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Growing citrus crops at home begins with choosing the right variety. Panderosa lemon is especially popular among citrus growers; its characteristic feature is the stable production of large fruits, which, among other things, have a strong lemon aroma.
Description of lemon
The name of the variety comes from the Spanish word “panderosa”, which means heavy or large-fruited. The history of selection of this hybrid has not been fully studied. Most citrus growers believe that Panderosa is a hybrid obtained by natural crossing of wild varieties of citrus crops. It is believed that the variety appeared at the end of the 19th or beginning of the 20th centuries.
The second theory of origin is associated with the name of the American gardener Bauman. It is believed that it was he who bred this hybrid in his own nursery. Later, Panderosa lemon began to be grown in the United States of America, and then spread throughout Europe.
Character traits:
- The Panderosa lemon bush can reach 1.5 m. The crown is made up of green shiny leaves. They have the shape of an elongated circle with pointed tips.
- The fruits of the Panderosa variety can grow from 500 g to 1000 g. The yellow peel of the fruit is covered with small tubercles.The pulp of the fruits of the Panderosa variety is characterized as juicy, with pronounced sourness. There are several dozen seeds per fruit.
- Panderosa lemon flowers can appear 2 - 3 times within 1 year. They are large, white, with a yellow center; at the tips of the petals they can acquire a pink tint.
In breeding practice, there is the concept of “Panderosa syndrome”: it refers to the abundant flowering of a tree, which can cause weak fruiting. The tree's energy is spent on the formation of buds and long-term flowering.
If the necessary maintenance conditions are met, the Panderosa variety can begin to bear fruit in the 2nd – 3rd year of existence.
With age, the light gray peel of the main trunk acquires spines. A similar mechanism makes the Panderosa lemon variety similar to its wild ancestors.
The Panderosa lemon variety is considered unpretentious and capable of growth and development in any conditions. The only requirement of the tree concerns the temperature regime with accompanying air humidity indicators.
The Panderosa tree needs additional support. This is due to the heaviness of large-sized fruits. Branches cannot always support such weight on their own, without support.
Ordinary soil is not suitable for Panderosa lemon; the Panderosa variety needs loose, light soil with a basic set of nutrients.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantages of this variety:
- compact size;
- the Panderosa bush is not spreading, which allows it to be grown in small spaces;
- large fruits with a characteristic lemon taste;
- can be a rootstock for other varieties;
- undemanding to living conditions;
- has an impressive appearance.
The Panderosa variety has few disadvantages, but they all relate to the characteristics of the fruit:
- a large number of seeds;
- Due to their weight, most fruits do not have time to ripen on the branches and fall off.
Reproduction methods
Panderosa lemon can be propagated in one of 3 ways: cuttings, seeds, scion.
Cuttings - this method has proven to be the most effective. It helps bring fruiting closer. Panderosa lemon is propagated in the spring; the method includes several successive steps:
- A cutting is cut from the selected plant; for this, a semi-lignified branch up to 10 cm long and 5 mm in diameter is selected. There should be 2 - 3 live buds on the cuttings. The cut is made above or below one of the buds.
- The cuttings are treated with a root biostimulator.
- To root a Panderosa lemon cutting, place it in water or use moistened soil. If you choose the second option, the depth should not exceed 2 - 3 cm.
- To create a greenhouse effect and speed up the rooting process, cover the container with the cuttings with plastic wrap.
- After the roots appear, the lemon is transplanted into a small container and placed on the windowsill.
- The seedling at this stage requires a temperature of at least +20 °
- When real leaves appear, the lemon is transplanted to a permanent place of growth.
Panderosa lemon is often propagated by seeds. This is the easy way. It is distinguished from cuttings by the length of the period that passes from planting to the beginning of fruiting. To grow a lemon from a seed, you need to select full seeds from a ripe lemon. They are soaked in a root system biostimulator, then the seeds are buried in the prepared soil.The containers are covered with plastic film to create greenhouse conditions. Planting material is left until seedlings emerge. Among the shoots, the strongest ones are selected and transplanted to a permanent place of growth.
There is a method of breeding hybrids by layering or grafting. It is available only to experienced citrus growers who have sufficient knowledge and skills. The difficulties of the process lie in choosing a variety for the rootstock, grafting and adaptation of the tree after it.
Landing rules
The Panderosa lemon needs regular replanting. It is recommended to plant shoots or plant seeds in late spring. These dates are suitable for carrying out planting work according to several criteria:
- the presence of natural conditions comfortable for culture;
- the protective mechanisms of the lemon during this time period are maximized, which helps the lemon to quickly adapt to new conditions;
- reducing the risk of developing fungal diseases that arise due to dry air caused by the operation of heating devices in winter.
Soil for Panderosa lemons is selected according to the following characteristics:
- light structure;
- neutral degree of acidity;
- the presence of nutrients with a predominance of phosphorus;
- well thought out drainage system.
The selection of a container for planting depends on the age and size of the planting material. Lemons are not suitable for pots that are selected taking into account further growth. An excess of space can provoke acidification of the soil, which, in turn, leads to the development of fungal diseases.
Characteristics of planting material:
Height | From 20 to 30 cm |
Presence of leaves | Up to 5 - 6 true leaves |
State of the root system | Roots visible in drainage holes |
Disembarkation algorithm:
- The seedling is watered abundantly.
- Carefully remove the material from the container, holding it at the base.
- Place a lemon along with a lump of earth on a drainage layer sprinkled with prepared soil.
- Add the remaining soil. The top layer should not reach 2 cm to the top border of the walls of the pot.
- The transplanted lemon is sprayed with a spray bottle.
Caring for indoor lemon Panderosa
After transplanting the lemon, a long period of growing a full-fledged lemon tree begins.
- Crown formation. This is one of the most important features of caring for citrus crops. The variety has a beneficial quality that is valued by citrus growers. With timely pinching, it is possible to easily form the selected type of crown. The tops are pinched after 5-6 leaves, preventing the branches from growing. If necessary, the lower part is left bare.
- Watering. Citrus crops are moisture-loving. Regular watering is the key to success in growing a lemon tree. However, the line between sufficient soil moisture and too much moisture for lemon is thin. Citrus growers recommend paying attention to the condition of the soil. Water the lemon only if the top layer dries out and begins to become covered with a thin crust. In winter, the amount of watering is reduced.
- Feeding. One or two months after planting a young tree, no fertilizing is carried out. In winter, lemon does not need additional complexes. Lemon is fed with nitrogen-containing mixtures if the acidity of the soil in which it grows is disturbed. Phosphorus and potassium are needed by citrus trees during the fruiting stage.
- Lighting. Lemon variety Panderosa is a light-loving plant.The leaves should receive diffused sunlight for 12 to 14 hours.
- Temperature and humidity. Panderosa feels comfortable in temperatures ranging from +15 °C to +25 °. It cannot tolerate dry air, so humidifiers are often placed next to the pot.
Pests and diseases
Lemon Panderosa is considered a variety with average resistance to infection. In the winter season, due to dry air, mites appear on the tree. They are detected by the appearance of cobwebs on the leaves or trunk. Small parasitic insects can undermine the strength of citrus and threaten its continued existence. To get rid of them, the leaves are treated with special means.
Measures for the prevention and control of diseases and pests:
- carrying out a hygienic shower with hot water;
- treating leaves with soap solution or manganese solution;
- timely application of fertilizers;
- soil moisture control
Conclusion
Panderosa lemon is suitable for growing at home. The dwarf tree can delight citrus growers with abundant flowering and the formation of large fruits. They love him for his unpretentiousness and spectacular appearance.
Lemon Panderosa. 3 years. The leaves seem to first turn white, lose their rich green color, then the entire leaf blade dries out in patches and the leaf falls off. Is Trieste and the plant dying?