Meyer Lemon Tree - Grafted

Summary:
The Meyer Lemon is a popular home garden citrus tree, growing 4–5 m tall and producing round fruit with thin, smooth skin. Sweeter, juicier, and less acidic than standard lemons, it is ideal for juicing, cooking, and fresh eating. Highly adaptable and more frost tolerant than most lemons, it thrives in both humid subtropical and temperate climates, making it a versatile backyard favourite.

Quick Overview:

• Common Name: Meyer Lemon
• Botanical Name: Citrus × meyeri
• Origin: Believed to be a hybrid between a lemon and mandarin/orange, originally from China
• Height & Width: 4–5 m high × 3 m wide (smaller if grown in pots)
• Foliage: Glossy evergreen leaves with a dense, rounded crown
• Flowers: White, fragrant blossoms produced through spring and summer
• Fruit: Rounded yellow fruit with thin, smooth skin; juicy, sweet-tart flavour; excellent for cooking, drinks, or fresh use
• Wildlife Attraction: Fragrant flowers attract bees and pollinators
• Position: Full sun, sheltered from strong winds
• Soil: Fertile, free-draining soil enriched with organic matter
• Tolerance: More frost tolerant than standard lemons; adapts well to humid climates
• Maintenance: Moderate; regular watering and annual pruning required
• Etymology: Citrus is the classical Latin name for citrus trees; meyeri commemorates Frank Meyer, the plant explorer who introduced the variety to the West

Detailed Description:

The Meyer Lemon is one of the most popular lemons for home gardens due to its sweeter flavour and thin-skinned fruit, which are easier to juice and less acidic than standard lemons. This makes it perfect for drinks, desserts, and cooking. Its compact size, evergreen foliage, and fragrant blossoms also make it a highly ornamental addition to gardens and patios.

This lemon grows strongly in full sun and performs reliably across a wide range of climates. It is more tolerant of cold than many citrus types and also thrives in humid conditions, making it an adaptable and forgiving tree for most gardeners. With proper care, it can provide an almost year-round harvest in warm climates.

Growth and Maintenance:

• Watering: Water well during dry periods; maintain soil moisture without waterlogging
• Fertilising: Apply a balanced citrus fertiliser as directed during the growing season
• Mulching: Use organic mulch to conserve moisture, cool the roots, and reduce weeds (keep a 25 mm gap around trunk)

Pruning:

• Formative: Light pruning to encourage a strong framework of branches
• Annual Care: Remove crossing branches, maintain airflow, and shape to desired height
• Container Growth: Keep pruned smaller if grown in pots for patios and courtyards

Common Uses:

• Juicing for fresh lemonade or cocktails
• Cooking and desserts with a sweeter, less acidic lemon flavour
• Ornamental garden feature with evergreen foliage and fragrant blossoms
• Container tree for patios and courtyards

Planting Benefits:

• Sweet Flavour: Sweeter and juicier than standard lemons, perfect for drinks and desserts
• Cold Tolerance: More frost-hardy than other lemon varieties
• Year-Round Harvest: Can fruit for much of the year in warm climates
• Compact Size: Suited to pots and smaller gardens