My Meyer lemon tree experienced a minor flush of flowers in December, but this one looks like it will be the major one for this year. Tiny clusters of blooms are now developing as well as some minor leaf growth. I have one lemon the size of a golf ball, nine the size of small marbles and hopefully a few more to come with this latest flush. Maybe they won't ripen all at once this year, which would be a nice change.
I'll be hand-pollinating these flowers for at least the next couple of weeks. I'll admit, it can be a very calming activity, especially since you tend to notice the almost jasmine-like smell of these blossoms in the process.
I love hand pollinating. It really is calming.
ReplyDeleteQ: Do you have this thing inside or is it just in there for the winter? Or at least the pictures look like it's inside which threw me for a loop.
ReplyDeleteHi Ribbit - I keep my tree outside during the summer months (where it is much happier) but have it indoors from September to mid-May. I don't think it would fare as well if I kept it inside year round. However, I do worry about pests when it is outside.
ReplyDeleteNot only do the flowers smell wonderful, they're tasty too! My tree has blossoms and new fruit year round, but the main crop of lemons is in the winter. Funny, I never have noticed when the tree has that large flush of flowers that produces the winter crop.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! This is definitely on my wish list for this year!
ReplyDeleteCitrus blooms are so delicate and fragrant. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteso beautiful...I can just about smell them from here...:)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteI'm tempted to give one a go over here :)
I love that you're still picking vegetables .....my spinach has vanished under the snow, I can just about see the tops of my leeks and I've just taken several inches of snow off the brassica cage before it broke under the weight!
Happy days!
Oh mine is starting to flower even with one lonely lemon hanging on from it's fall flowering. It's still a baby so not too many, but it's good to hear it isn't just confused like I'd thought :)
ReplyDeleteI don’t know why I have problems in seeing second photo - just wont open.
ReplyDeleteBut anyways, first one is beautiful. Isn’t that next to it a small green lemon? Lovely.
I have never hand pollinated anything, that would be a nice thing to learn.
So pretty. I have wanted one for years, but then decided to get a mandarin orange instead. I am hoping it will be as successful as your lemon! I wish I could smell it through this computer. :)
ReplyDeleteWell hopefully it will keep blooming on and off all year long then you would get lemons all the time. But if you get a lot you can always preserve them.
ReplyDeleteThomas...so far this year I have bought 2 cherry trees..A Royal Lee and a Minnie Lee..good for my Central Coast Of California area...also got a Santa Barbara peach tree and a Liquid Amber..the variety is Palo Alto..it is the one that turns red in the Fall...
ReplyDeleteAnd next on my list is a Meyer Lemon.Now, John just has to dig the holes....after he just finished my little shed roof over the garden door and green shudders on the house..whewww..always work to be done on the farm....
more later,
kary
Beautiful shots! I posted your seeds today, they should arrive in a week or two.
ReplyDeleteYep, thanks to you (and my delicious breakfasts!), I'm also shopping for a tree. White Flower Farms has 24" high, 1 gallon trees for $75, which sees rather insane.
ReplyDeleteLemon blossom seems so utterly pure.