Content
- Does a lemon tree tolerate frost?
- Lemon tree is not hardy
- Description of the frosty Meyer lemon
- Optimal temperatures for the wintering of lemons
- Frozen bitter lemon
- Tips & Tricks
Does a lemon tree tolerate frost?
The lemon has been known in southern and central Europe since the days of ancient Roman emperors. The exact origin of the lemon tree is in the dark, however, as home is suspected, however, Central Asia. Even today, the lemon thrives in subtropical and tropical climates, because the lemon tree does not tolerate frost.
Lemon tree is not hardy
The classic lemon varieties (Citrus limon) are neither winter nor frost hardy and should therefore winter without exception in the winter garden, in the greenhouse or in a suitable room. There are, however, more or less sensitive varieties. The Meyer lemon is probably the most widely used lemon as a container plant. Citrus limon "Meyer" is climatically much less sensitive than any other lemon. Temperatures up to about minus 5 ° C are no problem when it is in hibernation.
Description of the frosty Meyer lemon
The growth of Meyer lemon is bushier than that of other lemons. The flowers often appear abundant. The plant is not so prone to foliage loss in the winter. The fully ripe orange, relatively round fruits with a very thin, soft shell, however, taste harsher than you would expect from lemons. But even the fairly undemanding Meyer lemon should not be planted in the garden, but winter as cool as possible.
Optimal temperatures for the wintering of lemons
Lemon trees are wintered at best in a bright and dry location with average temperatures between about five to ten degrees Celsius. In this case, the plants are in hibernation and require significantly less light and water than in the growing season. Due to the shortage of light that prevails in winter, lemons should, if possible, be put in hibernation, otherwise additional light-emitting plant lamps should be installed. The vegetation phase begins at permanent temperatures above 15 ° C.
Frozen bitter lemon
In contrast to the "normal" lemon varieties, the bitter lemon Citrus trifoliata (also Poncirus trifoliata) is frost hardy up to temperatures of minus 25 ° C. Due to the typical three-part leaf, the up to three-meter-high and strongly bushy shrub is also referred to as "trifoliate orange". The only citrus species, the bitter lemon throws off its leaves in autumn. The relatively large, paper-like flowers do not smell. The fruits of the bitter lemon are inedible due to the high content of bitter substances. The plant is suitable both as a pretty shrub in the garden and is because of their robustness at the same time the best finishing base for the container plant culture of lemons and other citrus plants.
Tips & Tricks
Citrangen (crosses of oranges and bitter lemons) were also bred as robust, virus-resistant finishing documents. These varieties are often frost hardy and are well suited as a decorative shrub in the garden, unless you really want to harvest tasty lemons.