Citron
These instructions are sent with the plant gift
This unusual citrus tree (Citrus Medica) is the grandfather of modern citrus produces huge rough skinned lemon like fruits. One of the oldest members of the citrus family they have a lot of fragrant zest but a small fleshy centre.
Citron trees need plenty of light. In the summer, your lemon tree will enjoy a sunny patio outside but in the winter these trees will need to be kept somewhere frost free. When indoors, try to keep your plant away from radiator and under floor heating but they will be happy in a range of temperatures as long as they have plenty of natural daylight.
Because these plants are in a pot they will need regular watering. Once the top of the soil is bone dry, remove the plant from its outer container. Place the plant outside or in the sink, water the soil thoroughly from the top until excess water drains freely right through the pot and out of the bottom, always allow all the excess water to drain away from the plant before putting it back in its normal position. Sometimes if the soil is very compact this may take several watering’s. In the winter you should expect to water thoroughly once every 7-14 days, but always let the top of the soil dry between watering. In the hottest summer months, you may need to water as often once a day, but never stand your plant in water.
It’s best to allow the soil to try out completely between waterings but if the leaves start to droop or curl you know it is thirsty, so water straight away. From April until September, citrus trees will benefit from summer citrus feed once a week to encourage growth, in the winter you would need to swap to winter citrus feed to help with flower and fruit production, this is used from October until March every other watering.
Citron trees grow quite slowly; if you need to, repot in the spring in citrus compost. Citrons tend to bear fruit around October but in this country they can also fruit or flower at any point during the year. The fragrant flowers will give way to small green fruit that will slowly swell and ripen to a bright yellow.
