Citrus × meyeri Improved - Lemon, Plant in 1 L Pot

Citrus x Meyeri Improved is suitable for cultivation in the Uk however it will require frost protection. In truth, it is not a real Lemon, although it is so similar in appearance and taste, it is frequently called a Lemon. It arose in China as a cross between the standard Lemon (Citrus limon) and a hybrid of a former cross between a Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) and a type of Orange called a Pomelo (Citrus maxima) and has been grown in greenhouses and conservatories in the Uk for over a 100 years. Eventually, a medium size, rich dark green leaved, evergreen shrub, which is very tolerant of pruning to keep it in check. It produces distinct white flowers with a purple throat and a wonderful heady fragrance. The flowers appear intermittently during the year and are followed by the fruit which is similar to a standard Lemon, but rounder, often a little smaller and sometimes with a flush of orange and an aromatic skin. The taste is less acid than standard Lemons and a little sweeter. Excellent for culinary purposes and I like to add some when making marmalade! The skin is also edible. The fruit should be picked as soon as they turn fully yellow, or they will become too pithy. Most fruit will become ripe in winter. Our large plants will easily produce thirty to fifty fruits in a year. Grow in a pot with a good quality John Innes No. 3 compost with 20% horticultural grit mixed in and add a controlled release fertilizer to ensure sufficient nutrient, this plant likes quite high nutrient levels during the growing season. Place in a sunny location and protect from frost. Lemons require quite a lot of water in summer but do not like to be waterlogged. Flowers can appear at any time of year but mainly in spring. Fruit and flowers can also be present at the same time. With frost protection in winter expect the fruits to take around a year to grow and ripen. In a heated conservatory, this will be considerably quicker.