Dwarf Lemon Tree Plants

Dwarf lemon trees are beautiful container plants.

Lemons were introduced to the United States in the 19th century and are now a multi-billion-dollar crop in California, Texas and Florida, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2009 Economic Research Service. Two of the varieties grown as dwarfs are the same used in commercial production, guaranteeing the same high-quality fruit and high productions levels that citrus growers expect. The other three are primarily grown as ornamentals.

History

Eureka is the most commonly grown commercial and non-commercial lemon tree.

Grown in southern California since 1849, Lisbon lemon trees originally came from Portugal. Eureka trees arrived in Southern California in the 1850s as seed stock from Italy. Found in the United States in 1886, the Ponderosa is believed to be a citron-lemon cross. Imported from China in 1908 by Frank Meyer of the USDA, the Meyer was found to carry the deadly citrus tristeza virus (CTV) in the 1940s. While the original variety was banned by the USDA, a CTV-resistant clone was developed in the 1950s. All modern Meyer dwarf lemons, referred to as "improved Meyer," descend from this clone. Variegated Pink Eureka, also known as Pink Lemonade, was produced in 1931 in Burbank, California.

Considerations

Pondersa produces thick-peeled, extremely large fruit.

Most dwarf lemons are not frost tolerant and require temperate climate conditions. They can be grown indoors in colder climates. Fruit type and quantity vary from variety to variety, with some varieties producing seed-laden fruit while others produce high-juice, low-seed-count fruit. Peel thickness and fruit size also vary greatly, with the Ponderosa producing single lemons that weigh up to 4 lbs. with thick peels, while the Meyer produces standard-sized fruit with very thin peels. All dwarfs have thorns and can reach heights of 20 feet if planted in-ground.

Types

Eureka is both a beautiful patio plant and a valuable production crop tree.

The most common dwarf lemon is the improved Meyer. Ponderosa is a collector's favorite because of the size of its fruit. Eureka is the most widely grown commercial lemon in the world and the primary lemon tree grown in California. Lisbon produces fruit almost identical to that of Eureka. Variegated Pink Eureka is a true ornamental lemon.

Features

Variegated Pink Eureka (also known as Pink Lemonade) has a lovely green-and-cream striped peel.

The improved Meyer reaches 10 feet if planted in-ground; it will maintain its small size if grown in a container and pruned and shaped regularly. The Meyer produces regular-sized, thin-peeled juicy fruit with a low seed count. Ponderosa is taller (10 to 25 feet) and less hardy than other dwarf lemons. Eureka grows to 12 feet, has nasty thorns and is an excellent producer. Lisbon is hardier than the other dwarf lemon varieties and is able to withstand short periods of extreme cold, heat and wind. Variegated Pink Eureka has light pink-fleshed fruit, variegated green-and-white leaves, and striped green and cream peel; it's a little less vigorous than Eureka.

Time Frame

Dwarf lemons start producing after their third year and can produce for more than 50 years.

Lemons are hardy in their growth zone and long-lived, with an expected productive life span of 50 years or more. All dwarf lemons begin producing fruit after their third year, depending on the specific tree's growing conditions.

References

• Four Winds Growers: Meyer Lemon Origins
• USDA Economic Research Service: 2010 Farm Sector Income Forecast

Resources

• Prudue Univeristy Center for New Crops and Plant Products: Lemon
• The United States National Arboretum: USDA Hardiness Zone Map