Lemon Tree fruit advice

Lozzo


Joined: 06/11/2008
Posts: 55

Message Posted:
02/04/2009 09:25

We have a lemon tree in our garden which is about 5 years old and quite well established. Every year, we get blossom and then it all falls off and no fruit forms. This year, it is absolutely covered in blossom but has already started to drop off. Does anyone know why? Does it need feeding? Thank you.

juliet


Joined: 11/01/2009
Posts: 612

Message Posted:
02/04/2009 09:41

Hi lozzo



yes it does need feeding, go to your local garden center they will be able to advice you. we feed our lemon trees 3/4 times a year, the soil needs a lot of iron.

catalkoykid


Joined: 15/02/2009
Posts: 1190

Message Posted:
02/04/2009 09:45

throw a few old bikes in there

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
02/04/2009 10:14

I was advised that the other things which can lead to the blossom to falling at this time of the year are:

Strong Winds, and Very heavy Rainfall / Hailstone - all of which physically damage the blossom.

If your tree is in an exposed position, consider creating a windbreak, either with fencing etc, or additional planting in the direction of the prevailing wind - usually West(ish) on the North Coast.

The tree should be thoroughly watered about once every ten days, once the rains have finished, and left alone (apart from checking for pests / spraying) in between.

Periodically break up the surface of the soil around the tree, or else the hard crust which forms on the heavy clay soil will prevent any water that you supply from reaching the roots.

Do like the locals do, and form a 'ring' around the base to retain any moisture.

If you have only had a very light crop the last year or two, be prepared for a Bumper crop this year - it seems to go in cycles...

louthlass


Joined: 09/11/2008
Posts: 271

Message Posted:
02/04/2009 11:07

Besides forming a well round the tree, push a length of plastic piping into the earth, about half a metre down, into which you put the hosepipe. This means the water goes straight to the roots and does not get hot or evaporate.

I deliberately left my trees to rest last year because of the shortage of water, but hopefully this year we may get some fruit.

Pearlbayer


Joined: 06/10/2008
Posts: 204

Message Posted:
02/04/2009 12:44

Not a great gardner but are they self pollinating. My neighbours at home pollinate peach trees etc with a small paint brush by tickling round the pollen from the blossom.

Maybe will set the fruit better ???????

segmen


Joined: 05/12/2008
Posts: 120

Message Posted:
02/04/2009 14:46

My dad used to say:

"dont over water it during its blossom time"

try it.......

also our friends are right needs fertilizer...

good luck

segmen

Whistler


Joined: 28/07/2008
Posts: 1332

Message Posted:
03/04/2009 01:41

Our lemon tree has been absolutely loaded this year and still has loads on it.

Someone told us that when the flowers appear you should pick all the fruit.

Anyone?

batgirl


Joined: 04/02/2009
Posts: 676

Message Posted:
03/04/2009 08:32

Whistler, when the blossom starts to show you should strip the tree of all fruit as you are" telling" the tree to reproduce, also feed with a couple of bags of organic fertiliser (sheep s*it)

Whistler


Joined: 28/07/2008
Posts: 1332

Message Posted:
03/04/2009 19:52

Thanks Batgirl. It`s like I thought.

segmen


Joined: 05/12/2008
Posts: 120

Message Posted:
09/04/2009 16:06

lozzo do you know how to make traditional lemonade out of fresh lemon juice? if not let me know.

segmen

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
09/04/2009 19:33

yes segmen, let us know. I love the lemon juice here though i am not sure it is good for my teeth with all the sugar they put in it

segmen


Joined: 05/12/2008
Posts: 120

Message Posted:
10/04/2009 10:19

hi scoobydoo,

everybody cares about their teeth scoob,if you like traditional lemonade I suggest that you brush your teeth afterwards.

Here it is:

1)wash all your lemons the night before and let them DRY.

2)sqeeze the juice in juice extractor.

3) drain the juice couple of times from fine drainer

4) mix one cup of sugar to 2 cups of lemon juice and mix it well with spatula.

5) pour about one cm high of mixture of this and....enjoy your drink

some people put 1 bitterlemon juice in in as well just to make the taste stronger



segmen

segmen


Joined: 05/12/2008
Posts: 120

Message Posted:
10/04/2009 10:21

ooopppppsss I forgot...

All containers must be water free to make it last longer...

bridie


Joined: 18/09/2008
Posts: 308

Message Posted:
10/04/2009 12:19

I store mine in brandy bottles that have not been washed out. The residue helps to keep the lemonade longer.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
10/04/2009 16:28

catalkoykid msg3



Steptoe & son still working in your neck of the woods?



Richard

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
10/04/2009 16:41

thanks segmen, i will definitely give this a go. can you freeze homemade lemon lemonade?

Tbl62


Joined: 03/12/2008
Posts: 83

Message Posted:
10/04/2009 18:28

i've just made a batch of 'easy to make'lemon curd- if any one interested can give details- very morish!!

segmen


Joined: 05/12/2008
Posts: 120

Message Posted:
11/04/2009 15:31

scooby I would not suggest it.......you loose the freshenes and the taste..



lemon curd?? yes please tbl62!!! pls give us the details...

thank you all,

segmen

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
11/04/2009 16:31

For the truly 'Lazy Cook': -

http://coffeeworks.blogs.com/coffee_and_tea/2007/01/microwave_lemon.html