Growing Meyer Lemons in Florida
Meyer lemons are native to China and thought to be a cross between a lemon and a sweet orange. The Meyer lemon was first introduced into North America in 1908 by a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) employee named Frank Meyer. Meyer lemons are a little sweeter and less acidic than true lemons. The flesh of this lemon is more orange than a true lemon. Meyer lemons are grown in China as a potted ornamental, but have become popular as a food in the United States. Because it is hardier than many other citrus crops, Meyer lemons grow well throughout Florida.
Select a location for your tree. Meyer lemon trees can grow to between 6 and 10 feet tall and require full sun. They need full sun, but can sometimes grow in partial shade. Select a sunny location with soil that drains well.
- Meyer lemons are native to China and thought to be a cross between a lemon and a sweet orange.
Remove your young nursery tree from its nursery pot. In some cases, you may need to loosen the roots from the side of the pot with a shovel.
Dig a hole slightly larger than the width of your Meyer lemon tree’s root ball. Dig the hole slightly shallower than the root ball. This will allow the root ball to create a bump to encourage drainage away from the tree’s trunk.
Place 7our tree in the hole and backfill the hole with at least 2 inches of soil over the top of the root ball.
Cover the root area with mulch to reduce moisture evaporation from the soil and to discourage weed growth.
- Remove your young nursery tree from its nursery pot.
- This will allow the root ball to create a bump to encourage drainage away from the tree’s trunk.
Give your newly planted Meyer lemon tree about 5 gallons of water per week split between 2 or 3 waterings. After your tree is established, reduce the frequency of watering, but keep the amount the same. Give your older tree 5 gallons of water once a week.
Tip
It is especially important to give your tree adequate water when fruit is forming on the tree. Remember that lemons are primarily water.
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Tips
- It is especially important to give your tree adequate water when fruit is forming on the tree. Remember that lemons are primarily water.
Writer Bio
Although he grew up in Latin America, Mr. Ma is a writer based in Denver. He has been writing since 1987 and has written for NPR, AP, Boeing, Ford New Holland, Microsoft, RAHCO International, Umax Data Systems and other manufacturers in Taiwan. He studied creative writing at Mankato State University in Minnesota. He speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese, English and reads Spanish.
