Probably not the right N/G since we are in New Zealand, but the closest I
can find quickly....

We have just bought a new house with a lemon tree in the garden. However it
only produces very pithy, dry lemons (though lots of them). What can I do to
improve the quality of the crop??

I have tried a heavy dose of fertiliser (citrus mix) and put more water into
the root zone, but response is slow at best.

Our climate is cool - summer up to 25 degrees, winter down to -5, but it is
in a very sheltered area right under the house. The soil is a loose friable
silt.


TIA
Tony

"Tony Simpson" wrote in message
...
Probably not the right N/G since we are in New Zealand, but the closest I
can find quickly....

We have just bought a new house with a lemon tree in the garden. However
it
only produces very pithy, dry lemons (though lots of them). What can I do
to
improve the quality of the crop??

I have tried a heavy dose of fertiliser (citrus mix) and put more water
into
the root zone, but response is slow at best.

Our climate is cool - summer up to 25 degrees, winter down to -5, but it
is
in a very sheltered area right under the house. The soil is a loose
friable
silt.

Pick lemons, it sounds like!

Surely if you left all the apples on an apple tree, you'd expect a lot of
dry, small fruits... why should lemons be any different?

I never thought before that alluvial soil should ever cause problems, and
fertility sounds like the least likely one, but maybe its sedimentary nature
makes it prone to be free draining in the summer? With a vegebed, one could
incorporate manure but with a tree, I don't know what. Maybe do one side at
a time (different years) in case you smash up the roots too much.

I'm impressed that someone's grown a lemon tree in what sounds like a UK
climate. Mine died when they were 6 inches tall and about 13 months old
iirc!

Follow the link : http://www.citruscentre.co.uk/ they are very knowledgeable
about everything citrus, and I'm sure they wouldn't mind answering your
questions.

Simon

"Tony Simpson" wrote in message
...
Probably not the right N/G since we are in New Zealand, but the closest I
can find quickly....

We have just bought a new house with a lemon tree in the garden. However
it
only produces very pithy, dry lemons (though lots of them). What can I do
to
improve the quality of the crop??

I have tried a heavy dose of fertiliser (citrus mix) and put more water
into
the root zone, but response is slow at best.

Our climate is cool - summer up to 25 degrees, winter down to -5, but it
is
in a very sheltered area right under the house. The soil is a loose
friable
silt.


TIA
Tony