I am very interested in having a lemon tree at home. Lemons are widely used in Bengali cuisine for their ability to enhance taste and their nutritional properties. Lemon leaves are rich in vitamin C, and a glass of lemon juice in hot or cold water can quickly relieve fatigue. As an average adult needs 30 mg of vitamin C daily, lemons are a convenient source of this essential nutrient that is available throughout the year. There are different varieties of lemons such as Bari Lembu-1, Bari Lembu-2, and Bari Lembu-3, each with unique characteristics. Lemons thrive in moderately acidic soils with good drainage, and care should be taken for proper fertilizer management, limb pruning, irrigation, and weed control. With the right care, lemon trees can bear fruit in one to one and a half years and continue to produce abundantly.
Start by selecting a one-year-old branch that looks like a pencil. Remove a few inches of bark from the branch and wipe away the sap with a dry cloth. Then, cover the area with soil mixed with dung. Make sure the soil is soft like clay. After covering the area, wrap it with thick polythene and secure both ends with twine to prevent light and air from entering. Roots will form within about a month, and it will be ready for cutting after another month. Make sure the grafting is done during the rainy season for best results.
How to Plant Seedlings or Graftings in Pots:
The lemon cultivation method is simple and can be done in small pots or even on the roof of a house.
Here are the steps:
- Mix two parts of loam or sandy loam with one part of dung.
- For a 4-inch pot, mix 50 grams of TSP, 50 grams of potash, 10 grams of lime and 150 grams of bone powder. Keep the mixture for 12-15 days.
- Plant the lemon seedling or Grafting in the prepared container. Check the seedling for signs of disease, especially for a disease called dieback which is common in lemon plants.
- Citrus plants generally require very little water. Give less water at the beginning of planting.
Care of Lemon Plants:
– For the first 2-3 months, nothing needs to be done except watering and weeding.
– Once the tree grows a bit, dilute mustard leaves with water and apply it at the root of the tree every 20 days.
– Lemon trees will start bearing fruit in one to one and a half years. Spray fungicides several times every seven days before the arrival of the monsoon. Use a good insecticide three to four times a year, avoiding spraying insecticides when the lemon tree is in flower.
– After two years of planting, fill a two-inch wide and six to eight-inch deep area around the base of the pot with new manure mixed with soil every year after the end of the monsoon.
The climate in Bangladesh is suitable for lemon cultivation, especially in pots. Lemon yield is good, and it’s relatively easy to grow.
