Lemon Mayer, 18 months old

Citrus × meyeri Common name: Meyer Lemon – Meyer Lemon (also known in some areas as: Garden Lemon, Sweet Meyer Lemon) Type and use: Hybrid citrus tree between lemon and orange, small size, grown for decoration and home production. Produces distinctive fruits with a moderate taste between sourness and sweetness, with an orange hue, and is considered one of the best lemon varieties for container and small garden cultivation. Environment and light: – Requires direct sunlight 6–8 hours daily – Thrives in greenhouses or sunny spots in the garden – Suitable for home cultivation on rooftops or balconies Temperature: – Tolerates up to 40°C – Tolerates cold down to about 3°C – In cold areas, grown in pots to be moved indoors during winter Soil: – Prefers well-drained sandy loam soil – Avoid heavy waterlogged soil – Ideal pH: between 5.5 – 6.5 Watering: – Water moderately, avoiding drought or waterlogging – In summer: every 3–5 days depending on soil – In winter: once every 7–10 days – Only water when the surface soil is dry Fertilization: – Preferably use citrus-specific fertilizer every two months – Organic fertilization in winter benefits the soil – Add iron and microelements when leaves turn yellow Flowering and fruiting: – Blooms from spring to autumn – May bloom and fruit more than once a year – Its white fragrant flowers attract bees – Fruits appear after 4–6 months from flowering Fruits: – The fruit is round, smooth, and tends to orange color – Taste is moderate between sour and sweet – The peel is smooth and easy to peel – Used in juices, cooking, and desserts Pruning: – Done after the harvest season ends – Remove dead wood and crowded branches – Shape the plant to allow good ventilation and sunlight entry Propagation: – By grafting onto strong citrus rootstocks – Also by cuttings, but less efficient – Available in nurseries as ready-to-fruit seedlings Common pests and diseases: – Whitefly, scale, stem borer – Recommended to spray preventively with neem oil or horticultural soap – Good ventilation and pruning reduce infection Aesthetic and practical features: – Ideal for container or small garden planting – Refreshing scent from leaves and flowers – Abundant production relative to its small size – Easy to care for and suitable for beginners Final size: – Height: 1.5 – 3 meters – Width: 1.5 – 2 meters – Size can be controlled with regular pruning Recommended planting spaces: Use | Distance in home garden | In pots or containers | ---|---|---|--- Home garden | 2 – 2.5 m | In pots with a diameter of at least 50 – 60 cm | Production rows | 3 × 3 m | | Additional notes: – Suitable for year-round home cultivation – Starts bearing fruit after one year if grafted – Tolerates most climatic conditions across the kingdom well – Considered one of the best options for container planting on balconies or rooftops