Lemon is a fruit tree of the Rutaceae family. Originally from Asia, it has the particularity of producing fruit several times a year. Lemon flowering gives very fragrant white or pink flowers. To increase lemon production and protect your fruit tree from disease risks, it is important to prune it. Find how.

To promote fruiting of your lemon tree and keep your fruit tree healthy, pruning is essential. You still need to know when and how to successfully prune your lemon tree.

How to successfully prune the lemon tree?

To optimize fruit production and maintain a balanced foliage of the lemon tree, it is necessary to prune it.

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The 3 different sizes of the lemon tree

The lemon tree undergoes 3 types of pruning:

– Form pruning:  is carried out on the tree  when it is still young   to give it an aesthetic form. This pruning aims to prepare the branches that will support the growth of the tree and give it its shape.

– Maintenance pruning:  is carried out when the tree is in the formation phase. This pruning can be done every 2 years. Renew the stems and remove dead wood or overhanging branches from the structure of the lemon tree,  in order to maintain its shape.  In this way, you promote air circulation in your lemon tree and help it  to capture the light better.  It is best to carry out this pruning after fruiting, so as not to affect the harvest.

– Fruit pruning:  is carried out when the lemon plant is more than 3 years old and   aims to improve citrus fruit production.

The ideal times to prune the lemon tree

The 3 periods during which you can prune your fruit tree are: at the end of winter, after fruiting, i.e. at the end of fruit production, and before flowering. On the other hand, you can prune your lemon tree  one month after the appearance of new shoots  because, as explained above, the lemon tree brings fruits several times a year. In fact, it can produce fruit and flowers for up to 8 months out of 12.

The method for pruning the lemon tree

To prune your lemon tree, you must  equip yourself with sharp,  clean and disinfected pruning shears. This way you will make clean cuts that will heal quickly and prevent the spread of the disease. Then remove branches that are damaging the structure and shape of your lemon tree. In fact, when pruning the lemon tree, the first thing to pay attention to  is the shape of the citrus fruit. 

For the trunk tree, in this case pruning will be used to recreate the carpenters. A trunk tree is a fruit tree whose trunk is between 1.20 and 2 meters high. As far as carpenters are concerned, they designate the robust branches that start directly from the trunk and on which the branches, twigs or buds of the plants develop. flowers. You should know that  carpenter branches should be preserved when pruning the lemon tree.  That said, when pruning your fruit tree, cut off branches that are very low, taking care to remove any other branches. Also, make sure the branches don’t intersect. Also cut the twigs that are in the center to ventilate your lemon tree and promote the development of the carpenter branches.

Also, when pruning your tree, be careful not to cut the leaf axils. This is where the buds that will give new shoots are located. Also remember  to remove the greedy ones.  The latter are branches or stems that grow from the trunk, but are not productive. In addition to this, they prevent the sap from circulating in the stems and productive branches. It is advisable to pinch them as soon as they appear , in order to prevent their development. In this way you will be able to encourage the development of fruiting branches.

How to maintain a lemon tree?

Growing lemon trees is easy. This fruit tree can be grown in open ground or in a pot. Since it is not very resistant, it is important to protect it from the cold. The lemon is an acidophilic plant that appreciates slightly acidic but also well-drained soils  .  Water your fruit tree with non-limestone, room temperature water, such as spring water. Water the soil only when it is dry  to avoid root rot.  Since citrus fruits appreciate the sun, give your lemon tree 7 to 8 hours of light exposure per day.

Read also: Practical guide for planting lemon seeds in pots

To improve the fruiting of your shrub, fertilize it with a special citrus fertilizer every 15 days during its growing period. Also remember to protect your fruit tree from pests and pests that wreak havoc on it. We cite as examples the cochineal which leaves whitish deposits on the foliage, the aphids which deform the leaves, or the moniliosa which is  a fungus which causes the lemon plant to rot.

That said, by controlling the size of your lemon tree, you will not only help it develop healthily, but you will also encourage fruiting and enjoy a bountiful harvest.

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