Rutaceae family. Lemon is not an independent genus, but a hybrid of the genus Citrus Citrus (citrus tribe Citreae). Therefore, its botanical name is Citrus Limon, and the study of lemons at the genetic level made it possible to determine that it is a hybrid between bitter orange (Citrus aurantium - bitter orange) and citron (Citrus Medica).

The exact origin of the lemon is still shrouded in mystery; it is generally believed that lemons were first discovered in India, northern Burma and China. The oldest images of citrus trees appear on Roman mosaics in North Africa. And the first descriptions of lemons date back to the beginning of the 10th century - they were found in an Arabic treatise on agriculture. The first cultivation of lemons as cultivated plants in Europe began in Genoa in the mid-15th century.

Lemons are evergreen plants, reaching 4-8 m in height in nature. The bark is grey-brown with slight cracking on older branches. Many lemons have thorns. The leaves are oblong - wider or narrower in different varieties, usually pointed at the end, with pronounced venation. The petioles are short, usually about 1-1.5 cm, with or without lionfish (this is a striking distinctive feature in identifying the species). Usually in lemons there is a pronounced transition in the articulation of the base of the leaf blade and the petiole, but in the Genoa lemon this transition is not typical, it is weakly expressed. Lemon leaves have a certain life span, on average no more than 3 years. Blooms several times throughout the year. The flowers are axillary, usually solitary or paired, with a five-petalled corolla. The color of the buds is also distinctive between different types of lemons - some are pure white, others have a creamy tint, sometimes reddish (or lilac). Flowers with scent, self-pollinating. Bright yellow fruits are formed mainly on branches of at least the fourth order. The fruits are formed on short branches - fruitlets. A ripe fruit can remain on the plant for up to two years, changing color to green, and then again becomes yellow-golden; in some lemons the fruits ripen in 7-9 months, in others about a year and a half.

Types of indoor lemons

Mejer Lemon Citrus Limon x Mejer

It is a hybrid of lemon and orange (possibly tangerine - this point is still in question among botanists), named after Frank N. Meyer, who first discovered it in 1908. It is distinguished by its short growth, only 60-90 cm, and good fruiting. The leaves are ovoid, leathery, green, with a jagged edge. The flowers are pure white, very fragrant, about 3 cm in diameter, usually in inflorescences of 4-6 pieces. The fruits are round, small, up to 180 g, which is a little more than choice chicken egg. The taste of the fruit is more sour than other varieties of lemon, and its fruits are eaten unripe. Early flowering of seedlings (for 1-2 years), remontability, early ripening, and abundant fruiting of Meyer lemon make it interesting for indoor cultivation. But the Meyer lemon has one peculiarity - it is prone to a fungal infection (characteristic of this lemon) called " greasy spots" - the disease is not fatal for lemon, but extremely unpleasant, manifested in the formation of a slight yellowness on the leaves at first, not correct form, then blackening. Spots also form on fruits. Otherwise, Meyer lemon is also quite demanding - it needs very good lighting, otherwise it literally goes bald, especially in autumn and winter, but the seedlings bloom very early and the plant is able to bear fruit for 1-2 years. However, it will be better for the plant if in the first year the ovaries are cut off and the plant is allowed to gain growth and strength.

Pavlovsky lemon Citrus Limon Pavlovsky

A shade-tolerant tree about 1.5 m high, crown span about 80 cm. The leaves are light green, oval or oblong, pointed at the end and finely serrated along the edge. The leaves are 13-15 cm long, 5-8 cm wide, the lionfish are not pronounced, the petioles are short - no more than 1 cm. The fruits grow large, up to 300 g, but can be about 500 g. Thin-skinned and fragrant, the peel is slightly bumpy. This lemon in room conditions easily propagated by vegetative means. Of all the known lemons, it is most adapted to indoor culture, because... Its fruits are early ripening (8-9 months), the plant is medium-sized and very prolific. The seedlings bloom in the third year. It blooms twice a year - in mid-spring and mid-autumn.

Lemon Ponderosa Citrus Limon Ponderosa

This species is also known as Canadian Lemon - a hybrid between lemon and pompelmousse or citron. A low bush - about 70-90 cm, with large broad-oval leaves. The leaf blade is dark green, smooth, leathery. The flowers are cream-colored, white in buds with green specks. Flowering is abundant, and the flowers are collected in inflorescences of 7-13 pieces. But usually no more than 5 fruits are set. The fruits are large - from 350-800 g, with thick tuberous bark and low acidity. Seedlings bloom within 1-2 years. Ponderosa is unpretentious, quite resistant to room temperature in winter and dry air.

Lemon Jubilee Citrus Limon Jubilejny

Lemon bush up to 1.5 m high. The leaves are large, dark green, smooth, leathery, wide oval in shape, making the variety similar to Ponderosa. The petioles are short, the lionfish are sometimes very small, sometimes clearly visible, round. Flowering is very abundant, flowers are collected in inflorescences of 14-16 pieces. The buds may have a purple tint. The fruits are large, 400-600 g, with a thick skin, slightly lumpy, round or slightly elongated.

New Georgian lemon

This look has a gentle strong smell. The leaves are light green, elongated, pointed at the end, not wrinkled, but smooth, about 12 cm long and 5 cm wide. Fruits with a very small number of seeds, weighing about 120 g, slightly elongated, lumpy skin, about 0.5 thick see. Blooms and bears fruit throughout the year (remontant variety), starting from the age of five. The trees are vigorous with a spreading crown and a large number of thorns.

Lemon Genoa Citrus Limon Genoa

A low tree about 80-100 cm, without thorns, or they are very short and thin. Very productive variety, the fruits are smooth (not lumpy), bright yellow, oval, small, only 90-110 g. The quality of the fruit is higher than that of other varieties - real sour lemons, with a thin peel and a small number of seeds. The variety is remontant; seedlings bloom in the fourth or fifth year. The leaves are oblong, pointed at the end, characteristic feature- smooth transition from petiole to leaf blade. There are no lionfish. It is less common in cultivation than other lemons.

Lemon Lisbon Citrus Limon Lisbon

A vigorous tree, well leafed, with a large number of thorns, in nature very tall and fast-growing trees, in indoor conditions on average about 1 m tall. The leaves are oblong, rather wide, pointed at the end. The fruits are medium-sized, about 180-200 g, slightly bitter, there are few seeds, the peel is not thin, about 0.7 cm, almost smooth. Blooms in the third year. The variety is remontant and tolerates high temperatures well.

Lemon care at home

Temperature

Lemons are demanding of light and heat. In summer, the temperature is naturally normal room temperature. Budding, flowering and fruit set occur best when average temperature air and soil +15-18°C. Such wintering can be achieved on an insulated balcony or by separating the window sill from the room with plexiglass, polycarbonate, or even greenhouse film. Some of the lemons (Ponderosa, Jubilee) survive the winter quite tolerably even at higher temperatures, but it is necessary to humidify the air.
In winter (at least from November to January), lemons must be kept in a bright, cool room from +8 to 14°C, or a little lower, i.e. A short-term drop to +4-5°C will also survive. In this case, the lemon does not shed its leaves, but completely stops growing. The end of the rest period should be gradual - gradually increase the temperature and get used to better lighting(direct sun). Lack of cold wintering can lead to the plant not bearing fruit.

In addition, lemons are quite sensitive to climate change. If you put a fruiting tree outside, then due to a sharp change in daylight hours and temperature regime, it can shed fruits and even leaves; the result of climate change may be a lack of fruiting in the next year.

Lighting

Bright diffused light in summer, with direct sunlight in the morning or evening, and light shading during the day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - during the hottest hours. Different types Lemons have different attitudes to lighting. Some are very light-loving, especially Meyer lemon; it is placed on a south window. And others can grow excellently in completely artificial light. Lemon is a short-day plant, i.e. If the daylight hours are too long, they grow and fruiting is delayed.

It is especially important that there is enough light in autumn and winter, and even more so if the temperature drops slightly. Those. at temperatures from +5 to 14°C, additional lighting is not needed - there will be no growth. If the temperature is 16°C or higher, the plant will continue to grow slowly, which means additional lighting may be required. The total daylight hours should be 10-12 hours. You can light up lemons and other citrus fruits fluorescent lamps(white or blue spectrum), for example, on a tree about 1 m high you need 2 lamps of 20-25 W each, on both sides of the window sill. The problem with such lamps is that the distance to the leaves should be from 10 to 20 cm. If the plant is not on the window, but in the room, then you need at least 3-4 lamps and place them so that the crown is illuminated as evenly as possible. You can also use 250-watt metal halide lamps with a mirror reflector for additional lighting (but this is if there is more than one plant, but the entire window sill is covered).

Watering

In summer and spring, lemons are watered quite generously, but taking into account that the soil should have time to dry out in the upper third of the pot before the next watering. In winter, watering is less frequent and moderate, directly depending on the room temperature. The soil should dry out before the next watering in the upper 2/3 of the pot, i.e. In winter, the earthen clod should not be allowed to dry out completely, but excess moisture leads to rotting of the roots (especially in cold conditions) and the death of the plant. To ensure the roots breathe and prevent water from stagnating in the pot, the top layer of soil around the lemons is periodically loosened.

Humidity

Lemons are regularly sprayed summer period, but if they are kept in a room with central heating, then they spray it in winter. When kept in a room with dry air, lemons are susceptible to attack by pests (primarily mites). The optimal air humidity for lemons is 60-70% - this humidity is usually in the summer, if it rains periodically, when there is no rain - it is about 50%. But in winter, in heating season, air humidity is 20-30%, which is why lowering the temperature or spraying is necessary.

Transfer

Young lemon trees must be replanted using the transshipment method every year. Transshipment should not be carried out if the roots of the plant have not yet entwined the earthen ball. In this case, it is enough to change the drainage and top layers of soil in the pot.
Fruit-bearing lemons are replanted no more than once every 2-3 years. Replant before growth begins, i.e. at the end of winter, beginning of spring. When transplanting, you should not greatly destroy the earthen ball; lemons do not tolerate injuries to the root system. In the pot it is necessary to have high drainage (large expanded clay or pieces wine cork). When transplanting, the root collar in the new container should be at the same level as it was in old dishes. If the lemons have not been replanted for a long time, and the soil has sank and compacted, then the tree is mulched - fresh soil or well-rotted compost is added on top. It is also necessary to replace the top layer of soil if salt deposits have formed on it.

• Soil for young lemons: 2 parts turf, 1 part leaf soil, 1 part humus (compost) and 1 part sand.
• Soil for mature lemons: 3 parts turf, 1 part leaf, 1 part humus (compost) and 1 part sand.

Plus, you can add birch or alder coals to the soil for lemons (a glass per bucket of soil), as well as pine bark (fraction 0.5-1 cm, liter per bucket of soil) and vermiculite (also 0.5-1 l on a bucket of soil). Soil acidity should be from 5.5 to 7.0 pH.

Lemon feeding

In the first half of summer, 1.5-2 months after transplantation, fertilizers can be applied. This increases the sugar content of the fruit and reduces the bitter taste that is characteristic of citrus fruits when grown indoors. The plant needs more fertilizer the older it is and the longer it stays in one pot. Fertilizers are applied only wet soil. With additional artificial lighting, citrus fruits also need to be fertilized about once a month in winter.

Reproduction

Lemon grafting

Rooting a lemon in a zip bag

Lemons are propagated by grafting, cuttings, air layering and seeds. In indoor conditions, the most common method of propagating citrus fruits is cuttings - the best cuttings are Pavlovsk lemon, Ponderosa and Mayer lemon. You need to cut a branch 10-12 cm long and prepare sterile soil: peat soil(Terra Vita) half and half with sand. Pour the soil into a zip bag, lightly moisten it and immerse the cutting in it. Close the bag and hang it in a bright place (preferably a south-east window). The bag is warm and very moist, no humidification is required. When the roots appear, they will be visible through the bag. You can remove the bag and open it slightly - you need to get used to drier air gradually: open the bag slightly for a longer period of time every day.

For more information on propagating and caring for lemons, see the section

As you know, growing a whimsical lemon indoors is not easy. This requires optimal creation of growing conditions close to tropical ones, as well as timely, regular care. Great value when breeding citrus has its variety.

In Russia, the most common are low- and medium-growing varieties of lemons. These include “Pavlovsky”, “Kursky”, “Villa Franka”, “Maikopsky”, “Lisbon”, “Nizhegorodsky”, “Genoa”, “Eureka”, “Novogruzinsky”, Ponderosa”, “Yubileiny”, “Lunario” and others.

Varieties of indoor lemons differ not only in tree height, but also in adaptability to growing conditions, size and taste of the fruit. So, some types of lemon have fruit color from yellowish to greenish-yellow, others - from deep yellow to orange. Dwarf trees have a compact, beautiful crown, richly decorated with flowers and fruits, and therefore are particularly decorative.

Photos of some varieties of lemons are posted in the gallery below:

Photo gallery

Lemon variety "Pavlovsky"

Lemon "Pavlovsky" is a variety of folk selection. Bred in the village of Pavlovo, Nizhny Novgorod region, more than 100 years ago. It is a leader among other types of indoor lemons because, unlike its relatives, it is unpretentious, grows well and bears fruit even on western and northwestern windows. Tolerates shade and dry air. Flowering and fruiting last throughout the year.

Pavlovsk lemons reach 1.5-2 m in height. Their crown is round, compact, up to 1 m in diameter. The bark on old branches is gray or greenish, with longitudinal cracks and small thorns brown. The leaves are dark green, dense, with a smooth, shiny, flat surface. Their length varies from 13 to 16 cm, width from 5 to 9 cm. The shape of the leaf plates can be oval or oblong. There are specimens with broadly ovate leaves. The lifespan of one leaf is 2-3 years.

The yield of one mature tree is 20-40 fruits per year. The fruits have high taste qualities; their characteristics are superior to lemons grown in the south in open ground. They are often seedless, or contain 5-10, rarely 20 seeds. The peel of the fruit is smooth, shiny, slightly rough or slightly lumpy, 4-5 mm thick. It is eaten together with the pulp. It has a pleasant, sweetish taste. Fruit length is 10 cm, diameter is 5-7 cm, weight is 120-150 g, some specimens reach 500 g.

The lemon variety “Pavlovsky” begins to bear fruit in 3-4 years. The period of active growth is observed from late February to early June. After this, the tree enters a short state of dormancy. The second period of active growth begins in mid to late July. The third wave occurs in mid-September and ends at the end of November. Over the course of a year, shoots grow by 50-80 cm.

Lemon "Pavlovsky" prefers places well lit by the sun, but can grow in shade and partial shade. It develops and bears fruit better on eastern windows. On the south side, its leaves often burn. The optimal humidity for this citrus is 60-80%. Frequent spraying of the crown is recommended.

Meyer lemon variety

Meyer lemon has a second name: “Chinese”. According to one version, it is the result of natural hybridization of lemon and orange. According to another version, it is considered a hybrid of red-orange Cantonese lemon. It was brought from China to the USA and began to produce rich harvests even in open ground, for which it later became widespread in Europe. Appeared in Russia in 1929.

Lemon "Chinese"

Lemon "Chinese" is a low tree, reaching 1-1.5 m. The crown is spherical, densely leafed, with a few spines. Good for pruning. The leaves are dense, ovate, dark green, jagged along the edges. The flowers are small, white, with a purple tint, fragrant, arranged singly or collected in clusters of 2-6. Flowering lasts all year round, but the tree blooms most profusely in the spring. The fruits are round, with thin, bright yellow or orange skin, weighing 70-150 g. The pulp is juicy, slightly acidic, slightly bitter.

The productivity of this variety is quite high. Fruiting occurs in the 2-3rd year of the tree's life. Buds form on the shoots of the current year, so in order to prevent the citrus from losing extra strength, some of the buds should be removed.

The Meyer lemon variety stands out among other varieties due to its early ripening of fruits, abundant fruiting and early flowering(blooms in March - April). Fruits are formed on old branches and shoots of the current year.

Citrus tolerates extreme heat and dry air, but during the dormant period the air in the room where the tree grows should be humidified. It needs good lighting, so it is recommended to grow it on south and south-east windows.

It is believed that Chinese lemon has positive bioenergy, so it is used not only for decorating a room, but also for medicinal purposes.

Homemade lemon “Jubilee” and its photo

The Yubileiny lemon was obtained in Uzbekistan as a result of grafting the Tashkent and Novogruzinsky lemons. Is one of the most unpretentious varieties. It is a tree up to 1.5 m high. The leaves are large, dark green, dense, leathery, smooth, broadly oval. Externally they resemble the leaves of the Pendosa lemon. They are held on short petioles with small, round winged wings. The flowers are white, with a purple tint. Collected in inflorescences of 14-16 pieces. Flowering is abundant. During this period the tree turns into white ball. The fruits are round, large, weighing 500-600 g, with thick, yellowish skin.

The variety brings high yields. It begins to bear fruit in the 2nd year of life.

Lemon "Jubilee" is shade-tolerant, easily adapts to environmental conditions, grows and develops quickly. This variety has 100% fruit set even with low air humidity and lack of moisture in the soil.

The disadvantage of this variety is that it is difficult to achieve its growth. Instead of new shoots, bouquet branches with buds are formed. A lot of such branches can appear: from each dormant bud and leaf axil.

Below are photos of the Jubilee lemon:

Photo gallery

Lemon "Genoa"

Lemon "Genoa" is a low or medium-growing tree, reaching 1-3 m in height. It has no thorns. It has a wide, spreading, densely leafy crown. The bark on the trunk is brown and rough. The shoots are green and ribbed. The leaves are large, 10-12 cm long, 5-7 cm wide, green, dense, ovate, lanceolate. They are supported by short, wingless petioles. The flowers are large, 5-7 cm in diameter, consisting of five lanceolate petals. They grow singly or are collected in inflorescences of 2-5 pieces. Color several times a year. The fruits are round or oval, weighing 100-120 g. The peel is yellowish or greenish-yellow, thick, smooth or slightly rough, with a sweet taste. The pulp is light yellow, juicy, sour, with high taste.

The Genoa variety begins to bear fruit at 4-5 years of age. It produces about 50 fruits per year. WITH adult up to 120 fruits are collected annually.

Lemon "Lisbon"

This variety is native to Australia. Lemon "Lisbon" is a vigorous tree with numerous thorns. The leaves are large, dense, wide, lanceolate, dark green, with a strong, specific odor. The fruits are elongated-oval, with a slightly beveled top and a depression near the nipple. The average weight of the fruit is 120-150 g. The peel is thin, smooth, sweetish, edible. The pulp is juicy, aromatic, with high taste. Does not contain seeds.

Fruiting occurs in the 2-3rd year of the tree's life. About 60 fruits are harvested from one bush per season.

This variety is very hardy. Resistant to high and low temperatures, tolerates drought well. Needs bright, diffused light.

Lemon "Maikop"

Deduced by seed propagation during selection the best varieties lemon. Currently, there are several forms of Maikop lemons, differing in some characteristics. Some of them are formed without a headquarters, forming a dense, heavily leafy crown with numerous, horizontally located, thin fruit-bearing branches that do not have thorns. The leaves of trees of this species are smooth, dense, dark green, with a waxy coating on the surface. The flowers are small, white, collected in brushes of 3-5 pieces. The fruits are round or oval, with a thin, rough peel of a bright yellow hue. The average weight of the fruit is 150-170 g. This lemon is unpretentious and grows well in apartment conditions.

The second type of lemon, “Maikop”, is a tree with a symmetrical crown, with strong, semi-vertical branches without thorns. The fruits are oval, oblong, with a slight thickening on top. Their skin is thin, ribbed, smooth, and shiny. The average weight of the fruit is 120-140 g. Trees of this type are characterized by high winter hardiness. They can winter in cold rooms.

The Maikop variety has gained great popularity among gardeners for high yield And good quality fruits One tree produces 100-300 fruits. From 30-year-old individuals you can collect up to 750 fruits.

Types of Maikop lemons are presented in the photo below:

Photo gallery

Lemon "Buddha's Hand"

"Buddha's Hand" - a lemon that attracts attention unusual appearance fruits This is a small tree or shrub 1.2 - 3 m high. Branches with single axillary spines. The leaves are large, oval, oblong, dark green, dense. The fruits of this fruit are the longest among all citrus fruits. They reach a length of about 40 cm, a diameter of about 30 cm. They consist of a single peel 5 cm thick and contain a very small amount of pulp. The surface of the fruit is ribbed, rough, yellow or orange. The pulp is slightly juicy, sour or bitter, so the fruit is not suitable for food. It is used in the manufacture of confectionery and perfumery products.

The Buddha's Hand lemon looks like a hand with long, unusually curved fingers, which is how the variety got its name. Its aroma is similar to that of violets.

This citrus is heat- and light-loving and is mainly grown in tropical and subtropical conditions. It begins bearing fruit at the 3rd year of life.

Lemon "Ponderosa"

The variety is a natural hybrid of lemon and citron. It is one of the most unpretentious citrus fruits. Resistant to high temperature and drought. The tree reaches a height of 1.5-1.8 m. It has a wide, spreading crown with strong, numerous branches. The leaves are oval-oblong, hard, dense, dark green. The flowers are large, white-cream, with elongated petals, fragrant, smelling like jasmine. Flowering is frequent and abundant. The most intense flowering is observed from March to May. The fruits are round or oval, weighing 300 - 500 g. The peel is thick, rough, bright yellow. The pulp is light green, juicy, sour, pleasant taste. Contains numerous seeds.

Lemon "Ponderosa" begins to bear fruit 2 years after planting. Prefers places with bright, diffused light. Demanding about soil. Excessive acidity and lack of microelements appear on citrus leaves in the form of dark spots.

Lemon "Lunario" and its photo

It is a hybrid of lemon and papeda. Brought out in the 19th century. in Sicily. It got its name because it blooms every season during the new moon. Valued for its high yield and visual attractiveness.

Lemon "Lunario" is a tree 1-1.5 m high with numerous small thorns. The leaves are broadly oval, dark green, with a pointed end. Flowers grow singly or in clusters. The fruits are oblong-elliptical or ovoid, with a thin, smooth, rich yellow skin. The pulp is slightly juicy, greenish-yellow, sour, aromatic, contains 10-11 seeds.

The variety is unpretentious. It begins to bear fruit in 2-3 years. One tree produces 10-15 fruits per year. Fruits of high taste.

The following photos show the Lunario lemon from different angles:

Photo gallery

Citrofortunella "Vulcan" lemon

Citrofortunella "Vulcan" lemon – bonsai 1-1.2 m high. The fruits are small, about 4 cm long. The peel is thin, light yellow, lumpy. The pulp is juicy, tender, sour, pleasant taste. Flowers and fruits appear all year round, often simultaneously. The fruits stay on the branches for a long time.

When growing this crop, it should be remembered that lemon citrofortunella does not tolerate calcareous soils, so it is recommended to water with settled water.

Lemon "Novogruzinsky"

This variety is widespread in Georgia, where it is the best in terms of yield and taste of the fruit.

Lemon "Novogruzinsky" is a vigorous tree, reaching 2, sometimes 3 m in height. In open ground it can grow up to 5 m. It has a wide, spreading, densely leafy crown of regular shape. The shoots are thin and long. The leaves are oval, elongated, light green, with a pointed end and a rounded base, 12 cm long, 5 cm wide. The flowers are large, white, with a purple tint, solitary or collected in racemes. The fruits are elongated-oval, with a thin, smooth, shiny skin of a light yellow hue. The average weight of the fruit is 130 g. The pulp is juicy, tender, fine-grained, sour, seedless, with a strong aroma.

It blooms and bears fruit 2-3 times a year. Fruiting occurs in 4-5 years. At good care one tree produces 150-200 fruits per year.

Despite the wide variety of varieties, their care is the same. However, when growing citrus, it should be taken into account that most lemons are heat- and light-loving, develop poorly in poor lighting, but also react negatively to direct sun rays, which can cause burns to plant leaves. Therefore, trees growing on southern windows need to create slight shading.

When choosing varieties of homemade lemons, you need to study information about their advantages and disadvantages, characteristics of growth and development. The well-being of the plant, and therefore its productivity, will depend on proper care and compliance with all recommendations.

Follow external features lemons indoor varieties can be seen in the following photos:

Lemon is one of the most common types of citrus fruits. It can be found more often than others in the houses and apartments of both experienced gardeners and ordinary citizens who were attracted to this fruit by its exotic appearance and ease of care. In addition, many are attracted beneficial properties fruits lemon trees and the desire to have an inexhaustible source of vitamins takes over. Among the most popular are the Novogruzinsky lemon, as well as the Lisbon and Genoa varieties. Let's consider them in more detail.

This variety is relatively young, bred in the middle of the last century at the Sukhumi experimental station. In Abkhazia and Georgia, the Novogruzinsky lemon was one of the best selected species in terms of yield and taste characteristics of the fruit.

Description

The Novogruzinsky lemon is considered a giant among its “brothers”, because the height of the tree can be up to 2 meters (and often higher). In nature, it grows to a height of 5 meters.

At home, the tree has a spreading, beautiful crown with many thorns on the trunk and branches (see photo for an example of a young plant). In this regard, it is advisable to carry out crown formation in youth. The leaves are light green, smooth and elongated (on average 12 cm in length and up to 5 cm in width), and have a pleasant, delicate aroma.

Novogruzinsky loves sunlight, so you can place it on southern windows, slightly shading it, protecting the plant from direct sunlight.

It blooms with large white flowers with a slight purple tint. It is worth noting that flowering begins later than other species by 1-2 years. The fruits can be either round or elongated oval, weighing up to 150 g, with a thin glossy peel (up to 5 mm) of a light yellow hue and pulp with a pleasant taste.

Advantages of the variety

Novogruzinsky can bloom and bear fruit 2-3 times a year (remontant variety). If the tree is well looked after, agricultural practices are carried out on time and correctly, then 100-200 lemons can be harvested from one lemon tree per year. Moreover, they are practically seedless.

The variety was bred for the southern regions, but adapts perfectly to the harsher conditions of mid-latitudes and does not feel any discomfort when located in some Moscow apartment.

Due to its natural beauty, relatively tall trees of this species are often used in the interior of offices, holiday homes or sanatoriums: after all, a spreading tall plant with many bright fruits can always advantageously decorate any room.

Novogruzinsky is considered one of the most undemanding in terms of growing conditions, so it is very popular among those who like to grow exotic plants.

Lisbon

The birthplace of the Lisbon lemon (and in North Africa it is also called “Portugal”) is considered to be Portugal, from where it came to Australia in 1824, where it received further development and fame. But its first description was carried out in Massachusetts in 1843. In professional circles, the ancestor of this hybrid is considered to be the “Gallego” species.

Description

Lisbon lemon is a fast-growing, rather tall tree, growing on average up to 1.6 m, and some specimens up to 2 m.

It has a dense crown with strong strong branches with many thorns. The leaf is wide, elongated, with a characteristic pointed end. The trees have a pleasant strong “lemon” smell.

For stable growth and development it requires constant bright light, so the tree should be located near south windows, however, it is necessary to protect the plant from direct sunlight, avoiding burns of the foliage.

Lisbon blooms early - flowers appear already in the 3rd year of growth. Already in the 5th year, you can harvest up to 60 specimens per year, while they are quite heavy - 150 g each, and some can weigh 500 g each. The fruits are yellow in color and have a classic oval shape with a slightly beveled top and a small depression (pictured).

The peel is thick, up to 7 mm, with a smooth, slightly ribbed surface. The pulp has a pleasant sour taste.

Advantages of the variety

Like Novogruzinsky, Lisbon - remontant variety and bears fruit several times a year, which greatly pleases the owners of this tree. Moreover, fruits are considered one of the leaders in the quality and taste characteristics of fruits.

With proper care and the right place for the tree to grow, Lisbon will reward you with regular fruiting.

Genoa

The variety comes from Italian Genoa, emigrated in 1875 to California and in 1881 to Florida (USA), where it became very popular. From the USA, this hybrid came to South America and further to India. Breeders believe that this is a late hybrid of the Eureka variety.

Description

Genoa is a dwarf tree that grows to a maximum of 1.3 m. A distinctive feature of this species is that there are no thorns or a very small number of them.(you can clearly see this in the photo). The foliage cover is dense, with large green ovate leaves of a wide elongated shape up to 12 cm long and up to 7 cm wide.

Genoa is a lemon that loves the sun and should be placed on southern or south-eastern windows, but shaded from direct sunlight.

It begins to bloom at 2-3 years of life, and bear fruit at 4-5 years. It is worth noting that the fruits are not large - their weight does not exceed 100-120 g on average. The shape is traditional for lemons, slightly elongated with a smooth, rough greenish-yellow peel and aromatic, sour, but pleasant-tasting pulp. By the 4th year, an average of 50 fruits grow on the tree.

Advantages of the variety

Like all of the above varieties, Genoa is a lemon that blooms and bears fruit several times a year. A distinctive feature is its resistance to adverse conditions, as well as increased yield. With proper care, up to 180 fruits can be harvested from one tree per year. At the same time, the fruits are highly valued because of their taste characteristics. Including the peel - it is edible in Genoa and does not taste bitter, like in most other species.

Breeders have developed a great variety of lemon hybrids, but most of them require the same care with minor variations. The main requirement of this type of plant is abundant sunlight, so the pots with the plant should be placed on the south side of the house or apartment. However, most lemon varieties do not tolerate direct sunlight, so the plants must be shaded.

When planning to acquire a lemon tree, study the descriptions of species and hybrids, review information on how to care for the plant throughout the year, including:

• timing and quantity of watering;
• when and how to prune;
• fertilizing and fertilizers;
• reasons possible diseases and methods of their treatment;
• methods of reproduction.

And only after studying all the subtleties and nuances, choose a hybrid that optimally suits the conditions in your apartment or house. From the right choice depends on how the tree will develop and its productivity - the main goal of any gardener.

Not so long ago, this variety was considered rare; it was included in the collections of only “advanced” citrus growers. Now the situation has changed, Genoa can be safely classified as a common lemon. However, it is still considered a variety that is difficult for a beginner to cope with. The reason is increased demands on lighting and some capriciousness in care.

"Biography" of our hero

Genoa turned out to be a real lover of moving! There is information that the first trees of this plant came to the USA in 1875 from plantations on the outskirts of Genoa (Italy). Apparently, it was known in the Apennines long before this date, but it was American breeders who did a good job on the variety, bringing its characteristics to modern standards.

Painstaking work was carried out in nurseries in California, using Eureka lemons. Until now, these varieties are so close that sometimes only specialists can distinguish them.

It so happened that already in the 20th century, the improved Genoa ended up on the citrus plantations of Chile. Local climate and the soil came to his “liking”: in Chile it became more compact, leafy and frost-resistant. And after such metamorphoses he returned to Europe again, but no longer rootless, as fifty years ago, but a real hero, with regalia and achievements.

Interesting! There is information that this citrus came to the Soviet Union before World War II from Florida.

Description of the variety

And this tree has many achievements! Let us at least remember that in terms of their taste, Genoa fruits are considered one of the most delicious among the lemon variety! But everything is in order.

Crown characteristics . The tree is rather low-growing, although some reference books classify it as medium-growing. In greenhouses and outdoors it grows to a maximum of three meters, in an apartment - no more than one and a half; Most often, height is limited to one meter.

The crown shape is symmetrical, compact, and requires almost no shaping. The big advantage is the almost complete absence of thorns. The branches are densely covered with large dark green leaves. Among other varieties, few can compete with our hero in the density of foliage. The shape of the leaves is oval, ovoid, often lanceolate. The leaves are attached to the branches with short petioles; young leaves and the tips of growing shoots are light purple in color.

As already mentioned, for the crown to look good, the tree needs a large amount of light. In a room, Genoa grows successfully only on windows facing south or southwest.

Description of flowers . The five-petal flowers, traditional for the culture, are medium in size, about 5 cm in diameter. The outside color of the petals, as well as the color of the unopened buds, is anthocyanin (eggplant). Flowering occurs at 4-5 years of age. The tree can bloom several times per season. As a rule, against the background of dense foliage, you can simultaneously observe flowers, ovaries, and ripening fruits, which gives the variety a special decorative effect.

Fruit characteristics . Genoa is rightfully considered one of the most productive indoor lemons. Up to two hundred fruits are harvested from an adult tree on plantations! At home, one cannot expect such an abundance, but citrus growers collect 20–30 fruits from a tree.

The fruits weigh about 100 - 120 grams and have an oval, slightly elongated shape. A small, pointed nipple is visible at the tip of the lemon. Another important feature is the presence of a barely visible ribbed neck at the base of the fruit.

The color of the peel is light yellow, sometimes with barely noticeable green.

Interesting! The peel of this variety of citrus fruits is devoid of characteristic bitterness, has a sweetish, pleasant taste, and can be eaten along with the pulp. On the one hand, this is an undoubted advantage. At the same time, the peel is difficult to separate from the pulp, which is a commercial disadvantage.

The taste of the pulp is pleasant, sweetish, with typical lemon sourness. A special feature of the variety is the presence of a dense film between the segments.

Instead of an epilogue

— Poor peelability.
— Presence inside the fetus large quantity dense films.

Only in Chile and Argentina did the variety become widespread as an industrial crop.

But, you must agree, the above arguments cannot be considered a disadvantage for home grown. After all, we repeat, the fruits of this tree are considered one of the most delicious! Besides, is it the taste that makes us adore indoor lemons?

Lemon "Genoa" / C. limon "Genoa" (Genova).
Very productive (20-50 pieces per tree), indoor lemon, beloved by many citrus growers. On an adult Genoa lemon, there are many more fruits, and can reach two hundred pieces! Genoa has many advantages. Among them is the characteristic of the fetus.

Among the many varieties of lemons, those weighing 100-120g are considered the most delicious. The skin of the Genoa lemon, unlike other lemons, is sweetish and has no bitterness. It is edible and is eaten along with lemon pulp. The pulp is amazingly aromatic, tasty, juicy, pleasantly sour. The light gray-yellow color of the pulp gives this citrus its piquancy. The fruits are elongated-oval, elongated in shape with a slightly pointed nipple. The base of the Genoa lemon has a small ribbed neck.

Lemon Genoa. Caring for it at home

Genoa's flowers are fragrant and beautiful. They are usually solitary, but can be collected in inflorescences of 2-3 pieces.

The tree is low-growing, sparsely-medium-sized with an oval or spreading crown, heavily leafed. In an apartment, the Genoa lemon grows up to one meter in height, rarely -1.5. In nature, a lemon reaches three meters. The leaves are large, oval, wingless. There are thin spines on the branches.

Genoa loves light and prefers a south or southeast position. windows. It also grows well on loggias and in greenhouses. IN summer time, lemon can be taken out into the garden. On fresh air All lemons build up vegetative mass well, grow well and produce fruit.

A worthy variety for citrus lovers. to your collection.