I have always wanted a lemon or lime tree and I think I found one that is affordable and will grow in unpredictable Nebraska weather. Phil and I found it very amusing that there is a lemon with his last name, even spelled just like it. It is even small enough that I can put it in a planter on my deck.
But, alas, I have no green thumb. Is there anyone out there that could advice me on if this is something I could keep alive for longer than a season?
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I'm not sure Meyer lemons will grow well in Nebraska. But if they do, you're in for a treat; they have some tangerine in them, I believe, and are thin-skinned, sweet, and just delectable. They are excellent in everything you can possibly concieve a lemon in. I confess to eating them plain or dipped in sugar.
I think they need milder winters and longer warmth periods than you are likely to get, though. Frost is not very good for them. Sorry. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
You don't, by any chance, have access to a greenhouse, I'm assuming.
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
No, no greenhouse, just the deck of our apartment.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Can it be brought inside for the winter? Will that save it?
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
No, it needs more sunlight than that, even in the winter. I'm sorry.
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
*hopeful*
I do have room for it in the apartment (it's a dwarf).
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
Darn. Sun. Forgot about that. Nope, none of that here in the winter.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Yes, while the dwarfs are wonderful for space consideration, they still need to be outside. You might, with much difficulty, be able to keep it alive with mulching, burlap-wrapping, and all those other insulating techniques, but I really don't have much hope. Sorry. Citrus fruits are just meant to be grown closer to the tropics. Also, it will be a pain to move, because even dwarf lemon trees, when full grown, need a big pot of soil in order to survive.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
What about those lamps that provide full-spectrum light? Could they be used inside with the plant and thereby save it from a harsh winter?
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Hmmm. That is a consideration; if you're willing to outlay the money for that kind of thing, it could work, with much attention to frosts. My concern with that would be pollination season. I think that the normal pollination season for Meyer lemons is still acting pretty much like winter in Nebraska. Of course, perhaps a later Spring (you can't put the tree outside/unmulch, or undo whatever you're doing to get it through the winter until there is practically no danger of frost, especially a dwarf) would just mean a later harvest. Or you could hand-pollinate with a brush. Yes, I could see that working, along with careful attention to temperature swings (if it gets too cold at night, even if the days are warm, the tree won't thrive) and proper feeding and watering (actually, you want to give it enough water, but make sure it's not too much), and enough soil to grow in. But as I said, you need a big pot to allow root expansion, which could be a pain to move. And I've known fruit trees to adapt pretty well. If you got a growth lamp, it might just make it.
Posted by Rappin' Ronnie Reagan (Member # 5626) on :
I had a conversation with my mom about this exact topic earlier today. I'd seen miniature citrus for sale a few days ago. One day I'll live somewhere tropical or at least very close to tropical.
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
A bulb that fits in a standard incadescent light is like, 3 bucks. Way more expensive than the average lightbulb, but not wallet-emptying.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Or you can come visit me. I'll let ya, and everything. Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Wow, PC, that's cheap! I had no idea prices had come down so far. I remember years and years ago friends had to spend hundreds of dollars on special lamps to fit special bulbs.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Oooh! It used to be $25 for one of those bulbs (you need about 3 or 4 for a tree).
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I've read many times that you can grow citrus in pots up here as long as you bring it in for the winter and have a window that gets good light. I've never actually tried it, though... I was thinking I'd do limes, when I do. Give it a shot, Val, and let me know how it goes!
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Bob and I have been eyeing a miniature lemon and a bonsai pear tree. We'll be only about 10 miles from Xavier and Val, so we can comiserate and/or collaborate.
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I'll let ya, and everything. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)