Fruit Trees

Grow lemons in your home. These amazingly scented mini trees will flower and produce edible lemons year round.

Scientific Name: Citrus × meyeri

Growth: Slow growing. 3-4 feet indoors. If it is really happy it may grow taller

Light: Full sun

Watering: Water well and deeply when top 2 inches of soil is dry. Do not overwater. Ideally they like to be kept moist but not soggy

Pet Safe: No

Care: Intermediate.

Can be moved outside for the summer but bring them back in before it gets cold as they can not withstand any frost. 

• Fertilize approx. 3 times between spring and fall with a high nitrogen fertilizer or a slow release all purpose fertilizer.  You can also use compost tea or fish emulsion fertilizer. 
• Pruning: Is not really necessary but can be done to maintain a shape you like.  Only prune once the tree reaches 3 feet.  Remove dead, crossing branches or branches that are too long and thin to bear fruit. 

Pests: Watch for scale.  Citrus is very prone to it.  Scale is a small insect that forms a little brown shell on the leaves and stems.  You will know you have it if the leaves become glossy and sticky which is the honeydew residue from the insect.  Scrap off the scale with your fingernail or for the squeamish, use a scouring pad and a little soap. Hose off in the shower, spray with Carly's FU bug spray and if it comes back change the soil completely.   

With wonderfully fragrant flowers and vibrant green leaves, plus fruit you can use in drinks and pie, what is not to love about the Key Lime tree?!

Scientific Name: Citrus aurantifolia

Growth:  Up to 6' indoors

Light:  Full sun

Watering: Keep well watered.  Water deeply once the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry to touch.  Let is drain well after watering.  

Pet Safe: No

Care: Intermediate

• Fertilize in early spring with a citrus specific fertilizer, or any fertilizer that has a Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium (NPK) ratio of 2:1:2. You can also add new compost in the spring. Make sure to only apply it to the dirt around the tree, as key lime trees can burn if the fertilizer touches the trunk or foliage. 
• Pruning:  Prune to maintain shape and smaller size. Should be done in the spring to encourage new growth and keep the shape compact. Remove any dead branches and keep the centre open so the fruit receives maximum light and can ripen.

Pests:  Watch for scale.  Citrus is very prone to it.  Scale is a small insect that forms a little brown shell on the leaves and stems.  You will know you have it if the leaves become glossy and sticky which is the honeydew residue from the insect.  Scrap off the scale with your fingernail or for the squeamish, use a scouring pad and a little soap. Hose off in the shower, spray with Carly's FU bug spray and if it comes back change the soil completely.  Other pests include white fly and mealy bugs.