Page 15 - Silver Lakes August 2021

GARDENING

LEMON TREES

By Elize Malan

lthough a sub-tropical fruit tree, the good quality potting soil. Good drainage Nitrogen deficiency, as well as
majority of Gauteng gardens have is necessary and water should run through overwatering, will cause yellow leaves and
Aat least one lemon tree. The neat drainage holes after watering. Containers poor growth. The soil should be moist,
shape, lush foliage and attractive soft- need to be watered two to three times not soggy and the topsoil should be dry
yellow fruit are a winning combination. per week or even daily during very hot before watering again. Deformed fruit and
weather. vigorous thorny branches could be the
In small gardens, on sunny patios or even rootstock growing from beneath the graft.
balconies, a lemon tree in a container is a Applying a thick layer of mulch, such as Remove these branches immediately.
smart idea. bark chips, compost or peanut shells, will
keep the shallow roots cool and provide an Treat insect pests when needed
The most suitable lemon cultivar for attractive finish. • Citrus psylla: The young psyllid feeds
growing in pots is ‘Meyer’, a small tree of on leaves, and causes wart-like galls and
compact habit with juicy fruit. Lemon trees are heavy feeders and an unsightly leaves. Only severe infestation
organic fertiliser, such as Talborne Vita Fruit is detrimental to a tree.
A large container is needed. Weight on and Flower containing micronutrients, • Caterpillars: Lemon trees are host
balconies can be limited by adding a few is required. In addition, a liquid fertiliser plants of the Citrus Swallowtail butterfly.
empty plastic water or soda bottles to the needs to be applied monthly during The larvae will feed on the leaves until
bottom of the pot, before filling it with summer. they enter their pupal stage when new
leaves will soon form.
A tree will lose condition if the roots • Aphids: Canola based organic sprays are
become pot bound. It will be prone to available. Never use systemic poisons
disease and fruit will be scarce. If the tree is (absorbed by the roots). You will be
small enough to handle, it can be removed unable to eat the fruit or use the leaves
from the pot, root pruned and replanted in cooking.
in the same pot, which is filled with fresh • The general idea when applying
potting soil. Remember to trim back some insecticides should always be control
of the top growth as well. and not elimination.
Lemon trees planted in soil have unlimited Tel: 012 804 1807
space to grow and sufficient water, sun Fax: 012 804 0278
and fertiliser is all that is needed. In Web: www.garden-group.co.za
the Gauteng area, the cultivar ‘Eureka’ E-mail: admin@garden-group.co.za
seems to grow best. Use a fertiliser rich
in nitrogen and potassium. Apply 8:1:5
in September and 5:1:5 in January and
March. Magnesium levels can be improved
by adding Epsom salts. Spread the fertiliser
below the dripline and not around the
trunk. Do not dig, but water very well.

INTRA MUROS AUGUST 2021 13