Description of the Lunario lemon variety and features of care at home

The Lunario lemon variety is popular mainly among people who grow citrus fruits at home. This plant produces crops throughout the year (every season) and has low maintenance requirements. The fruits are characterized by a noticeable, elongated shape with a sharp “tip”. The plant on the basis of which the Lunario variety was developed grows in Sicily.

Characteristics and description of the variety

Lunario is distinguished by the fact that the plant often has fruits and flowers adjacent to it. This, as well as increased disease resistance and unpretentiousness, ensured the popularity of the crop among gardeners.

Crown

The crown has a tree-like shape. The bark of the trunk is brown, and the young shoots are green. The oval leaves reach 15 centimeters in length, while the lemon grows up to 5 meters outdoors.

A plant grown in a pot is distinguished by the presence of elongated and long branches, which are additionally strengthened with trellises.

The Lunario lemon variety is characterized by rapid growth. Along the trunk of the plant there are spines of different sizes.

Flowers

Lemon flowers have an inconspicuous purple hue and are arranged singly or in groups. The buds reach 6 centimeters in diameter, with an average size of 4-5 centimeters. The flowers emit a pleasant smell, which intensifies after contact.

Fruit

The fruits of the Lunario variety have the following characteristics:

• average weight - 120-170 grams;
• elongated shape;
• smooth and thin peel;
• weak taste and acidity of the pulp;
• little juice.

On one tree, up to 15 fruits, located close to each other, ripen during the year.

Advantages and disadvantages of lemon Lunario

Among the advantages of the variety, gardeners highlight the following:

• increased endurance and resistance to diseases and pests;
• early fruiting (in the second year);
• year-round flowering;
• maximum height - up to 6 meters.

Disadvantages include active growth, due to which gardeners need to regularly shape the crown.

Growing lemon at home

Growing the Lunario lemon variety is not difficult.Provided proper care is provided, the plant will bear fruit throughout the year.

Seedling preparation

Lemon of this variety is grown from a seed or seedling. The second option is preferable, as it allows you to get a harvest in the second or third year. Lemon seedlings do not require serious preparation. The main thing is that the roots of the plant remain intact.

Selection and preparation of a landing site

It is recommended to place the lemon pot in the eastern or southern part of the room. The plant requires a lot of light, but in summer, during the day, it is recommended to shade the leaves to avoid burns. In winter, the tree will need additional lighting. Lemon variety Lunario is prohibited from growing in the kitchen. This is explained by the fact that the tree gradually accumulates gases, which causes the taste of the fruit to deteriorate.

In addition, this arrangement contributes to the rapid drying of the plant.

During the warm season, it is recommended to place lemon in rooms with a temperature of 17-22 degrees and a humidity of 65-75%. In summer, the pot with the tree should be regularly taken out onto the balcony, providing a flow of fresh air. At the same time, the plant does not “like” drafts. In the cold season, the fruit tree should be placed in a room with a temperature of 7-14 degrees.

Planting in the soil

The plant must be planted in pots with soil, which is a mixture of garden soil and sand. The top of the soil should be covered with polyethylene, after which the lemon should be left in this form for 2-3 weeks. During the specified period, it is recommended to periodically spray the soil with water. The soil should be loose, so that the roots will receive a sufficient amount of oxygen.

Plant care

In addition to ensuring the above conditions, tree care includes regular watering, fertilizing and removing yellowed leaves.

Fertilizer and watering

In the warm season, the plant should be watered twice a week, preventing the soil from drying out. In winter, water should be added no more than once. You also need to spray the foliage twice a week. And every 10 days it is necessary to water the tree with warm water.

A mixture of cow manure is used as a fertilizer for citrus fruits (manure is mixed with water in equal proportions, then infused for a week, filtered and mixed again with water in a ratio of 1:5). In spring and summer, fertilizing is applied once a week, in winter - monthly.

Lemon transplant

In the first three years, it is recommended to replant the tree into new pots every spring. Later, this interval is increased to 2-3 years. To replant, you should take a larger pot, laying a drainage layer on the bottom. During the procedure, you need to leave the soil on the roots. Before planting the crop, it is recommended to bake the substrate for citrus fruits (can be purchased at flower shops) in the oven.

Crown formation

The crown is formed every spring. This frequency is due to the rapid growth of the plant. To form the correct crown, you will need to remove dried branches and trim the shoots to the fifth leaf. With this approach, the tree will begin to bear fruit in the second or third year after planting.

Diseases and pests

Lunario is susceptible to the following diseases:

• tristeza;
• root rot;
• gommosis;
• sheet mosaic.

Treatment of diseases is carried out by replanting the tree, treating the soil with a solution of copper sulfate and (if necessary) pruning the affected roots.

Among the pests on citrus of this variety you can find white mosquitoes, aphids, spider mites or scale insects. Treatment with appropriate chemicals helps control insects.

Harvesting and storage

Harvesting occurs as the fruits ripen. It is recommended to store lemon in a cool room or refrigerator.