Lemons can be grown from seed.You can grow the seeds in soil or in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel.The article will show you how to plant lemon seeds.How to choose the best lemon seed, and how to take care of your seedling are some of the tips it will give you.
Step 1: Prepare your soil with a bucket.
Put some soil in a bucket and add water to it.When it is evenly damp, mix the soil with your hand or trowel.If the soil becomes soggy, the seeds will rot.A well-draining soil is what you will need.Lemon trees don't like to sit in water.You should try to get a pasteurized soil mix.Pasteurization removes anybacteria that can kill seeds.Consider getting a soil that is a mix of organic and non-organic materials.This will give you proper drainage.
Step 2: Pick a small pot with holes.
The pot should be about 7 to 10 centimeters wide and about 12 to 15 centimeters deep.Some people like to plant seeds in a single pot.Pick a bigger pot if you want to do this.There are drainage holes in your pot.You will need to drill if your pot doesn't have any.
Step 3: The pot should be filled with soil.
The top of the soil is about an inch from the rim.
Step 4: A deep hole is needed in the soil.
You can use a pencil or finger.
Step 5: There is a plump looking seed from a lemon.
If seeds from a non-organic lemon don't grow, it may be necessary to use an organic lemon.Don't take seeds that look like a grain of rice or a raisin.These seeds won't grow into healthy plants.If some of the lemon seeds don't make it past the first year, consider planting 5 to 10 seeds at a time.Trees that come from seeds are not the same as trees that came from the parent tree.Sometimes the fruit produced by the new trees is not as good as it could be.Sometimes they don't produce fruit at all.The young tree is visually pleasing.When growing a tree, keep this in mind.
Step 6: To get rid of the slimy coating, wash the seed.
The lemon seed can be washed or sucked on until the coating is gone.This is important.The sugar in the coating can cause the seed to rot.Lemon seeds can be left in a cup of warm water overnight.This will help them grow quickly.
Step 7: Place the seed in the hole and cover it up.
The rounded part of the tip should be pointing downward into the soil.The roots will come from the middle part.
Step 8: To trap warmth, cover the pot with a piece of plastic.
Place a sheet of clear plastic cling wrap over the pot.Wrap the plastic wrap around the pot with a rubber band.There are a few holes in the plastic wrap.You can use anything from a pencil to a fork.The plant will be able to breathe.
Step 9: The pot should be placed in a warm place.
You can place the pot in a sunny location, but it's not important at the moment.Too much sunlight can cause young, delicate plants to die.You should see a sprout in two weeks.The ideal temperature is between 20 and 28C.
Step 10: You should water the soil when it becomes dry.
The condensation should rain down onto the soil if the plastic wrap doesn't trap it.This may not happen in very dry environments.If the soil becomes dry, remove the plastic wrap and water the plant.When you are done watering, be sure to re-cover the pot with plastic wrap.
Step 11: Once the sprout appears, remove the plastic covering and transfer the pot to a warm, sunny location.
Don't let the soil become soggy, keep it damp.You can learn how to take care of your seedling.
Step 12: Put a paper towel on a flat surface and smooth it out.
Start by soaking a paper towel in water.Put the damp paper towel on a flat surface.The bag should hold the paper towel.If the paper towel is too large, fold it in half or quarters.
Step 13: Pick out the plump seeds from the organic lemon.
It is a good idea to prepare at least 10 seeds to ensure you have a healthy selection of lemons.Large and plump seeds are what you should look for.The ones that look like tiny, white specks should be avoided.They won't grow into a healthy seedling, either.It is a good idea to start with several seeds if you only plan on growing one lemon tree.Not all seeds will grow.Don't crowd the seeds.They should be at least three inches apart so that they have room to grow.
Step 14: The seeds should be kept in a cup of water.
It will keep the seeds from drying out.The seeds need to be moist.They will not grow if they dry out.
Step 15: Remove the gel-like coating from the seeds.
You can either rinse the seeds in water or take them out.The sugars in this gel can encourage mold andbacteria growth.
Step 16: A brown-colored seed can be seen if you peel the white layer off.
Start peeling from the middle.If you want to peel the outer shell, you can use a craft knife or finger nail.This will make it easier for the seeds to grow and speed up the process, but it's not necessary.
Step 17: The brown seed cover needs to be removed as well.
Your seed is covered with a thin brown film.You can scratch this coating off with your fingernails.
Step 18: The seeds should be placed on the paper towel.
The roots don't become tangled when they sprout if you spread the seeds evenly.
Step 19: Place the rest of the seeds on a towel after peeling them.
The seeds should stay on the paper towel.If you notice they are getting dry out, cover the paper towel with another towel or fold the first one over them.
Step 20: Put the paper towel in a bag and close it tightly.
Don't carry groceries in a plastic bag.If you want the bag to retain heat, you should make it a sealable bag.Your seeds need both in order to grow.
Step 21: The plastic bag should be kept in a warm place until the seeds grow.
The temperature should be between 68 and 72 degrees.It will take a couple of weeks.Some plants need up to three weeks to grow.
Step 22: The tails are about 3.15 inches long.
Tuck the seedling into a half inch deep hole in a pot of damp, well-drained soil.pat the soil around the seedling
Step 23: The pot should be moved to a sunny spot.
To keep the soil moist, water the plant and not allow it to get soggy.You can learn how to take care of your seedling.
Step 24: Water your plant about 2 or 3 times a week.
Before you water again, let the surface of the soil become dry.If you stick your finger into the soil, it should be moist.
Step 25: It should get enough sunlight.
Lemon trees need at least eight hours of sunlight.It will take 10 to 14 hours to grow a tree.If you want your tree to get enough sunlight, you may have to place a grow light next to it.Grow lights can be purchased from nurseries and gardening shops.
Step 26: You should know when to transplant.
Your pot will eventually become too large for your seedling.Transfer the seedling to a 6 inch pot when it is 1 year old.You will need to move your plant to a pot that is 12 to 18 inches (30.48 to 45.72 centimeters) wide and 10 to 16 inches (25.4 to 40.64 centimeters).When it's time to transplant, a good rule of thumb is to look under the pot.It is time for a bigger pot if you can see roots through the drainage holes.
Step 27: The soil's pH level needs to be maintained.
Lemon trees like acidic soil.It should be between 5.7 and 6.5.You can buy a pH testing kit from a gardening shop or a nursery.One way to lower the acidity of the soil is to water the plant once a month with some cold black coffee or tea.Continue to monitor the pH until it reaches the ideal range.
Step 28: Provide your tree with proper nutrition so that it grows strong and healthy.
You can either dig a trench around the tree and fill it with compost or you can water it.Compost or vermicompost can be used tofertilize your lemon tree twice a year.You should water your plant every 2 to 4 weeks.It should be high in both magnesium and potassium.Purchase a general indoor plant fertilization if your tree is going to stay indoors.It should have some of the vitamins.Water your tree once a month with a solution made from a small amount of salts and water.You might not need as much water if your tree is small.Water the plant as much as you can, then save the water for the next month.
Step 29: It will take some time for your tree to bear fruit.
Lemon trees can produce fruit in as little as five years.Others will take as long as 15 years.If you want an indoor lemon tree to bear fruit, you need to pollinate it by hand.When your lemon tree is planted outside, bees tend to take care of this.