Improved Meyer Lemon Tree (dwarf)
Lemon, Improved Meyer (dwarf)
Scientific Name: Citrus limon 'Meyer Improved'
History/general species info: Native to China, the Meyer lemon is a hybrid believed to be a cross between a true lemon and a mandarin orange. It is named after Frank Meyer, a plant explorer of the United States Department of Agriculture, in 1908. Because of its popularity in south Texas, Meyer lemon is known locally as a “Valley” lemon. Used as an ornamental tree, as well as for fruit, and does well in containers.
Characteristics: A small tree with crops of large seedy fruit from August to January. Heavy bearer. Thin-skinned, smooth, bright yellow, very juicy. Cold hardy. Dwarf variety, on Flying Dragon rootstock. Advantages over growing full-sized varieties: easier to harvest from the ground and typically produce higher yields in a smaller area. Dwarf trees will only take up a small amount of space on your patio or deck and can also thrive indoors as houseplants in the right environment.
Flower: yes; fragrant pale pink to white
Planting / Care: Full sun. Well draining soil. Roots must never remain wet/waterlogged to avoid root rot. So don’t overwater, especially if in a container. When the fruit develops it is important to water regularly with a medium amount of moisture. Love the humidity. Light pruning as needed, at any time, with the goal of increasing sunlight and air circulation into the interior. For more information on citrus trees click here.
Size and Spacing: 5-7 feet
Pollinator needed to bear fruit: yes; self-pollinating - However, having two or more trees will greatly increase the amount of pollinated blooms
Links:
Florida Gulf Coast University - Meyer Lemon https://www.fgcu.edu/cas/communityimpact/foodforest/files/MeyerLemon-ADA.pdf
Citrus/Fruit & Nut Resources
https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/fruit-nut/fact-sheets/citrus/
Diagnosis of Common Citrus Problems: https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/homefruit/citrus/table2.html
Bexar County - Growing Your Own Citrus
https://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/homehort/archives-of-weekly-articles-davids-plant-of-the-week/growing-your-own-citrus-part-2/
Growing Healthy Citrus in the Backyard
https://mastergardenerssandiego.org/newclass/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Growing-Citrus-San-Diego-2016.pdf