How To Grow A Lemon Tree From Seed?
Have you ever had a lemon from a family member, friend or neighbor’s tree? Did you wish you could have the same tree in your yard?
Well, You Can!
Growing lemons, or any citrus, from seed is easier than one might imagine. With our Southern California weather, we are fortunate to have an idea climate to grow great citrus. Citrus trees do well in hot weather, they don’t require an immense amount of water and can be grown in pots, which is great if you have a small house, live in a condo or rent!
If this is so easy and great, then what is the down side?
Growing any tree from seeds will take time and patience. It can take 2-3 years before the tree produces any fruit. However, the feeling when you do pick your first fruit from the tree that you grew and nurtured is completely rewarding.
So what do you do?
Take the largest and plumpest seeds from the lemon (or citrus fruit) and set them aside. Fill a small pot or seed starting tray with healthy, moist dirt. Plant one seed per seed starting square, or plant 2-3 seeds in a small pot. Water thoroughly so that the soil is very moist.
Here’s the secret.
Take plastic wrap. Wrap the top of the pot, creating a “humid” environment for the seeds. Place the pot or tray inside the house where it stay around 70-80 degrees. Let it sit! Water the seeds about once a week. Just a small amount of water. The plastic around the pot will keep the soil moist.
It will take roughly 3-4 weeks for the seeds to sprout.
Once the seedlings sprout, do not fertilize. Fertilizer will burn and kill the seedlings.
Keep the seedlings damp, but not soaking wet. Place them in the sun and let them grow!