Possibility of cultivation Lemon trees Orange trees in urban areas It is of interest to those looking to incorporate fruit trees into gardens, balconies or terraces.
When asked by Infobae Deco, agronomist and fruit farm specialist Juan Buela explained that these Citrus trees can adapt to the ground and large pots.Allowing you to enjoy fresh fruits all year round in the case of four-season lemon trees.
during springAll citrus fruits go through the flowering stage. In particular, Lemon Of the four seasons, it blooms for the first time between September and November, and repeats the process in the fall, between March and May.
This feature allows you to serve lemons all 12 months of the year.
For their part, Orange trees They have a different cycle: they bloom only once in spring and their fruits are harvested the following year.
Location is crucial to the development of these trees.
Buela recommended choosing a location that receives at least 6 hours of full sun dailyBecause exposure to sunlight enhances the growth, productivity and longevity of citrus fruits.
Moreover, he emphasized the importance of A Loose, well-drained soil With a high percentage of fertilizer, avoiding areas where water can accumulate for long periods.
Annual management of citrus trees involves challenges such as pests and diseases. It is among the most common pests, Buella reported Citrus leaf minerIt is a small insect that lays its eggs on new shoots.
The larvae that emerge from these eggs make grooves in the leaves when they feed on the sap, which can cause them to become deformed and reduce their ability to photosynthesize.
“It is not good to be attacked by many of these pests, because if there are not many leaves they do not photosynthesize,” Boyla warned, recommending timely prevention and treatment to avoid further damage.
Pruning is another essential aspect of lemon and orange tree care. If this is not done properly, trees tend to grow in height and close their crown, limiting light entry and concentrating fruit production on the limbs. Boyla explained that the goal of pruning is to allow light to penetrate evenly throughout the crown, which promotes fruit growth on all branches and facilitates harvesting and general management of the tree. “The issue of pruning is essential. Of course, you have to educate yourself, and this is not an easy thing,” he said, adding that the cuttings should be distributed throughout the crown and not just at the top.
The ability of citrus trees to adapt to pots expands the possibilities for those with limited space. Boyla stated that lemon and orange trees can grow and bear fruit in pots, as long as they are of appropriate size, and recommended capacities of more than Sixty liters And even if that is possible Two hundred litres. “The larger this pot is, the larger the tree will be,” he said, stressing that citrus can live for many years in these conditions.
Regarding productivity, Boyla distinguished between trees obtained from seeds and those that were grafted. It usually takes the first one Seven years To begin to produce fruit, while grafted, containing part of an adult plant, can bear fruit from the first year.
Although support from a professional can be helpful, Boyla said citrus is one of the easiest fruit trees to handle. “With three or four little things, you can produce a lot and live a long time,” he said, although he insisted that proper pruning techniques must be learned to ensure the success of the crop.
possibility of existence Urban fruit trees Producing lemons and oranges on balconies or terraces represents a viable and rewarding alternative for those who want to incorporate nature and flavor into their everyday spaces.
Photos and video: Thomas Codor (IwOKFilms)