When choosing a lemon, pay attention to its appearance. The best is considered to be the one that has a thin skin and small size. Orange Tashkent lemons are especially appreciated. These fruits contain vitamins B (necessary for the breakdown of proteins, fats and carbohydrates) and C (essential for the functioning of the immune system) necessary for human life, as well as potassium and copper, which are essential for heart function.
Uzbek fruits
The variety "Tashkent" was bred in Uzbekistan in the mid 80-ies of the last century by academician Z. Farhutdinov and gained fame far beyond the borders of Central Asia. These fruits are very popular among gourmets for a special refined taste. For true connoisseurs, the Uzbek lemon is considered the standard of taste. Its unique aroma fills the air with invigorating freshness. The fruit grown in the sun, in addition to excellent taste, also has all the healing properties that are inherent in citrus fruits of this species.
Tashkent lemon: description
The tree reaches a height of up to 2.5 meters. It has a straight thin trunk, covered with olive-gray bark. The crown is wide and branched, irregular in shape, in diameter can reach two meters. The branches of the lemon are thin, the bark is green, there are small thorns. They consistently (one per node) are smooth, shiny leaves with a bright green color. Their shape is oval with a sharp tip and small notches along the edge.
Five-petalled flowers, with a pleasant smell, collected from inflorescences. On the outside they are pale pink, and on the inside they are pure white. After pollination, about six months later, small golden yellow fruits appear. They have an ovoid shape, have a thin peel having an oily surface. The pulp is juicy, exudes a pleasant aroma and has a sweet and sour taste. The thickness of the peel of Tashkent lemon is only 0.2 - 0.5 cm and consists of two layers: the outer, flaved, and the inner, albedo. The root system is superficial, consists of numerous and highly branching roots.
The variety belongs to dessert and dining rooms, has medium transportability, has a high tasting rating, and is attractive in appearance.
Lemon indoors
It is quite possible to grow it in an apartment or on a balcony. The most important growth factors are:
- Lighting - the windows in the room where the tree grows should face east.
- Temperature - 18 - 20 degrees. Indoor lemon dies at -7 degrees, but during the rest period it is kept at a temperature of about 10 degrees.
- Humidity - 60%.
- Crown formation is an essential condition for fruiting.
One of the best varieties for growing in the apartment is considered a high-yielding lemon variety "Tashkent". He does not lose his qualities even in low light.
Features of growing indoors
For cultivation, the following rules must be observed:
- The soil is slightly acidic. It can be prepared independently, taking two parts of sod land and humus and one part of river sand.
- Watering - use well-defended water. In summer, watering is carried out twice a day - in the morning and in the evening. The pot must have good drainage so that the water does not stagnate.
- Lighting - a change in lighting, as well as the environment, adversely affects the lemon - it discards leaves, flowers and fruits. In winter, additional artificial lighting is required.
- Humidity - where lemons grow, there should be warm and humid air. The plant must often be sprayed from a spray bottle, and in winter, put a container of water on the battery.
- Crown formation - periodically turn the pot around the axis by 1 - 2 cm, timely pruning under the fourth young leaf on the shoot.
- In spring and summer, fertilize with mineral fertilizers.
During flowering and fruit ripening, the plant is not recommended to be disturbed, and for good care, he will thank 4-6 ripe fruits.
Propagation by cuttings
The lemon tree is constantly being formed. All cut branches of Tashkent lemon serve as planting stock. To do this, remove a couple of leaves from below and put the shoot into the water until the roots appear.
Then transplanted into a substrate. When the plant grows by 25 cm, the top is nipped at it. At the grown tree, no more than four shoots are left, which are also cut off when they reach a length of 25 cm. This bush formation is carried out twice. After a sufficient amount of foliage has grown and flower buds are planted, the plant is ready for fruiting.
Seed propagation
How does lemon grow from seeds? Reproduction from the seeds is a very long process, and lovers of indoor plants usually do not use it.
The grown seedling develops for a long time, sparsely blooms and has poor quality fruits. To get a full-fledged fruiting lemon tree, you need to be vaccinated. And this procedure requires certain knowledge. A plant without grafting will simply be an ornamental shrub that is also trimmed to form a beautiful crown.
Pests
A plant can die not only from poor care of it, but also from pests. The most common include:
- Spider mite. It is necessary to constantly monitor that small insects do not appear on the surface of lemon leaves. For preventive purposes, a plant is sprayed with water once a week. But if it was not possible to save from a tick, then it is treated with a soap solution. To prepare it, take three grams of grated laundry soap and dilute in a liter of warm water. Then, covering the ground with cellophane, rinse the plant under running water.
- Shield. Sucking to the leaf, the insect eats its juice, after which it turns yellow, curls and falls off. The lemon stops growing, the branches become bare, and then it dies. You can detect the pest by brown spots on the leaves. For preventive purposes, a regular inspection and constant spraying with water should be carried out. To combat use a mixture of alcohol solution with liquid soap. 15 g of soap and 10 ml of industrial alcohol are added per liter of water.
When aphids or thrips appear, use a tincture of garlic. To do this, grind 2 cloves, fill with a liter of water, insist for a day, filter and process the leaves with a cotton swab.
Useful properties of Tashkent lemon
A lemon tree growing at home releases volatile substances into the air. They beneficially affect a person, killing pathogenic microbes and bacteria, thereby purifying the air.
The pulp and zest contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals necessary for the normal functioning of the body. In addition, the fruits contain a lot of fiber, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the intestine.
Conclusion
Growing lemons at home is a long and painstaking process. Firstly, you need to have a fairly spacious room with high ceilings and good lighting. Secondly, this tree requires more attention than many other indoor flowers. But if you can wait until the plant blooms and real fruits appear, then all the trouble will pay off with interest.