Q. When is the proper time
to prune Meyer lemon? We have a large crop of lemons ripening now. The tree is
very dense and the fruit is on the outside perimeter of the tree. Last time I
pruned it in January or February and had no fruit that year. Can I do it now in
September or wait until October or November?
A. Meyer lemon, not a true
lemon, is usually harvested in December or possibly as late as early January.
But do not harvest it later than this. Harvesting time is your signal for
pruning. Waiting longer than this can possibly remove fruit during that growing
season.
lemon, is usually harvested in December or possibly as late as early January.
But do not harvest it later than this. Harvesting time is your signal for
pruning. Waiting longer than this can possibly remove fruit during that growing
season.
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| Meyer lemon grown in protected culture in Afghanistan. |
Prune immediately after harvest. Do not delay harvesting
the fruit or this can confuse the tree about when to flower again and may affect
the quality of the fruit.
the fruit or this can confuse the tree about when to flower again and may affect
the quality of the fruit.
It is strange your Meyer lemons are ripening now. Fruit
can take nearly 11 months to mature. Harvest the fruit when sugar in the fruit
reaches a minimum of 10 Brix. Brix is measured with a refractometer. It’s
handier to taste the fruit and see if it’s ready. When it is sweet, harvest it.
can take nearly 11 months to mature. Harvest the fruit when sugar in the fruit
reaches a minimum of 10 Brix. Brix is measured with a refractometer. It’s
handier to taste the fruit and see if it’s ready. When it is sweet, harvest it.
 |
| Refractometer |
Citrus is not pruned much, only to remove crossed or
broken branches. You could remove a few limbs too close together which would allow
more light inside the tree canopy. Probably removing 3 or 4 limbs would be
enough.
broken branches. You could remove a few limbs too close together which would allow
more light inside the tree canopy. Probably removing 3 or 4 limbs would be
enough.
 |
| Citrus response to pruning cuts |
Make sure the pruning saw or loppers has been sanitized
and sharpened before pruning. Do not leave any stubs unless you want regrowth
from them.
and sharpened before pruning. Do not leave any stubs unless you want regrowth
from them.