How to properly water indoor lemon
Indoor lemon is a universal plant for the home. Healthy, beautiful, with tasty, juicy fruits. But in order to grow it on the windowsill, it is not enough just to place the seed in the ground. Lemon, like all domestic citrus fruits, requires special attention. From the first days it is necessary to determine the optimal regime for watering the tree. After all, a lack of water leads to drying and death of the plant, and an excess leads to rotting of the roots.
How to properly water a lemon in a pot at home - this will be discussed in the article.
Watering frequency
The frequency of watering depends on the age of the tree, the soil in which it grows, the temperature and lighting in the room, the time of year and many other factors.
Loose soil in a small pot dries out faster than a dense lump in a large container. In a room with central heating, the soil is drier than in rooms with a stove. In summer, all plants are watered more often than in winter. You should pay attention to these details when deciding whether to water the plant or wait a little.
Experienced gardeners determine the need for watering by eye. For beginners, it is recommended to squeeze a pinch of soil from the pot with your fingers..
If the soil sticks together into a lump, it means that the time for watering has not yet come, there is enough moisture in the soil. If the soil crumbles, it’s time to water.
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Water for irrigation
The best water for watering indoor lemons is rain or snow.. It can be used without additional processing, slightly warmed to room temperature. Cold water is not absorbed by the roots, and the earthen ball becomes supercooled.
It is not recommended to water plants with water from city water supply networks.. Hard water contributes to liming of the soil. A whitish coating forms on the ground - a salt crust, which impedes the access of oxygen to the roots and over time causes the tree to wither.
Salt deposits are a signal to the gardener that it is necessary to change the water quality, make it softer. To do this, add 0.5 g of citric acid per 3 liters or 4-5 drops of acetic acid per 1 liter. Also infuse 200 g of peat in 3 liters of liquid for 24 hours.
How to properly water lemon at home
Lemon is demanding of moisture, so It is important not only to water it in a timely manner, but also to spray it from a spray bottle.
Note! Lemon should not be poured. He likes frequent, but not abundant watering.
Expert advice on watering indoor lemon trees:
- in winter the plant is often sprayed, and from May to September it is watered abundantly;
- mature trees are moistened less often, and recently planted trees more often;
- in breathable clay pots, the soil dries out faster, so lemons are watered in such containers more often than in plastic or metal containers;
- water for irrigation should be at room temperature or slightly warmer;
- The best time for the procedure is morning or evening.
The best place for citrus fruits in an apartment
It is advisable to place the lemon tree in a spacious, well-lit room on a south or east windowsill.
Direct sunlight can burn the greens, so in the summer they take care of shading.In winter, on the contrary, you will need additional artificial lighting for 5-6 hours a day.
If the plant is rotated clockwise 10° once a week, its crown will eventually acquire the correct symmetrical shape of a ball.
The most difficult thing is to provide correct temperature conditions at different stages of plant development:
- during the growth period – about +17°C,
- budding – no more than +14…+18°C,
- during fruit growth and ripening – at least +22°C.
Citrus fruits have a dormant period in winter.. The optimal temperature is about +12…+14°C.
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Conclusion
Many amateur gardeners dream of growing a fruit-bearing lemon tree in an apartment. From the first day a young shoot appears in the house, you need to provide it with comfortable conditions: a bright, spacious window sill, a pleasant room temperature and the correct watering regime.
It is recommended to moisten the plant with warm water, not too much, but often. It is good to water the tree with rainwater, but if this is not possible, tap water will do. The main thing is to clean it, let it sit and warm it to room temperature. If you follow these rules, you can grow a tree from an ordinary seed that regularly treats its owners with lemons.