Lemon is a very important ingredient in most cuisines as it enhances the flavor of a dish and can make it special.

But did you know that this fruit is not only delicious, but also very healthy? If this information is new to you, keep reading and you will definitely be shocked!

Eating just a few slices of lemon every day can be life-saving!

In this article, I tried to collect all the health benefits of using lemons - from head to heels!

21 health benefits of lemon you should know about

Improves hair growth. Rinsing your hair with water and lemon juice can help you improve blood flow to the hair roots and fight hair loss (it will also help your hair become healthy and shiny). Plus, its mild natural acid will fight dandruff as well. Relieves fever and fever. You just need to drink a glass of lemon juice, which will increase sweating, as a result of which the increased body temperature will decrease. In addition, even just a cup of tea with lemon will be very useful in the heat. Helps you stay calm and helps fight insomnia. Lemon fruits contain potassium, which can help relieve mental stress and depression. The use of lemon oil in aromatherapy promotes good and sound sleep.

Buy indoor lemon tree

Throat infections, flu and colds can be cured. Thanks to the antibacterial properties of lemon fruit, drinking homemade lemonade or adding a few drops of lemon juice to your meal can help relieve sore throat and flu symptoms. It is useful to gargle with a mixture of the juice of one lemon, 1 glass of water and a teaspoon of sea salt, 3 times a day and a sore throat will not cause you any more problems. Stops nosebleeds. Simply put a couple of drops of lemon juice on a piece of cloth or cotton wool and place it in your nose. Increases concentration. By inhaling lemon oil (in aromatherapy), you can become more alert and increase concentration and brain activity - at home or at work. Improves the condition of the teeth. To relieve suffering from toothaches, apply a few drops of lemon juice to the sore gum area. Also, applying a few drops to the gums when the gums are bleeding can stop it. Lemons even prevent tongue inflammation. Take a closer look at toothpaste that contains lemon extract to get rid of plaque, bad breath (even after garlic or alcohol), and to keep your mouth healthy. Helps maintain heart health, heals heart strokes. The large amount of potassium in lemon relaxes the body's systems, so it can relieve stress and depression, which have a negative effect on the heart. Lemons are very helpful in treating problem skin. Lemon not only helps the skin stay healthy, maintains a youthful and fresh look, but also fights acne or eczema. Its alkaline nature helps to kill bacteria on the skin and therefore prevents acne and pimples. Pay attention to soaps and shower gels sold in stores that contain lemon extracts - they also have antibacterial effects. Fights respiratory problems. Due to the fact that lemons contain a lot of vitamin C, this fruit will help in the fight against the symptoms of various respiratory diseases and asthma. Has a positive effect on digestion, can cure constipation. Lemon fruit juice is an excellent cleanser. So just add a few drops of squeezed lemon juice to your meal during meals to help your stomach, or have a glass of homemade lemonade. Lemon water can also prevent dehydration, which is caused by diarrhea. Promotes weight loss. As I said before, lemon is a great cleanser. Therefore, it speeds up digestion and helps the body burn excess fat more quickly. Prevents diabetes. Lemon raises the level of good cholesterol in the body, which is why it helps in the prevention of diabetes. Maintains the health of the urinary tract, fights kidney stones. Lemon promotes the formation of urinary citrate, which prevents the formation of harmful crystals in the body. Doctors say that drinking lemon juice with olive oil (!) Is the best prevention of kidney stones. Helps the immune system work. The antibacterial action of lemon helps the body fight various diseases and disorders, therefore, has a great effect on the immune system as well. Fights cancer. Lemons can help prevent interruptions in the metabolic processes in your body's cells, so this fruit will help you prevent certain types of cancer, such as breast or prostate cancer. Helps in the fight against rheumatism, as well as for the prevention of varicose veins. The antibacterial properties of lemon and the nutrients it contains help to flush out the toxins and bacteria in the body that cause rheumatism. Helps relieve high blood pressure. Drinking lemon juice increases your potassium intake, so the body will be more relaxed - depression and stress will have less effect on the body. Helps to relieve conditions of affected skin such as burns and insect bites such as bees and mosquitoes. Lemon is a great cooling agent, so applying a few slices of lemon to damaged skin can relieve pain and speed up healing. Helps to care for the feet and fights fatigue. The characteristic antiseptic properties of lemon combat leg pain and various problems such as rough skin and calluses. Drink lemon juice to relieve tiredness. Effective stain remover. The characteristic citric acid will help get rid of greasy stains on white clothes. Just put a drop of lemon juice on the stain as soon as you notice it and let it work for a few minutes, then dip the thing in the water. If it is a delicate fabric, use only a couple of drops of lemon juice and leave it to act for only half a minute.

Yellow facts, non-acidic details. 8 reasons to drop everything and buy a few kilos of citrus fruits.

Lemon has an interesting story. Even in ancient times, the Egyptians invented the first lemonade, mixing mint, lemons and barley in the shade of the pyramids. But in Europe for a long time they were grown for decorative purposes. Lemon can be found everywhere today. It is added to hot and cold dishes, salads, drinks, and is used in cosmetology and medicine. So let's talk about the yellow king of citrus in more detail.

Did you know that the emperor Nero was panicky afraid that he would be poisoned, and therefore every day he ate lemons - they were considered an effective antidote?

1. Lemon cures colds. Once upon a time, English sailors were given grog, a mixture of tea and lemon juice. It seems that a more delicious remedy for colds has not yet been invented. The old method is better than ever.

2. He gives beauty. Lemon water whitens and softens the skin of the face, and juice strengthens the nail plate. It is used in a mixture with whipped egg white, glycerin and cologne to get rid of freckles, age spots, and rejuvenate the skin of the face. For cosmetic purposes, lemon is added to the composition of hair balms, creams, lotions, used for the preparation of lotions and masks for the care of various types of skin.

3. It kills bacteria. In ancient times, hands were washed with lemon water to protect themselves from various infections and infections. They drank less concentrated water in order to protect themselves from intestinal infections. Lemon has these properties thanks to vitamin C, which improves the ability of the body's immune system to resist infections. Therefore, the use of lemons is recommended for all types of infectious, viral and bacterial diseases.

4. He disinfects the room. Lemon is often grown at home for decorative purposes. In the city, you can even find pots with this plant already with fruits on the branches. On the one hand, it is beautiful, but did you know that it also disinfects the air in the room? Therefore, growing lemons as a houseplant is very beneficial.

5. He purifies the blood. Lemons in small quantities should be an essential part of the diet of people suffering from anemia, as this citrus increases the absorption of iron. In case of impaired circulation, the vitamins contained in lemon can improve blood flow. Lemon is able to cleanse and restore blood.

6. It removes kidney stones. We love tea or cold lemon cocktails. When we catch a cold, we sip hot tea with slices of citrus sip after sip. Healthy and tasty, you can't argue. But not everyone knows that the acid in lemon juice is very effective in helping to dissolve kidney stones, or to reduce them in order to facilitate their excretion.

7. It strengthens the nervous system. Lemon essential oil affects the nervous system, stimulates brain activity, improves mood, restores vitality and invigorates in the morning. But the British sailors, who loaded their ships with citrus fruits, did not know this trick at that time. Scientists have discovered this quite recently.

8. It is best when fresh. To get all the benefits of lemon, it is preferable to use it fresh with a drop of honey or a little sprinkle with granulated sugar. Lemon should not be added to hot tea. When it gets into a hot environment, the main amount of vitamins and microelements is destroyed and disappears without a trace.

P.S. While lemon is healthy, in large quantities it can be harmful to children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with low levels of calcium in their bodies. If consumed in large quantities, lemon can also cause allergic reactions. Therefore, be sure to follow the measure.

Do you know how much lemons are in Bishkek now?

Since ancient times, people have known the usefulness of lemon, the fruit was used for fevers, diarrhea, vomiting. Juice disinfected food from poisons, cured diseases of the lungs and gums, soothed pain in arthrosis. They also lowered blood pressure, escaped from snake bites.

Was taken as a means of prevention during epidemics of cholera, malaria, typhoid, plague, treated for jaundice, washed the stomach.

Surprisingly, it is true - despite the fact that lemons have a specific taste, they are loved by many. Other citrus fruits - oranges or tangerines - taste more pleasant, but it is the fruit of the lemon tree that has become a full participant in many dishes and desserts.

The chemical composition of lemons

Lemon contains: potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, zinc, copper, sodium and fluorine. And also vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid, vitamin PP, organic acids, pectin.

Surely you remember that in addition to pulp and zest, lemon has a small white, tasteless layer. Few people know that this nondescript film is the most valuable part of the fruit and a real "storehouse" of vitamin C, as well as bioflavonoids that promote the most complete assimilation of this vitamin.

What are the benefits of lemons for the body

Despite the sour taste, the benefits of lemon are noted for lowering the acidity of gastric juice, improving digestion and appetite. Chefs around the world add a sour miracle to a variety of dishes. Citrus not only improves their taste, but also contributes to the increased production of digestive juices and enzymes, due to which there is a better absorption of nutrients.

Lemon juice is a source of citrine, which, in combination with ascorbic acid, catalyzes redox processes and metabolism in the body. In addition, it strengthens the walls of blood vessels and makes them elastic.

It will also help with:

• with headaches and migraines;
• normalizes blood pressure;
• with dissolution of kidney stones;
• in the treatment of hemorrhoids and constipation.

The fresh scent of lemon oil improves mood, tone and energizes.

In cosmetology, lemon is also irreplaceable - it improves skin color, restores its acid balance. The fruit whitens freckles and age spots, helps heal sunburns and get rid of acne. As part of shampoos, citrus helps to accelerate hair growth.

Why lemon is harmful

With great care, you need to use lemon for people suffering from gastrointestinal diseases. It is known that this citrus whitens teeth and helps with bleeding gums, at the same time, after use, be sure to brush your teeth - it is harmful to tooth enamel.

If there are inflammatory processes in the throat or oral cavity, it is also better to postpone the use of citrus. The acid can cause bleeding of the mucous membrane and slow down its healing.

Allergy sufferers can feel the harm of lemon, so before using, apply a drop of lemon oil or juice to the back of the brush and see the reaction.

Some more interesting and useful information in this video:

How to choose the right lemon

When choosing lemons, pay attention not to the color, but to the condition of the peel. Sunken brownish spots indicate that the fruit was frostbitten during transportation.

India is considered the homeland, which means that citrus loves warmth, and after freezing it will definitely taste bitter. If you find one, don't throw away the citrus. Try boiling water over the whole fruit and use for baking or adding to meals.

If you need it for long-term storage, choose unripe fruits. In a dark, cool place, for example, on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, it can lie for several months. If you are going to use the product right away, buy ripe, firm to the touch and with a shiny, polished rind.

By the way, the Indians, great connoisseurs of lemons, claim that the fruits with a smooth and thin skin were plucked from young trees that gave the first harvest. They are more valuable because they contain a high concentration of nutrients. But in large ones with a thick peel, there are almost no vitamins or nutrients.

There is no specific season when citrus consumption peaks. Lemon is eaten all year round, mixed with tea, sugar or water. The fruit is famous for its accumulation of ascorbic acid, a natural antioxidant and immunostimulant. Therefore, people are interested in the beneficial properties and contraindications of the fruit. Let's talk about them in turn.

Lemon composition

A lot of citric acid is concentrated in the pulp, it is this acid that forms the basis of the fruit. The peel is rich in flavonoids, essential oils, pectin compounds, dietary fiber, glycosides, phytoncides. Of course, most of these substances accumulate in the pulp.

Lemon contains a lot of vitamins. Among them are folic acid, pantothenic acid, vitamin D, tocopherol, thiamine, retinol, pyridoxine, riboflavin, vitamin PP, ascorbic acid and others.

Boron, iron, copper, molybdenum, zinc, fluorine, and manganese are the most valuable trace elements. There are also many macronutrients, among them sulfur, potassium, chlorine, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium and others.

Proteins, carbohydrates and fats are optimally concentrated in lemon. Calorie content of a portion is 100 gr. does not exceed 28 units. The composition accumulates ash, water, organic acids, fiber, poly- and monosaccharides.

Useful properties of lemon

• increases food cravings in people who have recently had an illness or surgery;
• stimulates intestinal motility, improves its microflora;
• cleans the cavity of internal organs from toxins and toxins;
• promotes better absorption of nutrients from food;
• helps with a low immune system to resist viruses;
• invigorates, relieves drowsiness and fatigue;
• normalizes the psycho-emotional environment, fighting the effects of stress;
• whitens nails, strengthens them;
• improves blood composition and circulation;
• used for hair improvement;
• helps to alleviate the course of diabetes;
• relieves gagging with toxicosis in pregnant women;
• cleans the cavity of the blood channels from cholesterol accumulations;
• makes up for the lack of nutrients in case of vitamin deficiency;
• baths with lemon juice whiten feet, eliminate sweating and foot odor;
• acts as a natural antioxidant, prolongs youth.

In addition to the above useful properties, lemon has many more advantages. It is widely used in households to combat unpleasant odors and disinfect various surfaces.

1. The value of citrus lies in the ability to cleanse the blood channels of cholesterol plaques. Thanks to this positive feature, prevention of serious diseases is carried out: atherosclerosis, thrombosis, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis.
2. The product seals the walls of blood channels, makes blood vessels elastic, and promotes rapid healing of hematomas. Lemon thins the blood, enriches cells with oxygen and normalizes the heart rate.
3. Experts who carry out numerous studies in the field of cardiology advise their heart patients to consume lemon to prevent heart attack, bradycardia, tachycardia and other diseases of this kind.
4. Also, the citrus fruit has a diuretic effect. It removes excess fluid from the tissues, on this basis blood pressure is stabilized and the course of hypertension is facilitated. All "cores" suffer from this disease.
5. To cleanse the blood vessels, it is necessary to regularly consume a mixture of garlic and lemon. Mix equal amounts of peeled garlic cloves with citrus and mince. Send 200 gr. mixture in 3 liters. water, insist in the dark for three days. After straining, use 100 ml. three times a day before meals. The course lasts a month.

Benefits of lemon for diabetics

1. With such an ailment as diabetes, the patient suffers from poor absorption of glucose. The body produces its own insulin poorly, as a result of which drug dependence appears. These characteristics are characteristic of stage 1 diabetes.
2. People who have type 2 diabetes have no difficulty in producing insulin. But with such a disease, cells are deprived of receptors that would supply glucose inside. For this reason, all sugar remains in the blood, exacerbating the course of the disease (cells die off).
3. Since the very process of cell death due to lack of glucose affects the heart muscle, the vascular system and the brain, there is a likelihood of complications (gangrene, myocardial infarction, loss of vision, stroke, etc.).
4. For girls who are in a delicate position and have diabetes, it is not necessary to take medications to improve the course of the disease. There is a folk remedy that suits all people, without exception.
5. To prepare it, wash 4 lemons, pass through a meat grinder with zest. Do the same with 400 gr. celery root. Combine, remove the lemon seeds, simmer in a water bath for 1.5-2 hours. Consume for a long time every morning for 30 grams.

The benefits of lemon for gout

1. Gout is a condition in which large amounts of urea accumulate in and around the joints. This acid robs natural lubrication, so when walking, there is a sharp pain in the joints.
2. With gout, the legs constantly swell, a syndrome of heavy limbs appears, excess fluid does not come out of the body badly. To improve your well-being, you need to expel uric acid.
3. Citrus fruits normalize and strengthen the alkaline environment, which breaks down this acid and prevents its re-accumulation. Experts advise to eat lemon every day and use a folk recipe.
4. Mix 50 ml to prepare the product. lemon juice with a glass of water, consume 1.5 hours after a meal. The course lasts half a month. Re-therapy is carried out every 4 months.

Lemon for weight loss

1. A systematic intake of lemon allows you to improve natural metabolism, break down harmful cholesterol and fats, and stabilize blood glucose levels. It is important to understand that citrus will not have any beneficial effect if the diet is not balanced.
2. Fatty foods, various sweets and pastries are not the best helpers in losing weight. Therefore, you should forget about such products in order to achieve the desired result. At the moment, with the help of lemon, you can lose weight by following one of the many methods.
3. To start losing weight, eat right. When you wake up, start your morning by drinking ginger and citrus water. Take the drink throughout the day. Finely grate the ginger root no larger than 4 cm. Wash and chop 1 lemon into wedges.
4. Fill in the components with 2 l. filtered warm water, hot liquid must not be used. Under the influence of high temperature, ascorbic acid is destroyed. Consume the composition and follow the diet. Exercise will not be superfluous.
5. You can consider an alternative way to lose weight. After waking up, drink the juice of 1 lemon diluted with still mineral water. Throughout the day, try to prepare meals that will go well with the zest. To restrain the desire to constantly eat, it is recommended to inhale lemon ether at the moment of the urge. It is enough to take 8 breaths.
6. If we consider more stringent diets, then among them the following can be distinguished. The course lasts 10 days. It is forbidden to eat, you need to drink about 2.5 liters. liquids. The drink is prepared for one serving of 60 ml. lemon juice, 20 ml. wedge syrup and 250 ml. mineral water without gas. Keep in mind that such a diet is allowed in the absence of gastrointestinal ailments.

Lemon to improve vitality
Lemon water is quite a tasty and healthy drink. The systematic intake of raw materials allows you to eliminate lingering headaches, normalize blood pressure, prevent kidney disease and remove toxic compounds and toxins.

To neutralize the increased acidity of the stomach and start the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, you must drink a glass of lemon water after waking up on an empty stomach. To enrich the drink with a valuable vitamin composition, it is recommended to mix flower honey.

Transfer the resulting mass to a heat-resistant container. Pour in 250 ml. hot water. After cooling, mix 15 g to the composition. bee honey. Insist the remedy for about 2-3 hours. Strain and drink before bed.

Lemon for rheumatism
To cope with the disease and alleviate the patient's condition, you need to pass 4 lemons with zest and 3 heads of peeled garlic through a blender.

Fill in the components with 1 liter. hot water. The tool should be infused throughout the day. After that, strain the composition and use 60 g each. three times a day before meals for half an hour.

Lemon for the flu
If you catch a cold or get sick with the flu, you need to scald 1 fruit with the zest with boiling water. Grind the lemon in a blender. Combine the prepared gruel with 100 gr. natural butter and 35 gr. flower honey.

Mix the ingredients thoroughly and let it brew in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Apply the composition as a treat, spreading it over the bread. In cold weather, it is recommended to eat such a dish at least 5 times a day. Give preference to rye or black bread.

Lemon for colds
If you notice that you are starting to get sick, tea with the addition of lemon and ginger will help prevent the process. Chop the food into small pieces and cover with boiling water.

Cook the ingredients over low heat for about 6 minutes. After that, wait until it cools down to an acceptable temperature, drink the drink slowly. It is allowed to add a small amount of honey.

Lemon contraindications

1. Lemon belongs to those types of citrus that cause allergic reactions and individual intolerances in some people. Consider this with frequent use.
2. Citruses are loaded with acid, which can have a negative effect on tooth enamel. The membrane is destroyed, caries is formed.
3. It is forbidden to eat lemon for diseases of the oral cavity, acute sore throat, ulcers and gastritis with high acidity.

Lemon is an extremely healthy citrus for the body. Correct and moderate eating of the fruit will save a person from various diseases and prevent the development of serious pathologies. Consume lemon with extreme caution if you have previously experienced allergic reactions to various foods.

Video: how is lemon useful for the body

I bought it on vacation in Anapa, in 2005. It was a stalk with two cut leaves, rooted in a disposable cup.
Arriving home, I transplanted him. But after the transplant, my lemon did not grow at all, it wintered badly and constantly ...
I was already desperate that this plant would be able to recover. And then I even decided that I would no longer bring the lemon home after my summer stay on the veranda ...

And in 2009 I was again in Anapa and brought from there a small lemon tree.
But what my surprise was when I went to the veranda and saw that my first lemon was all in leaves and blooming!

Now I know about my main mistake in caring for this plant. Lemons should never be rotated. And I, on the contrary, used to always rotate it - I thought that with uniform illumination of the lemon, its crown would be more magnificent ...

As a result, on the veranda, the first lemon did not winter with me, it was just that in the fall I brought it into the house later than all other flowers (in September).
It turned out that before flowering, I left him alone for a while. Haven't rearranged or turned over the lemon pot on the veranda for more than 3 months. So he answered me with lush foliage and flowering ...

Now I have a mark on the pots of lemons (so that, for example, after spraying, I put the pot correctly).
Both lemons grow on the east window, and there is no radiator under this window.

Some indoor plant lovers have adapted to growing citrus trees on the windowsill. Lemon is especially popular. Growing lemon at home will not take a lot of energy from the owner.

Growing lemon can be done at home

Lemongrass are native to southern countries with warm and humid climates. Therefore, the main task of the grower is to ensure similar microclimatic conditions in the house or apartment.

Why is lemon grown at home?

There are several advantages to breeding lemon crops at home. The main one is the fragrant healthy fruits that the plant produces annually. In addition, placing a lemon on a windowsill can be an interior decoration.

You can grow lemon at home in a pot or tub. The pot is more suitable for dwarf plant varieties, the tub is useful if a large tree is grown from a stone. With a sufficient amount of heat, moisture and light, indoor lemon can reach one and a half meters in height and produce up to 150 fruits per season. It is very difficult to achieve such results, but taking into account all the features of care, it can still be done.

Another advantage of growing lemon is the beautiful appearance of the tree. He has a dense and always green crown. During the flowering period, the plant throws out beautiful flowers. They are often covered with mighty green leaves. The only exception is the Ponderosa lemon, whose branches are thin and resemble a spreading bush. Despite the external weakness, the twigs can withstand up to 50 fruits. This decorative tree can be grown on a windowsill, since it does not take up much space.

Lemon bush can produce up to 50 fruits

General features of growing lemon at home

Lemon is a thermophilic tree. Lack of heat affects the fact that the plant grows poorly, gets sick or dies. If you decide to put a pot on the window, then you must:

1. Choose south or east side. The plant should receive a lot of sunlight.
2. On sunny days, the tree is placed in the shade, and on cloudy days, it is illuminated with fluorescent lamps.
3. In the summer, take the plant out to the balcony or loggia. There it receives more oxygen and solar energy. And only by the fall it is brought back to its original place. In winter, you should monitor the temperature indicator, which should not fall below 10 degrees.

Special attention should be paid to the quality of the soil and the pot. The fact is that lemons have an individual nutritional system. They get water not through ordinary hairs on the roots, but through fungi in the soil. The connection of the house plant with the mycelium of the fungi is sensitive to external factors. It can be easily disturbed by a lack of oxygen, improper watering and sudden changes in temperature.

Before growing a lemon tree, you should take care of a suitable soil. Plant lemons in loose soil types that are pH neutral. It is best to plant citrus in ready-made soil purchased from a specialized store. If the indoor lemon is placed in a self-made substrate, it is important to take into account the proportions of humus, turf and sand. The soil with meadow turf, leafy soil, humus and sand is also popular.

Mistakes in care lead to the fact that the lemon tree at home dies from aridity or excess moisture, poor living conditions or pests.

Lemon prefers the sunny side of the room

Planting lemon

For small plants, a clay pot is suitable, for large plants it is better to use a wooden tub, which is considered the best option for placing citrus fruits. Natural material allows oxygen to pass better to the lemon roots. Before placing the planting material in the pot, it should be inspected for damage. The planting process itself is simple:

1. The root collar is buried 5 cm deep.
2. The container is filled with soil almost to the very top. Better if there is a space of 1–1.5 cm between the edge of the pot and the soil.
3. After planting, the seedling is sprayed with water and watered with a solution of potassium permanganate.

The planted tree is left on the windowsill. A young plant needs a lot of light and warmth. On hot days, it is better to create partial shade, which will save you from burns. It is not worth changing the place for the pot, the lemon does not like moving. Occasionally, you can turn the tree with darkened leaves towards the sun for even heat.

Lemon seedlings are sprayed with water after planting

Growing lemon from seed

If you decide to germinate a varietal lemon from the seed, you should know the peculiarities of its cultivation. This process takes much longer than planting seedlings. To find out how long it takes for the seeds to germinate, you need to take into account the following features:

1. The sprout breaks out of the soil 2 weeks after planting. Sometimes it takes more time (up to one month).
2. Citrus buds require greenhouse conditions, so the pot with a bone is covered with a cut plastic bottle or wrapped in plastic wrap. Inside such a cap, the humidity is several times higher than in open space, and the transparency of the bottle allows the ascending sprouts to receive sunlight. In a homemade greenhouse, watering should not be overused. The soil already gives off moisture to the allotted space of the greenhouse, so it should only be sprayed.
3. When a small stalk has broken through, it is taught to indoor conditions by removing the greenhouse cap for 1-2 hours a day.
4. Transplanting into a large pot occurs only when 4 leaves appear on the sprout.

Growing lemon in a greenhouse will also work for mature seedlings. With the correct organization of climatic conditions, you can do without it. It is also not worth rushing with feeding.

Until the citrus root system is fully formed, any external additives will be perceived by the tree as poison. It is best to do top dressing in spring or summer, but not earlier than three months from planting.

Growing a lemon from a seed will take quite a long time.

Lemon watering

Growing a lemon at home is not an easy task, often a lemon does not survive for several months. And one of the reasons for this is improper watering. Providing proper home care is essential for the plant to grow healthy and strong. How to properly water

1. Provide moderate watering with settled water once a day. You can water it once twice a day (you need to monitor the condition of the soil).
2. Water the lemon 2 times a week in winter.
3. Drain the accumulated water in the sump immediately after watering. Plant roots can rot from excess moisture.
4. Sprinkle lemon leaves daily with warm water. It is especially important to do this in winter, when the air becomes dry from the operation of heating systems.

Experienced growers advise beginners to find a moisture balance: avoid overflow and lack of moisture. With a lack of it, the leaves of any kind of lemon begin to turn yellow. If watering is not done in a timely manner, the microza and the plant die. If yellowed leaves are detected, the lemon should be sprayed with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

We must not forget about the benefits of a warm shower. Like everything standing motionless in a dwelling, a lemon is covered with a layer of dust and dirt. It should be washed off as dust interferes with the process of photosynthesis. Bathing of the plant is carried out no more than 1 time per month.

Dust should be regularly washed off lemon leaves.

Lemon fertilization

Recommendations on how to care for a lemon also apply to plant nutrition. Citrus fruits are sensitive to fertilizers. The preparations must be constantly changing, because when using one fertilizer, the pH of the soil can change to an acidic or alkaline side. In such soil, lemon does not ripen, it grows for a long time, gets sick and dies. To avoid this, you should:

1. Choose only mineral formulations for fertilization.
2. Apply fertilizers from March to October at intervals of 2-3 weeks. For young plants, it is enough to carry out the procedure once a month and a half.
3. Combine top dressing with watering in the summer.
4. In spring and autumn, feed the plant only after watering. Fertilizer is applied at least 2 hours after the soil is moistened.
5. In winter, fertilize once.

Unlike complex mineral fertilizers, not all organic substances are suitable for lemon. The most effective solution is a weak solution of manure with water (1/6) and an extract from wood ash. A special infusion of birch and quinoa leaves is popular.

Some citrus fruit owners are faced with the problem of flowering. When flowers do not appear on the crown among the ripening leaves, this indicates poor feeding. Why does the plant react this way? The fact is that the lemon does not have enough strength to bear fruit. And a change in fertilizer will help him cope with this problem.

From quinoa, you can prepare an infusion for fertilizing lemon

The importance of pruning

The need for pruning is due to decorative and sanitary features. Its shape and scheme most often depend on the purpose of growing the tree. Small ornamental plants do not need sprawling large branches, so they are cut as much as possible, making the crown compact. For citrus fruits that bear fruit, the rule of balancing branches and shoots applies. The most common pruning method is pinching.

It begins after the lemon has reached the age of one year, with preliminary pruning of the main shoot. It is best to leave 30 cm in length. This is necessary so that the lateral buds on the tree begin to sprout.

Only after the lemon gets stronger and gives new branches, they should be pinched. 3-4 leaves remain on each branch. This pruning method allows the tree to grow strong, able to hold and ripen fully.

It is important to prune old dead branches. The lemon spends its powers on them, but it will not work to revive them. Therefore, it is better to rid the lemon of the extra load. Those shoots that grow inside the crown also lend themselves to pruning. They most often prevent neighboring branches from developing and getting enough sunlight.

Enjoy the ripe lemon fruit grown on your own balcony or windowsill only if the blossoms are properly shaped. Weak immature plants can throw out a large number of flowers in the second year of life. You cannot leave them. The structure of the tree cannot withstand a heavy load, and the lemon will die, giving all its strength to the fruit. To grow a large crop, you should:

1. In the second year of the lemon's life, leave 2 flowers on the whole tree or completely remove the inflorescences.
2. During flowering, carefully monitor the health of the tree, protect it from drafts and carry out all the features of caring for it.
3. Know the rule of forming inflorescences - there should be 10 leaves for 1 fruit. All other ovaries are removed.

Lemon harvest can be expected 4-5 years after planting.

Do not expect high fertility rates from a houseplant. The tree grows and develops very slowly. Any human error can delay the appearance of blooms. You should constantly monitor the condition of the lemon and feed, cut and water it in a timely manner.

Some citrus owners get their first good fruits within 4-5 years. Their number rarely exceeds 5–8 pieces. A larger harvest will have to wait longer. The tree reaches its maturity only by the age of 8–10 years, and at home, the lemon lives up to 40–45 years.

Transplant features

Some citrus owners are faced with the problem of the rapid death of the plant. If its cause depends on watering and fertilization, then the tree suffers from an incorrectly selected pot. Too much capacity causes root rot. It is better to use pots commensurate with the root of the plant and replant the tree only when it becomes cramped. It is best to increase the space gradually, while controlling the growth of the tree's roots.

We must not forget about the proper access of oxygen to the roots. It is better to install the pot on a pallet with a gap so that air can penetrate into the ground. Place a lining of stones or wood under the bottom of the pot.

After transplanting, the citrus is returned to the same place where it stood before. Any change in the environment is bad for the health of the plant. It can hurt and even die. If you want to turn the tree with the darkened side towards the sun, then you should change the angle by no more than 10 degrees. Only in this way will the lemon grow strong and healthy.