Happy Urban Dirt

Have you ever heard of sweet lemons? This is a citrus variety that has a long tradition in our country, but which has gradually become forgotten. So much so that today few devote themselves to its cultivation.

However, the lemon tree that produces this fruit is straightforward to care for and it can be incorporated into both the orchard and the garden. In fact, it is one of those trees that is perfect for planting in a pot, so you can place it in any corner of your house. Let’s get to know him a little better!

What exactly is a sweet lemon?

This is quite a general term that we utilize to refer to the so-called citrus hybrids with pulp with a low level of acidity. To put it simply, we’re talking about lemons that don’t meet the fruit’s most distinguishing characteristic: sourness.

For them, the opposite happens than what we expect when opening a lemon, because its pulp turns out to be sweet. So the ideal is take it as you would any other fruit. And we won’t be able to utilize it for other uses that we give to sour lemon, e.g. seasoning salads or other dishes.

Its consistency is also slightly different from that provided by classic lemon, so trying it turns out to be so an experience for the senses.

A species threatened with extinction

The history of sweet lemons in Spain is not entirely clear. This variation is known to have existed introduced to the peninsula by Muslims between the 10th and 12th centuries. Historical records of this fruit were found in the 18th century, but since then it has been forgotten.

Including As many as three varieties of sweet lemon trees are grown in the Guadalhorce Valleybut the production does not reach the distribution chain because it is not a fruit that is in demand in our country.

To this day, those who cultivate this tree do it more to maintain the tradition than because they really earn something from it.

Internationally, this fruit has also had no better luck. Is a sweet lemon plant known as Ujukitsu, which is native to Japan (is a hybrid of grapefruit and mandarin), and its fruit became known in the United States as “lemonade fruit”because of its sweet taste.

In the United States, this variety was propagated by the USDA Rio Farm, but the facility was closed in the early 1980s and sweet lemons fell out of favor.

Characteristics of sweet lemons

This is a tree It can reach up to 8 meters in height, although the Ujukitsu variety we talked about earlier is more of a plant and measures between 0.5 and 1 meter elevated. However, even its largest variety, It can be grown to a smaller size if proper pruning is done.

It is a tree that is characterized by having acdense foil formed at the base of irregular branches. Its bark is white wood with a grayish color and you have to be careful when handling it because the tree has difficult thorns.

In the spring he has some white flowers about three centimeters wide which have a good aroma. They will produce fruit that ripens from autumn to winter in places with toasty temperatures.

As for the fruit, it has a pear-like shape. With a thicker and more wrinkled skin than a sour lemon.

Planting and caring for sweet lemons

This tree can be planted by seed, but it is also possible transplant one of its branches onto another lemon tree. In any case, the care that needs to be provided is very similar to that required by any other citrus tree.

lemon tree prefers toasty temperatures and loves direct sun for at least six hours a day.

It can be planted directly into the ground, although to control its growth it is better to place it in a huge pot.

An vital fact to remember is this you can eat sweet lemons indoors if you live in a cool place. Of course, try to place the pots in a place where the plants receive all the natural featherlight they need to grow.

He the soil must be well drained, because this tree does not tolerate watering its roots well and may start to rot. If you have it in a pot, make sure the holes in it are huge enough to drain excess water.

Irrigation and fertilization

As for watering frequency, they should be watered frequently in spring and summer, three to four times a week. But remember what we said about the flood. It is better to water more days and apply a moderate amount of water each time than to water less frequently and apply much more water each time.

In the fall and winter, if you are in an area that receives regular rain, you can allow the tree to continue its normal life cycle using only this water. However, if you see that it is not raining, water it from time to time, even if it is the middle of winter.

A little fertilizer will make your sweet lemons even prettier and produce more fruit. In this case, simply fertilize three times a year: spring, summer and autumn. The amount depends on the condition of the tree, but make sure it is nutrient-rich compost.

If you take good care of this plant, you will have a tree at home that will give you fruit that will surprise you with its taste and many beneficial properties. I assure you that you will not be able to resist the charm of this place sweet lemons. Are you lucky to have one at home? Tell us in the comments!