovary. What if a dwarf lemon Meira drops the ovary? You should not worry - there is no pathology here, and this is normal.
This happens due to the fact that the plant is not yet ready for fruiting, and it will not be able to fully feed the offspring. Therefore, drops the fruit. As soon as the lemon is ready, it will give the fruits to ripen on the tree.
Video on how to care:
And then video clips on how to propagate lemon cuttings and rooting them.
Diseases and pests
To determine the health status of Chinese lemon is easy. If the leaves become lightthen it speaks of a lack of power or light.
If leaves begin to fall from the plantthen it speaks of insufficient watering. Immediately begin spraying and moistening the soil in the pot! But do not overdo it! Otherwise, the lemon will get sick with anthracosis or root rot.
Also the plant can damage and pests. Most often, a lemon is attacked by a spider mite. When spider webs are found on the leaves, simply rinse them under running water from the shower. If shchitovki (microscopic turtles) were found, then the leaves should be treated with a solution of kerosene and soap. At 0.5 parts of kerosene take 1 part of the soap.
Yes, for the first time it seems that caring for Meyer's lemon is difficult. But believe me - it is not. If you comply with all requirements, then nothing will happen to the plant, and it will bring you many tasty fruits.
