You have two proven ways to grow a lemon tree at your home; you can get a seed or you can try grafting.
To grow a lemon tree at your home, the best option is to use the seed method. You MUST get a seed from a trusted source. This means that you should not use ones from a lemon you bought somewhere. You need a real lemon.
What I am trying to say is that to get a lemon tree you’ll need a seed from an organic lemon, one that you can pick up from a tree. If you use lemons that you buy in a greengrocery, you won’t get a good result. Then, you need to find a lemon tree near your neighborhood and get a fresh one. We’ll make that lemon grow to a beautiful lemon tree.
The perfect seed
Once you get the lemon, cut it and get a few seeds. If you happen to slice one, throw it, that seed will not work, you need a perfect seed.
Get some paper towel and thoroughly clean them. You’ll notice a protective film outside the seed, like a shield. You don’t want to keep this film. If you do so, it would take a long time to your seed to germinate. So you need to remove it.
Start from the top of the seed and peel it slowly. Be especially careful not to hurt the seed. They are very slippery, so be careful. Repeat with a few more seeds.
Once you have the seeds peeled, put them in the middle of a new paper towel and fold it over a couple times.
Now pour some water on it, and insert the paper towel with the seeds inside a Ziploc bag. Remember to put a mark on the bag so you can now exactly when to get the seeds back. Put the bag in a warm place for 8 days. After that time you can check them back.
Open the Ziploc and carefully unfold the paper towel. You should see the seeds germinated.
Every seed should have a small root. Be careful not to damage them. You should see the seeds germinated; you can now put them back in the paper towel and into the Ziploc. Leave them for another 7 days.
This awesome video shows you exactly all the processes. When you check them back you should see a green root. This is the time to get them a solid “house”. You must plant them.
Time to get the sprout a good pot and some potting soil
Take your time to find the right potting soil. You should choose some organic seed mix, rich in nutrients, compost, and peat. You’ll also require a pot.
You’ll need a pot with drainage holes and 5-6 inches deep. Bear in mind that after some time the seedling will need to be re-potted into a much larger container. Remember that an adult lemon tree prefers a wider container (18 inches) rather than a deeper one (less than 16 inches). This large pot will be enough for your tree for some years, then, you should consider to move it again.
A growing lemon tree needs a lot of sunlight, and I mean a lot of; a sprouting tree needs 10-14 hours daily. If you do not have sunlight you may get a grow light. It is cost-effective and you’ll get a really green foliage.
How to sow your baby tree
So far we have:
- Some healthy sprouts
- A good potting soil
- A nice pot, 5-6 inches deep with a good drainage
- A real nice place to locate the baby tree with 10-14 hours sunlight or a grow-light
Now you need to moisten the soil. Put the organic soil into the pot and soak it. The soil should reach an inch of space below the rim of your pot.
Now plant your sprout! Dig a hole (1-2 inches) and insert the seed with the sprout. Cover the seed with soil and gently water it. Keep in mind that your seed needs warmth, moisture, and sunlight, but no direct sun! You do not want to roast it. Always check the temperature and moisture, do not let the soil to dry and keep the place warm.
After a month you’ll see a beautiful baby tree. Now it can have some direct sunlight. Remember, warm place, not hot.
And the secret to your success; love. You MUST love your baby lemon tree. Take a few minutes a day to look at it, talk to it, sing to it. The tree actually feels you and your love. This secret “ingredient” is most important. It’ll be returned to you with an awesome green foliage and juicy lemons.
If you liked it, share this and help others grow a perfect lemon tree at their homes.
Featured photo credit: photopin via flickr.com
