How to Grow Lemons Hydroponically
- 1). Fill the bottom of the container with pebbles or gravel to a depth of 1 to 2 inches. This will facilitate better drainage so the roots can dry out between watering.
- 2). Add several additional inches of the peat and vermiculite mixture. Make sure that several inches of depth remain in the container for when you add the remainder of the mixture.
- 3). Rinse the roots of the young lemon tree, removing all the soil. Be careful not to damage the roots. Place the tree in the pot on top of the peat and vermiculite and spread out the roots.
- 4). Cover the roots with the remainder of the vermiculite and peat to a depth of several inches (depending on the size of your tree). Make sure that the material keeps the tree stable.
- 5). Install three drip emitters from your hydroponic system in the container. Set up the system to initially deliver a half-strength Hoagland solution. This solution is a standard formula with specific ratios of nutrients and is available for purchase in many hydroponic supply sources. As the tree begins to grow, gradually increase the solution's concentration to full strength.
- 6). Install the grow lights above the tree. Lemons are tropical plants and expect a lot of light, so set the lights up to provide 12 to 16 hours of illumination daily.
- 7). Keep the tree's growth area between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Although lemon trees are tropical, they do not need or benefit from excessive heat.
- 8). Allow the tree to grow for a few years before expecting fruit. Dwarf lemon trees take anywhere from three to five years from germination to produce fruit, so if you purchase an older tree, you will get fruit sooner. When the plant has reached three years of age and starts flowering, pollinate the tree by gently rubbing pollen from the stamens into the flowers themselves. This will encourage fruit production.
- 9). Harvest the fruits as they ripen.
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