Lemon (Citrus limon)

At a glance

Lifecycle: Perennial (hardy)
Exposure: Full sun
Time to harvest: 210–365 days
Frost limit: −2 °C

Cultivation

Prefers a moderately heavy loam with a generous amount of compost and sand added and a very sunny position. Dormant plants can withstand temperatures down to about -6°c so long as this is preceded by a spell of 2 - 3 weeks of cool weather to allow the plant to acclimatize. The lemon is widely grown for its edible fruit in warm temperate and tropical zones, there are many named varieties. By budding onto hardier species such as C. aurantium, C. ichangensis or Poncirus trifoliata, the lemon becomes more cold tolerant and its climatic range can be somewhat extended. The flowers are sweetly scented. Plants dislike root disturbance and so should be placed into their permanent positions when young. If growing them in pots, great care must be exercised when potting them on into larger containers.

Propagation

The seed is best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it ripe after thoroughly rinsing it. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least three growing seasons before trying them outdoors. Plant them out in the summer and give them some protection from the cold for their first few winters outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Layering in October.

Medicinal uses

Lemons are an excellent preventative medicine and have a wide range of uses in the domestic medicine chest. The fruit is rich in vitamin C which helps the body to fight off infections and also to prevent or treat scurvy. Although the fruit is very acid, once eaten it has an alkalizing effect upon the body. The skin of the ripe fruit is carminative and stomachic. The essential oil from the skin of the fruit is strongly rubefacient and when taken internally in small doses has stimulating and carminative properties. The stem bark is bitter, stomachic and tonic. An essential oil from the fruit rind is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Refreshing'. Citrus species contain a wide range of active ingredients and research is still underway in finding uses for them. They are rich in vitamin C, bioflavonoids, acids and volatile oils. They also contain coumarins such as bergapten which sensitizes the skin to sunlight. Bergapten is sometimes added to tanning preparations since it promotes pigmentation in the skin, though it can cause dermatitis or allergic responses in some people. The bioflavonoids in the fruit help to strengthen the inner lining of blood vessels, especially veins and capillaries, and help counter varicose veins and easy bruising.

Material uses

An essential oil obtained from the leaves and young twigs is called 'petitgrain oil'. Yields are around 0.4%. The juice of the fruit is used for polishing bronze and other metals that have been neglected. Wood - nicely veined, it takes a beautiful polish.

Habitat

Original habitat is obscure, probably a hybrid involving C. medica x C. aurantifolia.

Native range

Original range is obscure, possible Asia.