Lemons are one of the most consumed fruits, which are most used in the kitchen and are very useful for many dishes and drinks. For this reason, more and more, many lemon trees are often seen in planted gardens. It is a fruit tree that usually holds up very well and therefore, being able to make grafts, reproduces them, is a good alternative.
The lemon tree, that is, the lemon fruit tree, is an evergreen-style tree. What does this mean? That the leaves of that tree or plant (if any) do not lose their leaves depending on the season, but rather keep them green throughout the year.
That said, a tree with green leaves is very fragrant and watch out, because it has thorns on the branches. They are not the same as in rose bushes, but they are good thorns (thick and prickly), be careful because on many occasions they are not seen and when you pluck the lemon, you stick the thorn.
Lemons trace their history back to Asia. In fact, the lemon is a mixture, a hybrid of medical citrus (as can be read anywhere). In Europe after the invasions of the barbarians that ended all the lemon plantations and it was not until more than nine centuries had passed that they did not reach Europe again, thanks to the Arabs. Specifically, it was in Spain, which is where the Arabs arrived.
Possible affections of lemon trees and, therefore, we should always take it into account and at the slightest suspicion, remedy it and tackle the problem at the root. Obviously, it is always better to prevent and apply the appropriate fertilizers (which we will tell you about the best or most appropriate).
The parasite that usually attacks the lemon tree the most is the cochineal (white louse). It is quite aggressive because it begins to damage the fruit tree from the moment the fruit begins to form , until it ends up being a ripe fruit, therefore, it completely damages all the fruits and you can get really upset.
Apart from the most common, there are other parasites such as the caperers, red cochineal and snakes. The cottony cochineal (because of the shape it leaves when it attacks, which is very similar to cotton), the coronet and the ribbed cochineal. Not counting countless lice and various bugs.
Aphids are another of the most frequent headaches for those who have a fruit tree of this type. Very feared black aphid for any fruit tree.
Red spiders, the wonder mite (it’s not a joke; it’s called this way because when it damages the buds of the flowers, they begin to form with very strange and deformed shapes). Another of the mites/parasites that is felt to be damaging the tree is when the leaves of the lemon tree begin to spoil. Pay attention to whether they begin to wrinkle, dry out, get damaged… One of the bugs that attack the leaves is the whitefly. Be careful with the flies that attack the fruit. The fly (the female) leaves the larvae inside the fruit and the larvae begin to develop inside.
Instructions for grafting a lemon tree
- Make a graft using the technique of bud with splinter.
- The rind should peel well and back.
- The bark of the tree itself is not as important as the state of the graft.
- The splinter yolk must be watched. Why? Because it must have a specific and adequate diameter to be able to peel the bark and then place it with the yolk. You can check if it is suitable if the splinter slides smoothly when cutting.
- Made a small cut above a yolk, it is placed right in the center, well placed, with the same diameter (hence we insist on the importance that it is neither smaller nor much larger) it is placed and joined.
- To properly cut the yolk, make the cut above the yolk (important). With the razor, knife or special knife for this (the one that is most practical for you) make a cut from the bottom up (as if you wanted to peel) and cut a piece, but without reaching the other end.
- At the time of wrapping (many people cover them with paradigm). Wrap the grafts well and carefully. Do not bend or drown them.
- If you want to have new varieties of fruit, choose to make grafts that are from other varieties. Try to use your imagination as combining mixtures of other kinds of lemons, grapefruit, oranges, limes, etc.
- Protect the grafts well with plastic if it is cold, there are frosts or heavy rains and cold.
What do you need to graft a lemon tree?
- A lemon tree.
- Scissors.
- Some gloves (don’t prick you with the thorns of the lemon tree).
- Alcohol (disinfects the scissors before and after, always).
- A cloth (to clean the scissors).
- A knife or razor to make the cut.
- Scotch tape. You will need it to grip well, the grafts you make.
Tips for grafting a lemon tree
It has a very high power of Vitamins C, Folic Acid, Potassium, Zinc, Magnesium, Phosphorus, etc. Among many other properties and vitamins.
Chip bud grafts are the most suitable for grafting citrus fruit trees. For example, it is used on lemon, orange, grapefruit, lime, grapefruit, and kumquats.
One of the fertilizers that can be used for the lemon tree, which goes very well to kill aphids and various bugs that can kill the fruit tree and damage it irreparably, is to use copper sulfate . It is a very efficient fungicide.
Being able to graft lemon trees is a real joy to be able to enjoy lemons at any time in your own home. When it comes to cooking, to make homemade lemonades, it is also used to make cleansers without toxic or aggressive agents, to make beauty products or use them in hair and facial routines and even to create your own air fresheners. It is for almost everything.
When you have a little practice grafting lemons or any other fruit tree or plant, you can do some variation. For example, trying to graft a lemon with a grapefruit so that a new class can come out, or a lemon with a lime… in short, carry out grafts and experiments that may surprise you and end up enchanting you. Think, above all, of preventing and tackling the problem (if that is the case) of fumigating very well before any small cochineal, spider or ant. Do not let it pass because they proliferate very quickly and can spoil not only all the fruits (lemons) but also kill the tree itself.
The lemon is a very fragrant, citrus fruit, lemon trees withstand inclement weather very well as long as they are cared for and have good nutrients, the correct fertilizers are used, a good soil to absorb nutrients and it is also important to do some good pruning whenever appropriate. It is important not to cut it just because or when it suits us. It must be done in the corresponding season of the year, late autumn, in fact.
It is a good tree since it blooms throughout the year, so except for external problems such as the weather (which can also influence) or if it has growth problems one year, it will always be full of lemons.
