If you like to experiment and find ways of propagation other than seeds, stem cuttings and grafting, then in this article you can learn how to grow lemon and other citrus fruits from leaves. Do you think it is possible to grow lemon trees from leaves? Well yes, here is a detailed tutorial to achieve this miracle!
Contents
How to grow lemon trees from leaves?
The best time to start this lemon tree growing trial from leaves is when the weather is warm enough and slightly humid after the start of the season. spring and during summer.
1. Take the leaves of a healthy lemon tree
Take 8-10 leafy green leaves with petioles. Wash them well and clean off accumulated dust to avoid any risk of fungal infestation.
The idea of taking multiple sheets is to increase the chance of spread. If one leaf does not root, the others will.
2. Prepare culture medium
Take a 15cm diameter container or a pot with drainage holes in the bottom, and fill it with coarse river sand and a little garden soil.
You can also use normal soil. However, the gritty texture of the sand will promote faster rooting of the leaves.
3. Plant the leaves
Plant the leaves in the container by gently tucking them into the sides of the bowl/pot. Position them so that the petiole is completely buried in the growing medium. Avoid burying the leaves too deeply, just bury the small stem and a small leaf.
4. Water well
After planting, water the growing medium so you don’t spill it or disturb the leaves. Make sure not to let the growing medium dry out completely.
Keep the container in a place that receives 3-4 hours of direct sunlight. Lemon leaves need warmth and humidity to root properly, at least above 15°C.
You can also cover the pot with plastic wrap or keep it in a greenhouse.
5. Growth of new roots
Continue to water the growing medium and continue to provide bright light for 4-6 hours. You will see the leaves develop a clump of roots in 30-60 days. It is a long process and you will have to wait.
6. Plant the roots
Wash the roots with water to remove the remains of sand. This will also free them from fungal or bacterial growth, ensuring successful propagation.
Fill a pot with a well-draining growing medium. Mix equal parts potting soil, sand and peat moss for the perfect texture and essential nutrients.
Dip the sprouted roots in a rooting hormone (if desired), then place the leaves on the surface of the soil as shown in the image above. Don’t bury the roots in the middle.
7. Cover it up
The trick to growing lemon trees from leaves is in this step. Cover the roots with coffee grounds or tea leaves, as citrus fruits prefer slightly acidic soil to grow healthy fruit.
Tea leaves are rich in phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, and other trace vitamins that will boost plant growth, while adding a healthy dose of acidic compounds to the soil.
- To note: You can also just cover with normal soil.
8. Moisten the soil
Spray enough water to make sure it seeps down to the roots. You will need to keep the medium a little moist for the first few months until the lemon roots are well established in the ground.
9. Watch how it grows
After 2 months, new shoots will emerge from the roots. At this point, you can continue to grow the leaves in a single large pot or transfer them to individual pots, following the rule of one plant per pot.
conclusion
Growing lemon trees from leaves has been practiced by many YouTubers and gardeners. If you love trying new things in gardening, this little experiment won’t hurt. If you have already done it or if you are about to do it, please comment.
Articles to complete this reading:
How to grow a lemon tree in a container and its maintenance
Guide to growing the Lemon tree from seeds and by grafting
How to grow a lemon tree from cuttings (stems)
How to Maintain a Four Seasons Lemon Tree
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