How To Grow A Lemon Tree From Seed?
You can grow a lemon tree by buying one from a nursery or from a garden center. But some growers already have lemon trees at home and some people just want to try growing one from a seed. Is it possible to grow a lemon tree from seed? Yes, it is but it will take time for the lemon tree to produce fruits but it will be great to try.
How To Grow A Lemon Tree From Seed?
1. Get A Fresh Lemon
Fresh lemons have a high chance of germination. You can buy lemons at the grocery stores or you can get fresh lemons from your tree.
Fresh lemons have good seeds that will grow roots faster. Old stocked lemons will have seeds that will likely have a low chance to germinate.
2. Slice The Fruits And Extract The Lemon Seeds
Use a sharp knife and slice the lemons in half. Extract the seeds out and get those seeds. Just be careful because sometimes when you slice the lemon, some seeds might be cut and get damaged.
You can get five to 10 seeds from a single lemon. So if you have five lemon fruits, all in all, you can have around 25 to 50 seeds. Use as many seeds as you can because some seeds may not germinate and some will.
3. Clean The Lemon Seeds And Soak Them In Water
After getting the lemon seeds, you need to wash them. Remove the pulps from the seed.
Once the seeds are clean, you need to prepare a bowl and water. Dry seeds have a low chance to grow roots.
Soaking lemon seeds in water will help them soften and help germinate faster. Leave it for at least 8 hours under the water.
4. Prepare A Container And Soil Mixture
Get a container or a pot and fill them with soil mixed with half peat moss and half perlite. You can also just use soil in germinating lemon seeds.
If you use a recycled container, make sure that it has drainage at the bottom so that water can pass through and prevent waterlogging. Any size of the container can be used.
You can also use the peel of the lemon in germinating your seeds. Cut the fruit in half and remove the flesh inside. Those peels will have a shallow deep hole but it will be fine since the seeds are small.
5. Plant The Lemon Seed
Make half-inch-deep holes in the soil and plant the seeds. Cover them with a thin layer of soil and water them after. You can place the container in a shaded area so that the moisture will be maintained and prevents water evaporation.
The seeds will germinate in around one to two weeks. Sometimes it will take much longer depending on some factors like seed quality and weather. The roots will grow, a tiny stem and few leaves will come out from the seeds.
6. Transplant The Lemon Seedlings
Once the seeds have grown roots, a stem, and leaves you can transplant each of them in a bigger size container. It will give them a better space to grow. Place the pot in an area where it can get sunlight. Since they are still small, a few hours of sun is enough.
Also, give them water especially when the soil gets dry. The soil inside the pot dries faster compared to the soil in the ground.
When the seedlings become bigger you can transplant them to a bigger pot or transplant them in the ground. If you have a tropical or subtropical climate in your location it will be best to grow them outside.
7. Watering, Fertilization, and Sunlight
Young lemon trees need regular watering to help them establish. When the lemon tree gets enough water, the roots spread faster and stronger. It also helps the tree grow taller and grow more twigs and leaves. You need to give them enough water, especially during the first year.
Fertilizer is also important for the lemon tree. If the soil is lacking nitrogen, you need to apply fertilizer rich in nitrogen to prevent the leaves from yellowing.
Nitrogen deficiencies cause the leaves of the tree or any plant to turn yellow. Soils that are rich in nutrients help the lemon tree to thrive well. The fertilizer ratio that you are going to use should not exceed 8-8-8.
Young lemon tree needs at least 4 hours of sunlight. Since they are still young, four hours of light is enough for them to create their food.
But mature lemon trees need at least 6 hours of light. Make sure to plant the tree in a space where sunlight is abundant. Try to avoid planting lemon trees where there are big trees that will block the sun away from your tree.
8. Control Pests And Diseases
Pests and diseases might attack your lemon tree and you need to control them. Some of them are aphids, spider mites, fruit flies, root and crown rots, etc. Pesticides and fungicides can be used as a treatment.
There are some natural ways to control pests on your lemon tree. With the use of a water hose, blast them with water and it can help to remove pests from the lemon tree. A strong stream of water can eliminate those pests.
Insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, and neem oil are other products that can also be used to get rid of pests. But prevent applying some of those products especially when the weather is too hot because it can cause burning on the leaves and tree trunks.
9. Fruiting
The lemon tree that grows from seeds may take about five to 10 years to fruit. It takes longer compared to those lemon trees grown from budding or grafting.
Another thing is most of the lemon trees are not true to type which means that you cannot expect the same lemon tree as the parent tree. The lemons you will get is different from the one you buy from the grocery store.
10. Harvesting
When the lemon tree produces fruits, you can harvest them when they are already yellow or yellow-green. The size of fruits can grow around 2 to 3 inches big.
You cannot harvest totally green lemons because they will taste bitter and awful. It is hard to ripen lemons off the tree so you just need to wait until they are partially ripe or totally ripe.
How Long Does It Take To Grow A Lemon Tree From Seed?
It typically takes around three years for a lemon tree to reach maturity when grown from seed. The time to reach maturity will vary depending on the variety of the lemon tree and the growing conditions.
During the growing process, it is important to prune the tree regularly and to protect it from frost during the winter months. With proper care and attention, a lemon tree grown from seed can bring many years of enjoyment.
What Is The Fastest Way To Germinate A Lemon Seed?
The fastest way to germinate a lemon seed is to first remove the seed from the lemon and rinse it off with cool water. Next, place the seed between two damp paper towels and put it in a warm area, such as a windowsill.
Make sure the paper towels stay damp throughout the germination process. Once the seed starts to sprout, it should be transferred to a pot filled with well-draining potting soil. Place the pot in an area with indirect sunlight and keep the soil moist but not soggy.
The seed should begin to germinate within a few days, and the seedling should be ready to transplant after a few weeks.
Can You Plant Seeds Straight From A Lemon?
Yes, you can plant seeds straight from a lemon. All you need to do is remove the seeds from the inside of the lemon and rinse off any remaining pulp. Once the seeds are clean, you can plant them in a pot of soil. You should cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and lightly water them. Place the pot in a sunny spot and keep the soil moist. The seeds should begin to sprout within a few weeks.
However, it is important to remember that the lemon tree you grow from the seeds will not be the same type of lemon tree that you got the seeds from. The seeds of a lemon are not genetically identical to the parent plant, so the tree you grow may have different characteristics than the original lemon. It will still produce lemons, but they may be a different shape, size, or color than the original.
Do You Have To Dry Lemon Seeds Before Planting?
No, you do not need to dry lemon seeds before planting. Lemon seeds can be planted directly in the soil, and it is best to plant them in a well-draining potting mix. Before planting, soak the seeds in water for 12-24 hours to soften the outer coat.
This will help the seeds germinate faster. Plant the seeds 1 inch deep in the soil and keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Place the pot in a warm, sunny location and keep the temperature between 65-75°F. The seeds should begin to germinate in 1-2 weeks. Once the seedlings have grown to a few inches tall, thin them out to one seedling per pot.
How To Grow A Lemon Tree From Seed In Water?
Growing a lemon tree from seed in water is a fun and easy project for novice gardeners. The first step is to choose a lemon that has a large seed. You can purchase a lemon from the store or use one from a lemon you already have. Cut the lemon in half, and remove the seeds from the center. Place the seeds in a small bowl of water and let them soak for 8 hours. This will help remove any leftover pulp from the seeds.
Once the seeds have soaked, you can begin to plant them. Fill a pot with a mix of potting soil and compost and make sure there are drainage holes in the bottom. Place the seeds in the pot, making sure they are covered with soil. Water the soil until it is moist, and place the pot in a sunny spot.
Keep the soil moist, but not soggy, and wait for the seeds to sprout. Once the seedlings have grown to a few inches tall, you can begin to prune the plant. Pruning helps to encourage the growth of branches and leaves.
As the lemon tree grows, you can begin to fertilize it with a balanced fertilizer. Be sure to follow the directions on the fertilizer package for best results. You can also water your lemon tree with a mixture of 1 teaspoon of Epsom salts to 1 gallon of water.
Do Lemon Trees Grown From Seed Produce Fruit?
Lemon trees grown from seed can produce fruit, however it is not a guarantee that they will. Growing a lemon tree from seed is not recommended for those looking for a fast harvest, as it can take up to 8 years for the tree to produce fruit.
It is important to provide the seedling with the proper nutrients and care in order for it to mature and produce fruit. This includes providing the tree with enough sunlight and water, as well as pruning and fertilizing the tree to help it reach maturity.
It is also important to note that the fruit produced from a lemon tree grown from seed may not be exactly like the parent tree. It may produce different sized fruit or have a different flavor, so it is important to be aware of this before planting.
