• Meyer lemon trees produce attractive and delicious fruit.Allison Michael Orenstein/Photodisc/Getty Images
  
  The Meyer lemon tree (Citrus meyeri) is not a true lemon, but rather a hybrid of a lemon and a mandarin orange. It is a small tree, attaining a mature height between 6 and 10 feet. It is adored for its sweet, juicy, thin-peeled fruit. The Meyer lemon is also known as the Chinese dwarf lemon. It bears fruit year round, most prolifically between the months of December and April.
  
  

Meyer Lemon History

• Beijing, China: the birthplace of the Meyer lemon.beijing by night image by QiangBa DanZhen from Fotolia.com
  
  In the early 20th century, the U.S. Department of Agriculture sent explorer and botanist Frank N. Meyer on an expedition to collect useful plants from around the globe. In 1908 Meyer encountered a small lemon tree with deep golden fruit flourishing as an ornamental plant in Peking (now Beijing), China. He brought it back with him to the United States, where it later bore his name.
  
  Upon introduction to the U.S., the Meyer lemon began to be cultivated by citrus farmers in California, Texas and California. However, it did not attain the same level of commercial success as other citrus varieties, as its thin skin made it more difficult to pack and ship.
  
  In the 1960s, a virus carried by Meyer lemons nearly eradicated the species in California, and wreaked havoc on the state's entire citrus industry. Meyer lemons gained some popularity as a culinary ingredient in the 1990s after being promoted by Martha Stewart.
  
  

Growing Meyer Lemons

• Meyer lemon trees are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture growing zones 8b through 10. They can also be grown indoors in containers. In either outdoor or indoor growing conditions, Meyer lemons need as much sunlight as possible. Full sun is ideal, as is soil with good drainage. Meyer lemons are more cold-hardy than other lemons, withstanding the occasional drop below freezing. They do not, on the other hand, thrive in the tropics. Meyer lemon tree matures quickly, producing their first fruit within the first four years of life. It may be helpful to fertilize a Meyer lemon tree three times a year with a slow-release organic citrus fertilizer.
  
  

Using Meyer Lemons

• Meyer lemons are a sweet alternative to conventional lemons.lemon pie image by Marc Grandmaison from Fotolia.com
  
  Meyer lemons and their juice may be substituted for regular lemon juice in any recipe. They provide a sweet alternative the acidic bite of their sour cousins.
  
  Meyer lemons are often used to flavor chicken and fish. They also make wonderful desserts like Meyer lemon bars, Meyer lemon pie and Meyer lemon souffle. Meyer lemonade is also a refreshing summertime favorite.