How to Grow a Lemon Tree From Grocery Store Lemons
It is possible to grow a lemon tree from the seed of a lemon purchased in a grocery store. A tree propagated in this manner, however, may never produce fruit, and if it does, the lemons may not be the same type as the one from which the seed was taken. Lemons available for purchase grow on trees produced from cuttings grafted onto specific rootstock. Still, growing a lemon tree from a seed can be a worthwhile project. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Fill a seed tray with a high-quality potting mix that contains peat moss and perlite or sand. Dampen the soil.
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Remove several seeds from a freshly cut lemon. Wash the seeds thoroughly and plant them right away before they dry out.
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Sow the seeds 1/2 inch deep every 3 to 4 inches. Plant more seeds than you need.
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Cover the tray with plastic wrap and place the tray in a warm spot. Check the soil often and water it as needed to maintain moist soil until seedlings appear in three to six weeks.
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Move the tray to a sunny location and remove the plastic. Do not expose the seedlings to direct sunlight. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy until the lemon seedlings grow numerous sets of leaves.
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6
Fill small 4-inch or 6-inch pots with potting soil and transplant the lemon seedlings into the pots. Water each plant until excess moisture drains from the bottom. Place the pots in a location with at least four hours of direct sunlight.
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Apply a citrus fertilizer diluted to half of the label-recommended strength monthly until winter. Maintain moist soil for the lemon tree except during winter. Throughout winter, let the soil dry slightly between watering.
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Repot the lemon tree in a larger pot the following spring. Continue to grow the tree in a container as a houseplant or---in warm regions---transplant the tree into the landscape.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images
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Comments
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A lemon seed.
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well my dad took a seed from his tea and it grew and I still have it after he passed away and I live in henderson n.c. and I would like to plant it outside and in wondering if it will live outside if I leave it cause ive had it since 2009 and I don't want it to die after I plant it in the ground?
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gunna try mehand at growen one-of-dem dar LA-MON TREES.
