Nurturing a lemon tree in Wisconsin is no easy task. This tropical citrus plant isn’t designed for our cold climate, and it takes lots of sun and warmth to keep it growing. Last summer, a few “proto lemons” started to sprout, but they never grew larger than the size of a grape before they wilted and died.
Would a lemon tree grow in Wisconsin?
There are several cultivars of dwarf lemon that do very well in Wisconsin as houseplants if you have a bright window. Look for “Meyer,” “Eureka,” or one of the “Lisbon” lemon trees to try. These can be found in most garden centers in five gallon pots.
Can you leave lemon tree outside in winter?
Most citrus trees can handle a light frost, but any temperature below 32°F can be detrimental to its health. Keep your tree inside until you are sure the last spring frost in your area has passed, and the average nightly temperature is above 40°F before preparing to move your citrus tree outside.
Can lemon trees survive cold winters?
It is important to understand how cold temperatures affect citrus trees. Among the citrus types most easily killed or damaged by freezing weather are citrons, lemons and limes. Temperatures in the high 20s will kill or severely damage these plants.
Whats the coldest a lemon tree can handle?
Temperature
Meyer Lemon Trees are very cold hardy and can withstand temperatures down to about 20 degrees. If your area gets colder than that, your tree will need to be planted in a container and brought inside when the temperature drops.
How do you grow lemons in Wisconsin?
Grow citrus in well-drained potting medium and keep it moist, but not wet. Citrus trees require soil that is moist but never soggy. Water regularly as needed to keep the potting medium moist, but not wet, allowing it to dry slightly between waterings.
What do you do with a lemon tree in the winter?
Wrap the lemon tree’s trunk in several layers of cardboard to insulate it against frost. Cover the trunk from just below the main limbs to the ground. Secure the cardboard with duct tape. Leave it in place until the last frost in your region.
How do I keep my lemon tree alive in the winter?
Winter Indoor Citrus Care
- Lower the room temperature. These trees go semi-dormant in winter and do best with a room temperature of 58-68 degrees.
- Consider supplemental lighting.
- Rotate the plant regularly.
- Fertilize monthly.
- Improve air circulation.
- Water properly.
- Watch for pests.
What temp should I cover my lemon tree?
Lemons limes, and grapefruit are less cold tolerant, and need additional protection in the 28-30 degree range and below. It’s a good idea to harvest all of your citrus fruit before a hard freeze. It takes 10 hours of temperatures in the low 20s to ruin fruit.
When should I bring my lemon tree indoors?
Once temperatures start to drop in the fall, bring your lemon tree back inside before the first risk of freeze. The tree can tolerate a range of indoor temperatures. If you set the thermostat in your home at a comfortable temperature for humans and pets, your lemon tree will be just fine.
Do citrus trees need to be covered during a freeze?
The full covering is only necessary if you expect a hard frost, but not in periods of light frost. Mature citrus trees can survive light frost without a cover, but you should wrap the trunks with insulation to protect against hard frosts.
How do you winterize a Meyer lemon tree?
Lemon trees go dormant at temperatures between 40 and 50°F (5 and 10°C). Favor a luminous and well-ventilated spot, and reduce the watering to only twice a month. If you bring it to place any warmer than that, you’ll have to keep watering once a week, fertilizing it, too, at that occasion.
Will a lemon tree survive in an unheated greenhouse?
Caring for orange and lemon trees in winter
In winter, orange and lemon trees will fare best in a cool, frost-proof area such as a garden shed, cellar or unheated greenhouse. Centrally heated rooms indoors are to be avoided, which are too hot and dry.
How do I protect my citrus trees in the winter?
Just leave unripened fruit on the tree. For citrus trees under three years old, wrap a thick insulating material such as Burlap Sheets or Dewitt® N-Sulate Blankets around the tree trunk. If the citrus plant is in a container, move it to an area that shelters it from the wind.
Can lemon trees grow in Zone 8?
Confirm Your Hardiness Zone
The ideal temperature for growing citrus trees ranges between 55 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re located in plant hardiness zones 8 through 11, you can grow citrus outdoors year-round.
What is the most cold hardy citrus?
Generally considered one of the most cold-tolerant citrus trees, the satsuma, or satsuma mandarin, is hardy down to 15 degrees F when mature. Kumquats also have some of the best cold tolerance, being hardy down to temperatures around 15 degrees F. Grapefruit is another of the more cold-tolerant trees.
How far north will lemon trees grow?
Lemon tree species (Citrus limon) are subtropical: they do well in warm climates, tolerate drought and are highly sensitive to frost. They are best suited to United States Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 to 11.
Can you grow a lemon tree in the Midwest?
The short summer months and harsh, cold winters of the Midwest can prove to be a challenge for citrus trees. Although the naturally grown citrus tree may fail in the Midwest, the container-grown citrus tree, or citrus bonsai, can thrive successfully in the Midwest while producing quality, edible fruit.
Will a lemon tree produce fruit indoors?
With sweet-smelling flowers, glossy foliage and tart, tasty fruit, an indoor lemon tree rewards your attention year-round. Regardless of your climate, you can grow a container lemon tree indoors and enjoy your own homegrown lemons.
What fruit plants can survive winter?
Some of the best winter fruits are persimmons, pomegranates, crabapples, apples, cherries, raspberries, citrus, and strawberries.
How long does it take to grow a lemon tree?
It takes around three to six years to grow a mature lemon tree from seed, with fruit starting to be produced at around year five. However, it only takes a few months to get a small lemon tree that will look pretty in a pot in your home.