These citrus plants can only grow in southern climates without harsh winters. But you'll love having one, even if it doesn't produce much. The solution is to plant one in a pot on your windowsill. With the right care, such as watering and fertilizing, it will reap a harvest. We will show you how to fertilize a lemon tree at home in this Bubgo article.
| Number of times to fertilize lemons | First, let's understand when to fertilize lemons. |
| Month | What fertilizer to apply |
| February | It is best to use any organic matter and phosphate fertilizer. |
| March | It is advisable to apply organic, folk, and potash fertilizers. |
| April | Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers can be applied. |
| May | You can use any follow-up fertilizer. |
| June | Apply organic fertilizer. |
| July and August | Use folk remedies. September, October, November To feed lemons in autumn, use phosphate and potash fertilizers. |
| December and January | Months in which potassium sulfate and eggshell infusion are applicable. |
You should fertilize your lemons when you notice a problem: a sudden discoloration of the leaves or when the plant stops developing flowering, or fruiting. Your lemons may be lacking something in the soil and need to be replenished. That's what fertilizing is all about!
How do you know which element a lemon is lacking? It's simple: you need to take a good look at the plant. A deficiency of a certain element will be indicated by external signs.
1. Nitrogen deficiency. If the lemon refuses to grow, the new leaves are smaller than they should be and the old ones quickly turn yellow and start to fall off, you can check the shoots. If the shoots are brittle and do not bear fruit, there is only one conclusion: the lemon is deficient in nitrogen.
2. Phosphorus deficiency. In the case of phosphorus deficiency, the metabolic process is disrupted. The green mass becomes dull, growth stops, and flowers and ovaries are hardly produced. In case of phosphorus deficiency, there may be fruits, but they are often deformed and thick-skinned.
3. Potassium deficiency. It is also a very important element for lemons. If deficient, the leaves can be very large but will shrivel and have spots on the surface. This makes the growth and development of the plant negligible. If a tree is actively defoliating, yields are dropping and the fruit is becoming too soft, you can guess what to feed during flowering. This is a signal that the plant is deficient in potassium and therefore needs to be supplemented.
4. Calcium deficiency. Its deficiency in the soil. The leaves are easily and effortlessly torn off. The leaves are easily torn off without effort and become ugly. Calcium deficiency also has a negative effect on young shoots: they become pale and look sickly.
5. Iron deficiency. In the case of iron deficiency, the top of the plant changes color, first on the young leaflets with chlorophyll, and then on the older ones. If you look closely, you can see dark veins on the leaflets. The fruit will shrivel and usually fall off much sooner than it should.
6. Copper deficiency. If the leaves turn yellow and become sluggish, copper-containing compounds should be added to the lemon. Copper deficiency can also be indicated by a wilted crown.
7. Boron deficiency. This causes stunted growth and lightening of young leaves, especially along the edges and at the base of the leaves. It is also common for the leaves to curl and often fall off and for the fruit to become unnaturally dark.
8. Manganese deficiency. Deficiencies cause discoloration of the leaves and the veins become more pronounced.
9. Sulfur deficiency. It causes exactly the same symptoms as nitrogen deficiency but is often less pronounced.
Lemons, like any similar plant, can be fertilized with three types of fertilizers - mineral, organic, and folk. Let's talk about each type of fertilizer and the best amount for lemons.
They can be simple, i.e. they contain only one element, or complex, i.e. they contain two or three elements. To avoid overfeeding lemons (since overfeeding also does not provide any benefit), we recommend using simple fertilizers.
1. phosphate fertilizer. One of them, calcium superphosphate, deserves respect, but it has the disadvantage of not being well soluble in water. To make calcium superphosphate well dissolved in water, take 15 g of fertilizer and first dissolve it in 100 ml of water heated to 113 °F (45°C). The resulting mixture is then dissolved in 0.26 gal (1 liter) of room temperature water. You can also water the plants twice with 0.13 gal (0.5 liters) each time.
2. Nitrogen fertilizer. For lemons, urea, familiar to many, is perfectly suitable, requiring only 1.5 grams per 0.26 gal (1 liter) of water, and a solution such as 0.13 gal (0.5 liters) is sufficient for one plant. Ammonium nitrate can also be used to make a 1.5% solution with the same watering rate.
3. Potassium fertilizer. Potassium sulfate is very good for lemons at 3 grams per 0.26 gal (1 liter). You can fertilize twice in spring and fall with 0.13 gal (0.5 liters) per plant.
Suggestion: If you want to apply phosphorus permanently in advance, apply 25 g of calcium superphosphate per 2.2 lb (1 kg) of the soil before planting lemons. This is enough for 2-3 years of vigorous growth.
You can use humus, compost, or poultry manure.
1. Compost is the result of the complete decomposition of various crop residues. It is less active than humus, so you can apply 500 grams per 1.3 gals (5 liters) of soil. It is spread evenly on the surface, incorporated into the soil by light loosening, or added to the soil when planting lemons.
2. Feces is the result of the decomposition of manure when it becomes a substance indistinguishable from soil and has a partially pleasant odor. It can be spread in a 0.4 inches (cm) thick layer on the potting soil, or it can be incorporated into the soil and gently loosened. Only 250 grams of humus is needed per 1.3 gals (5 liters) of the pot.
3. Poultry manure is the most active fertilizer. It should be diluted 15 times with water before use; only 50 grams per 1.3 gals (5 liters) container is needed. Apply as a diluted liquid like any other fertilizer, watering the soil, but avoiding contact with the stems and leaves of the lemon.
Folk fertilizers are sometimes as good, if not better than mineral and organic fertilizers. Let's talk about the most successful folk fertilizers for lemons.
1. Sugar. Feed the plant during periods of vigorous growth or when you notice that it is weakened. Do not fertilize with sugar more than once every 10 days. One teaspoon of sugar is sufficient for a 1.3 gal (5 l) pot. This amount should be increased or decreased in proportion to its volume. Digestion will be better if it is dissolved in water beforehand.
2. Water for the aquarium. Useful to help lemons develop properly and form a real tree. All you need to do is to take this water regularly and water the lemons. When the soil becomes dry, you can use it instead of watering.
3. Eggshells. However, it is important to note that only raw eggs are a rich source of calcium. They should be thoroughly crushed before application, poured in boiling water for a day, then strained, and can be poured under the lemon once a month. Use 150 ml of the solution for every 1.3 gals (5 liters) of soil.
4. An infusion of herbs. Take any herb, finely chopped, soak it in water for a few days, then filter it, dilute it by half and pour it on the soil once a month. Pour 250 ml of the solution for every 1.3 gals (5 liters) of soil - this is important.
This is how to properly nourish your house lemon.
What do you use to fertilize your house lemons? Share your fertilized compost with other gardeners in the comments!
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