buy Citrus tree (Citrus limon)

Plant care instructions for the Lemon or Orange tree

Citrus limon / Citrus sinensis

- Watermanagement: When the lemon or orange tree is planted with clay pebbles and Mediterranean substrate, it needs to be watered heavily once a week during the growing season (March to October)! In summer, this can be extended to twice a week during dry and hot weather.

In autumn, watering depends on weather conditions. If it rains a lot, the lemon or orange tree does not need additional water. If it remains dry for an extended period, you can water the citrus a few more times in autumn. It's difficult to determine the exact amount of water needed because lemon or orange trees may be in various conditions and come in various sizes. It's recommanded to regularly check the soil moisture by removing a few centimeters of Mediterranean substrate along the root ball. If the soil is too dry, increase watering. When the soil is too dry, the leaves will become dull, yellow, and droop. Also, keep in mind that due to their limited winter hardiness, lemon and orange trees are best planted in containers.

Fertilizing: The special Mediterranean soil from the Olive Tree Specialist contains sufficient nutrients for approximately 7 months (1 growing season). In the following years, you can feed the citrus tree with special Osmocote for Mediterranean trees. These fertilizer pellets are available from the Olive Tree Specialist. For dosage instructions, please refer to the packaging.

Pruning: Pruning a lemon or orange tree is best done in spring. In the spring, you can prune the upright branches to give the tree a nice shape. The side branches can be pruned back to five or six buds. Remove any branches with downward-growing leaves and ensure an open tree shape. This will make the lemon or orange tree much fuller in summer. If desired, the citrus tree can be lightly shaped during spring and summer.

Overwintering: When winter approaches, keep an eye on the weather. A lemon or orange tree can barely tolerate frost. During nighttime frosts, we recommend protecting the citrus tree by placing it in a cool, light space such as a greenhouse or an unheated room with large windows, where the temperature is between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius. This will best protect your lemon or orange tree during any severe or long frost periods.

Repotting: If your lemon or orange tree is in a pot or planter, it will need to be repotted after a period of 8 to 10 years. You can use the same pot or planter. Remove the citrus tree from the pot, then trim about 10 cm from the root ball and replant the citrus tree with clay pebbles and Mediterranean substrate.