In this article we are going to focus specifically on what a lemon tree fertilization plan would look like, with the main lemon tree fertilizers found on the market.
We will distribute what is called basic fertigation, that is, supplying the nutrients that the lemon tree needs at each stage of development, as well as a general recommendation of biostimulants and complementary applications to improve productivity and plant health of this citrus fruit.
If you still don’t know how to plant a lemon tree, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to controlling planting, irrigation, and pest and disease control.
Contents
How to Distribute Fertilizer for Lemon Trees at Each Stage
Throughout its season, the lemon tree goes through different phases of development before producing fruit and ripening it. Roughly, the phenology of this tree is distributed as follows:
- Budding: new stems with new leaves are produced and may coincide with fruit on the tree.
- Bloom: the buds swell and white flowers appear on the tree.
- Fruit set: the buds pollinate and produce small fruits.
- Fruit fattening: stage that covers the filling of the fruit, with a large consumption of water and nutrients.
- Fruit ripening: the fruits change color from green to lemon, slowing their increase in size.
We will distribute the load and type of fertilizer for lemon trees depending on the growth phasesince we cannot do it for months because there are different varieties that develop and are harvested at different stages (example Fino and Verna variety, the best known within the lemon tree).
| Stage of development | NPK fertilizer | litre/ha |
| From budding to fruit set (3 months) | NPK 12-4-6 | 400-700 L/ha |
| Initial fruit fattening (2 months) | NPK 5-2-8 (1.5 Ca) | 600-1200 L/ha |
| Fattening and fruit ripening (4 months) | NPK 3-2-8 (0.5 Ca) | 1000-2000 L/ha |
Depending on the expected production and the development of the trees, the minimum, average or maximum dose will be chosen.
In addition to the supply of this NPK and calcium, the nutrition is supplemented, according to soil and water analysis, with magnesium. It is also important to continuously supply a micronutrient complex, with particular emphasis on iron, zinc and manganese.
If you have any questions about the role that different nutrients play in the lemon tree, see the following link:
read more: role of nutrients in citrus fruits.
The cause of chlorosis in this culture may be due to a lack of nitrogen, magnesium, zinc, manganese or iron. In our article we teach you to recognize each deficiency of the lemon tree.
Special fertilizer for lemon trees
With the Lemon Tree Fertilizer Table previous we have the base to feed with the base of all the nutrients. However, in professional agriculture it is common to carry out complementary foliar applicationsusing those called biostimulants or supplementing the needs of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium or microelements that we have not introduced in fertigation.
We are going to do a brief review of it as a supplement to fertilizers for lemon trees.
- Amino acids: Indicated to provide energy and promote germination, flowering and growth of fruits. They are usually used at a dose of 200-300 cc/hl (100 liters of water).
- Seaweed: They are used for their content of natural phytohormones and for their contribution of alginic acid and mannitol (polyols with biostimulant action). Its application is particularly recommended before flowering and in the phases of fruit enlargement. They are applied in doses of 200-300 cc/hl (100 liters of water). Algae are generally used Ecklonia Maxima for flowering and for fattening, Gnarled Ascophyllum.
- Glycine-Betaine: In times of drought and high summer temperatures, the use of this compound increases the hydration of the cells and reduces the thermal stress of the crop which, depending on the situation, can cause the fruit to fall to the ground. It is applied at a dose of 3-8 L/ha.
- Humic extracts: contribution to the soil, improve the organic matter content of the soil, increase the absorption of nutrients and stimulate the development of beneficial microbiology for the lemon tree. They are applied at doses of 5 to 10 L/ha every 2 to 3 weeks throughout the crop cycle, especially at the most critical times.
Potted Lemon Tree Fertilizer
If we move on to home gardening, it is quite common to enjoy a lemon tree or any other smaller citrus fruit, such as limequat, grown in a container.
The fertilizer schedule for container grown lemon trees is not that technical, and it will suffice to use a complete granular fertilizer with a ratio of 2-1-2.5 or so, to keep the germination part in perfect balance with the production part.
A recommendation of this fertilizer, to be added in doses of 50-100 grams per jar every 30 days is next, an NPK 12-8-16 with a slow nitrogen release and micronutrient boost.
discounts
COMPO Novatec Universal Fertilizer Blue, 5 kg
- NPK complex fertilizer (Mg+S) 12 + 8 + 16 (+3+25) with magnesium and sulfur + microelements + nitrification inhibitor, Ideal for all types of ornamental plants, shrubs, green plants, roses, citrus fruits, etc.
- The professional technology with the nitrification inhibitor (DMPP) ensuring the stability of nitrogen in the soil, guarantees the maximum use of nutrients in the plants and a more abundant flowering. Subscription up to 8 weeks available
- Improved formula, with less phosphorus. Eco-friendly
- COMPO quality: raw materials selected according to the original COMPO recipe, Strict quality controls by independent laboratories and institutes, The best conditions for healthy plant growth
- Contents: 1 x COMPO Novatec universal blue fertilizer, 5 kg
You can also add biostimulant to this potted lemon tree to improve its appearance, such as amino acids or algae, mainly.