Meyer lemon trees are popular for home gardens and containers, valued for their fruit and attractive flowers. These plants, a cross between a lemon and a mandarin or pomelo, produce flowers that signal potential harvests.
Appearance and Fragrance
Meyer lemon flowers have white petals, often with a subtle purple tinge at their base or on the undersides. These blossoms are small and waxy. They emit a strong, sweet, and distinctively citrusy fragrance. Some describe the scent as floral, with a sweet undertone rather than a sharp citrus smell.
Blooming Cycle
Meyer lemon trees can bloom multiple times throughout the year. While they may produce flowers almost continuously in ideal conditions, they typically have two main blooming periods: fall and early spring. A newly planted or young tree may take some time to begin flowering, often around the third or fourth year.
From Flower to Fruit
Meyer lemons are self-fertile, meaning a single tree can produce fruit without needing another variety for cross-pollination. However, pollinators like bees or wind can significantly enhance fruit set. Once a flower is successfully pollinated, its petals shed, and the small green ovary at the base begins to swell, eventually developing into a lemon. The fruit then gradually grows and ripens over approximately six to nine months.
Promoting Abundant Blooms
Adequate sunlight is important for abundant blooms. These trees need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily to bloom and fruit effectively. Consistent watering is also beneficial; aim for deep saturation while allowing the top few inches of soil to dry slightly between waterings. Both overwatering and underwatering can negatively impact flowering.
Appropriate fertilization also promotes blooms. Using a citrus-specific fertilizer rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium supports robust growth and flower production. Micronutrients like magnesium and zinc are also important. Meyer lemon trees thrive in temperatures between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and a brief period of cooler temperatures around 60 degrees Fahrenheit in winter or early spring can encourage blooming.
Troubleshooting Flowering Problems
Several factors can hinder a Meyer lemon tree’s flowering or cause premature flower drop. Environmental stress, such as sudden temperature fluctuations, can lead to blossoms falling off. Inconsistent watering, whether too much or too little, is a common cause of flower and leaf drop, as it impacts nutrient uptake and stresses the tree. A tree not receiving enough light may also fail to produce blooms.
Nutrient deficiencies can also contribute to flowering issues; for instance, a lack of potassium can result in flower drop. While Meyer lemons are self-fertile, insufficient pollination can lead to flowers dropping without forming fruit, especially for indoor trees lacking natural pollinators. In such cases, hand-pollination using a small brush or cotton swab to transfer pollen between flowers can be helpful.