At a time when we are trying to be more self sufficient and original, how about a home grown lemon tree as a gift for a loved one? Here at Make Their Day Flowers, we love all plants! This is a very simple and low cost gift idea, you could buy (or even decorate an old pot) and follow the steps below to make a gorgeous original present. Or if you would prefer something a little more traditional, have a look at our website for some amazing floral gift ideas, or pop into our Charlton Kings’ shop. We’d love to see you! Don’t forget if you’re local that we offer same day delivery for our beautiful bouquets, perfect for a last minute special gesture.
Explore how to grow a lemon tree from a seed. Add the citrus plant to your conservatory, home or garden)
The pandemic made home gardening a much-needed distraction for a lot of stay-at-home people and it’s something a lot have chosen to continue. Those with green fingers have started adding new plants to their collection. One of those plants is the lemon. Complete with a fresh citrusy scent, the lemon plant can be grown from a seed easily. If you are looking for guidelines on how to grow a lemon tree then you are in the right place. Read on to know how lemons, the most citrus of all plants, can bring Mediterranean flair into your space.
Growing lemons at home from a seed
Growing lemons from seeds is an easy and affordable way of bringing home the health benefits and other delicious goodness of lemons. Imagine making lemonade in summer, adding a slice to your gin and tonic or making honey and lemon drinks in winter from your own home grown lemons! To achieve this, you will require a lemon that has pips, a pot, good soil and a warm and well lit place to keep the pot in.
Best time to sow a lemon seed
While the planting may take place at any time of the year, it is a good idea to sow the seeds of lemon in April. Remember to use full, healthy and unsliced pips only as they have a greater chance of germinating. Soak the pips in a glass of water to check their viability, use only the ones that sink to the bottom of the glass. It is important to remove the slimy coat from the pips as the sugar in them can make the pip rot after planting and make sure that the pips are moist enough to enable proper germination.
Picking the right pot to grow lemon from a seed
A terracotta pot that enables adequate drainage is the best choice for sowing your lemon seeds, in these pots, you will find that any excessive moisture can evaporate from the walls. This stops the roots from rotting. According to the advice from expert plant growers, for good results, you may want to fill the terracotta pot with citrus compost with sharp grit.
Top Tips for planting a lemon tree
– The soil has to be pre-moistened
– Plant the seeds at least ½ inch deep into the soil
– Place the pot with the seed in a warm, lighted space – such that the soil does not dry out completely.
If you are based in Cheltenham and want to decorate your pot, you could always visit another lovely independent company, Paint it Yourself pottery and make them something really special!
Time it takes for a lemon tree to grow from the seed
In most cases, you will start seeing fruit when the tree is four to five years old. If you are growing a small lemon tree in a pot at home, (more than likely the case if you are in Cheltenham! Unless you have a heated greenhouse!) it should take a couple of months before the first lemon flowers start appearing.
Where to plant the lemon tree – ground or container?
If you live in a place where the temperatures are very warm year round, it is better to plant the seeds straight into the ground. This is also true for regions that are frost-free. If you have plenty of space, you can plant the lemon seeds in a container and leave it outdoors in the summer. However, don’t forget to take the pot indoors if there is a likelihood of frost as it will damage your plant.
Way Forward
The above tips will help you grow lemon trees at home or in your garden from seeds. So, remember next time you have a gin and tonic to save the pips and plant them. Soon you will have more than enough lemon trees to look after and give as gifts.
Happy gardening! Find more of our great gift ideas here.
