Meyer Lemon Tree Propagation Guide
The zingy and zesty taste of lemons can enhance the flavors of drink, dessert, and food recipes, this citrus fruit is a delight exciting our taste buds. Lemon trees are perennials growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant zones 9 through 11. These fruit trees are not only grown for their fruits but for aesthetics in a garden and landscaping setting.
What I love about these citrus trees is the ability to increase the number of trees by using propagation methods, the practice of propagation has proven to populate a garden setting with little investment that has proven to be beneficial. If your desire is to grow and care for a lemon tree by means of propagation you have come to the right place as this guide will equip you with the knowledge that you need to successfully propagate and grow your very own Meyer lemon tree.
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5 Steps to Propagate a Meyer Lemon Tree
1. Preparing the containers
Before taking your Meyer lemon tree cuttings choose plastic 1-gallon nursery pots or containers, if the pots are not new and have been used sterilize them before adding the soil. The pots can be sterilized in a mixture of 1-2 gallons of water and 1/2 cup of bleach. Place the mixture in a plastic container or bucket. Ensure when washing containers they are submerged. Once containers are sterilized remove them and allow them dry. Each pot should have drain holes at the bottom for water to drain after your Meyer lemon cutting is watered.
2. Preparing the Soil
A great potting medium is a soilless mix that is ideal for planting your cuttings, soilless mixture can help to discourage cutting rot. Fill each pot with the potting mix. Leave a few inches from the top free of potting mix about 1-3 inches. The reason for this is if you fill the containers all the way to the top the mixture will wash out of the container as you water your cuttings.
3. Taking your Meyer Tree Lemon Cuttings
Cuttings can be taken at any time during the growing season but the ideal time to take cuttings is late spring or early summer, with a sharp clean hand pruner, begin to take cuttings from the parent plant. The cuttings should be taken from the branch’s tip, each cuttings should have a least 2 or 3 nodes, the nodes on a branch look like a swelling or a bump. Ensure that the cuttings are not flowering nor have any fruits. Each cutting can be 8-10 inches long, once cuttings are taken it’s important that each cuttings stays moist. Place your cuttings in a moist paper towel and place them in a bucket or plastic bag, also keep your cuttings out of the sun.
4. Preparing your Meyer Tree Lemon Cuttings
Once you have taken the desired number of cuttings take each cuttings snip or remove all of the leaves except the top three leaves should remain. The removal of all but the top tree leaves will help to encourage cuttings to root. If there are any small remaining buds remove them as well, now with your hand pruner cut one inch of the stems at a 45-degree angle.
Now lightly scrape the bottom inch of the cutting with the pruner’s blade, don’t scrape too deeply. Now dip that seem end in water to moisten it and next dip in root tone. Root tone is a powdered hormone that helps to stimulate new root growth, the moisture will help the root tone to cling to the cuttings. Root tone can also come in liquid and gel.
Now press each cutting in the potting mix, only the part that was dipped in the root tone should be inserted or buried in the potting mix. Hold each stem in an erect position as you firm the soil around each of them.
5. Care for your Meyer Lemon Tree Cuttings
Now that you have potted your cuttings ensure that the soil stays moist at all times don’t allow the soil to dry out which will discourage cuttings from rooting or overwatering which can lead to rot. The cuttings should be kept out of direct sunlight, indirect bright sunlight is ideal for cuttings to root and grow. Your cuttings should take root in about 8 weeks. Once new leaves emerge from your cuttings this is a sure sign that your cuttings have developed roots and propagation was successful
The final word on how to propagate Meyer lemon trees
Propagating a Meyer lemon tree is that simple, follow this guide and you will be well on your way by having as many Meyer lemon trees as you desire. The methods of propagation are not new but an old method that’s effective and popular and is used by those who what to populate their landscapes and gardens with the same plant species without having to invest a lot. If you haven’t given this method a try I encourage you to go ahead and give it a try as you reap the many benefits.
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About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.