Combine fragrant blossoms and yellow fruit and you have a lemon tree. While these grow happily in the warmer climes, for those of us in the more northerly regions we are restricted to growing the dwarf varieties that can be brought indoors during the winter. I found this article by Sue Williams over at The Master Gardeners website which traces the origin of the lemon tree to Kashmir. Sue then recommends varieties that thrive indoors and includes some useful tips on caring for the trees.
Outside, cold and blustery weather returned to Adams County after several days of spring like temperatures. Inside, fragrant blossoms and shiny green leaves on our greenhouse window plants and dwarf citrus trees provide an antidote to the whipping winds. Nothing makes a room smell more like spring than the soft lemony scent of the blossoms of a Meyer lemon tree.
A Bit of History
Throughout history, common gardeners and kings have grown citrus indoors and out. Appreciated for centuries around the world, the “limung,” as it was called, is thought to have originated in the foothills of Kashmir, from where it migrated to China more than 3,000 years ago. The Romans grew lemon trees in greenhouses with mica windows. The Arabs, Spaniards, and Dutch planted lemon trees along their travel routes to protect themselves from scurvy. France’s King Louis XIV so loved the scent of orange blossoms that he had the first orangerie built to have the trees bloom year round. Citrus seeds were brought to the New World in the 1490’s, and by 1565, Spanish explorers had established orange orchards in Florida where they are still a major industry. Today, Italy remains the largest grower of lemons in the world.
Citrus from Seed?
Children often wonder if they can grow a tree from the seeds found inside oranges, tangerines, oranges, lemons, and grapefruit. Yes, as long as the seed is not damaged, the odds are good that it will produce a plant. But, you need to know that seedlings experience a very long period before they flower and bear fruit- perhaps seven years or more!
Read more at The Master Gardeners
Image source: Liz West
