In summer of 2013, my sister-in-law sent us some California Meyer lemon seeds after we tasted how sweet the Meyers were, unlike our Hawaiian Meyer lemon which are more tart. I called the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, reassured them that only seeds were sent without any dirt or other material and they said it was OK to try planting them. At first they wouldn't germinate, but then a blogger sent me to Jalna's blog where Jalna showed how she got seeds to germinate.
It worked! But then two or three weeks later, the other seeds began germinating also. We gave away a bunch of the seedlings with the understanding that it would be a decade before they might fruit.
Then we learned that trees grown from seeds don't necessarily come out tasting like the fruit the seeds came from. Arrrghhhh!
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Two of the plants in the bottom photo are not lemon trees.
I planted rosemary and basil in pots for my brother also.
However, the other eight little trees are all the California Meyers.
So what the heck is Art planning to do with these little trees? It's not like we don't already have TWO Hawaiian Meyer lemon trees already in the ground and one non producing Satsuma tangerine tree.
Have I mentioned before that Art just likes trees?
Unfortunately we just don't have any space for a tree in our yard. That's why Art got into bonsai.
Notice the teeny tree at the end? Yup! Art is trying to turn the lemon tree into a lemon bonsai.
We'll see what happens in another decade...
It worked! But then two or three weeks later, the other seeds began germinating also. We gave away a bunch of the seedlings with the understanding that it would be a decade before they might fruit.
Then we learned that trees grown from seeds don't necessarily come out tasting like the fruit the seeds came from. Arrrghhhh!
I planted rosemary and basil in pots for my brother also.
However, the other eight little trees are all the California Meyers.
So what the heck is Art planning to do with these little trees? It's not like we don't already have TWO Hawaiian Meyer lemon trees already in the ground and one non producing Satsuma tangerine tree.
Have I mentioned before that Art just likes trees?
Unfortunately we just don't have any space for a tree in our yard. That's why Art got into bonsai.
Notice the teeny tree at the end? Yup! Art is trying to turn the lemon tree into a lemon bonsai.
We'll see what happens in another decade...
Good luck, Art.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you like lemons so much? I rarely use them in my cooking.
David likes lemon meringue pie, which we sometimes purchase at the bakery, but I really don't care for it.
The previous owner planted a lemon tree in our yard, but we never used the lemons so we cut down the tree.
It's not so much the lemons than the fact that they are trees that he likes... I think.
DeleteI like trees, too, and would love to have lemons available just to pick right out of the back yard, especially if they were sweeter than the ones I get in the store. He certainly does have quite a grove of trees out there, doesn't he? :-)
ReplyDeletethat's amazing!
ReplyDeleteIf Art kept growing the trees there they'd turn into a nice screen.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the composition of the Hawaii soil is what gives the Meyer lemons their tartness.
The Hawaiian soil might very well be the problem or maybe the climate (no really cold temperatures). Whatever the case, the plants are grown in a mixture of Miracle Grow potting and garden soil that we bought at Sam's Club. We'll see... in 10 years.
DeleteWow, that is so neat. I had a little Meyer lemon tree, but it died. Too cold here. I might try one inside under my grow-lights, however. Bonsai is about the right size. Does Art give lessons?
ReplyDeleteArt is only at the very beginning stage of his bonsai education. He still has lots, lots, lots to learn.
DeleteThe great tree escapade!
ReplyDeleteDeal! Meet you back here in a decade to see how it turned out!
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^=
OMG! What a green thumb! I'm so jealous. Out of the many, many seeds that I planted I only have one plant left. It just flowered for the first time and got me all excited.
ReplyDeleteIt flowered? Wow! That's fabulous! If our trees ever flower, I'll probably have a party to celebrate.
DeleteFlat out delightful. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun to be growing something, even if it has no intended use in the end. I wonder if they will ever bare fruit?
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could convince Dennis to let Art plant part of the "grove" in his yard! Or Maeko, since she's right down the street from you! Unlike my sister, I didn't inherit the "good with plants" genes from our mother, whose garden was a delight to walk through. Holly's garden is also beautiful, as she and Gerry are soooo good with plants.
ReplyDeleteDennis lives in a condo so no place to grow plants. He does grow a few things on his balcony, but he says they don't do well. Too hot.
DeleteWow...so many. It may be worth keeping them all till you're sure which among them gives the best fruit. Such a waste of time and resources to discard the rest when it's time. I don't envy you on this one lol
ReplyDeleteL...w
I don't think Art will dispose of any. They're like his babies right now. We have so little greenery at our house that he's willing to have them in pots rather than not having them at all.
DeleteMaybe some neighbours would like some lemon trees?
ReplyDeleteI don't think he's wanting to give away any more trees. He's gotten very attached to them. They all look different and have grown in their own way.
Deletenice garden of lemons
ReplyDeletewe have far too many rocks to successfully plant trees that can develop any kind of a root system. it makes me sad that we lost our 7 pecan trees. I always love your perseverance.
ReplyDeleteArt really has the reputation of being a "tree guy." That is a lovely title to have. It will be interesting when these get really big. I'm sure you will find a need.
ReplyDeleteThe trees look quite happy in their pots with Art's care. I kept one in a pot and moved it inside for the winter for a few years. It finally blossomed but the blooms fell off and no lemons. It was heavy and hard to move so I gave up.
ReplyDeleteWell, come on! Have you ever heard of lemonade???
ReplyDeleteI always wanted some of kind of fruit tree, but the long wait does not mix with my little patience for gardening
ReplyDeleteImpressive to see these grow from seeds. I love lemons! I love the smell it leaves on my fingers and the taste of the juice in a glass of water. I did not realize it took so long for fruit to grow on a tree but it would be worth the wait just to feel the reward of growing them.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I think it's way cool that you got those seeds to sprout and grow! I have never tried to grow a fruit tree from seed. Then I think it's also cool that Art will try to bonsai one. If it works, he could get a full size lemon on a tiny tree.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you could espalier those trees and grow them as a living fence or screen. It takes a lot of pruning and training, sort of like bonsai. Art might like that.
That actually sounds like a great idea if we had a place to put it. Then again... you've got Art thinking.
Deletehow about lemonade? so much vitamin C...go for it!
ReplyDeleteHow nice to be able to plant!
ReplyDelete