How to plant a potted lemon tree

You want to plant a lemon tree and do not know how to do it? You will have to assess the time of year, know how to get the seed to germinate and always cover the care that the lemon tree requires. Although there are some aspects of planting and caring for the potted lemon tree that are very simple, others require knowing the details and paying attention to comply with these steps or care well, since, for example, it can be easy for the plant to die if it is exposed to an inappropriate and extreme temperature or if it gets flooded with water.

To know all these data and discover how to plant a lemon tree in a pot, here we recommend that you continue reading this article in which we explain from how to germinate a lemon seed and when and how to plant a lemon tree in the pot of your choice to the aspects basic care so that it develops well and grows lemons.

How to germinate a lemon seed

To plant a potted lemon tree, you must first get the seed to germinate or you will have to get a small lemon tree plant. If you want to learn how to plant a lemon tree from a lemon, that is, using its seeds directly, follow these simple steps to germinate a lemon seed:

• Keep the ripest seeds of those lemons that you are going to use. It is important to sow recently collected seeds, since the more time passes, the more difficult it will be to germinate.
• Remove the gel-like substance they contain by rinsing them in water and make sure that each seed is whole, that is, do not plant the ones that are broken. By cleaning the seeds, you will be able to prevent the appearance of fungi that damage the plant.
• Drain the seeds and put them in pots or seedbeds with new, fertilized soil that is slightly damp. If the soil contains excess moisture, it will rot the planted seeds.
• Set each of the lemon seeds to a depth of 1.5 cm in the compost soil.
• Cover the seeds with more soil and put plastic wrap in the pot or seedbed.
• Place the pot with the planted lemon seeds in a location whose temperature is stable, avoiding cold drafts or extreme temperatures.
• When you see that it is growing, remove the plastic wrap or create a hole large enough for the plant to come out but leave part of the plastic to continue generating some more moisture and heat.

What is the best time to plant a lemon tree?

The lemon tree has an ideal time of year to be planted. This tree needs to perceive heat, but without being exposed to extreme temperatures. Therefore, the best seasons to plant potted lemon trees are spring and fall, but preferably spring (in the case of the northern hemisphere it is late March, April, May or early June).

The best temperature for the lemon tree to enjoy good health and grow is between 15 ^o C and 21 ^o C, so in addition to planting it in spring or autumn you must protect it from cold winter temperatures, as well as the highest temperatures. in summer. Knowing all these details about germination and the season, we will discuss how to plant a lemon tree at home and keep it in a pot.

How to plant a lemon tree in a pot step by step

Planting a lemon tree in a pot is not exactly the same as planting it in the ground, although these processes do share some aspects. When the plant that has germinated from the seed that you planted in the seedbed or in the small pot reaches an optimal size, you have to transplant it to the pot in which you want it to develop for much longer. In Oneota we teach how to plant a potted lemon tree step by step:

• Once you get the lemon seed to germinate and the plant is already several centimeters high and has several leaves, it is time to transplant them into a fixed pot. Do you not know what size pot a lemon tree needs? At the beginning of growing a potted lemon tree you can plant it in small pots, but the moment the roots come out through the holes in the base or you clearly see that it is too big or tall for the pot it is in, you will have to transplant the lemon tree to a larger pot.
• Use universal potting soil but mix in some porous rocks to improve drainage and some compost.
• The pot must contain holes in the base so that the water has an outlet and drains properly, preventing the lemon tree from drowning.
• Choose the germinated seed and carefully remove the covering paper.
• Place the plant in a hole centered in the soil of the pot so that the plant continues to grow straight and well centered in the pot, avoiding that the branches collide with the edge of the pot.
• Cover the base of the plant with soil until you notice that it is well fixed.
• Water the lemon tree a little.
• Finally, place the pot in an area where it receives sunlight for at least 5 hours a day, worse if it is not direct sunlight from the strong midday sun.

How to care for a potted lemon tree

After discovering how to plant a lemon tree in a pot, here we give you some very important tips to learn about caring for a potted lemon tree:

• Normally, the fruits of the lemon trees appear in permeable soils with great drainage and low salinity. Avoid very humid areas since the lemon tree will cost much more to bear fruit. Therefore, if you see that your potted lemon tree does not give lemons even though it is already several years old, check this point, as well as all other aspects of its basic needs and care.
• This tree requires a lot of contact with sunlight. Take this aspect into consideration to locate it in an area of ​​the home with a significant sun input. If you decide to keep the potted lemon tree indoors, place it near a window.
• As has been stated throughout the article, the ideal temperature of the lemon tree is 15 ^oC to 21 ^o
• The frequency of watering it needs is every 2 days in summer and, during the rest of the year, you can increase the time between watering and watering, since it will need less water.
• It is necessary to transplant the lemon tree into a larger pot every two or three years, renewing the substrate and touching the roots as little as possible so that they are not damaged.
• The end of winter is the best time to prune it, trimming the diseased and dry branches. Here we tell you how to prune a lemon tree.
• Pests such as aphids, cottony mealybugs, and spider mites are its main threats. Potassium soap and neem oil are the best products to apply a preventive treatment to the lemon tree. Here we talk more about pests and diseases of the lemon tree.