Content
Growing citrus crops at home starts with choosing the right variety. The Panderosa lemon is especially popular among citrus growers, its characteristic feature is the stable fruiting 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 heaviness or large-fruited. The breeding history of this hybrid is not fully understood. Most citrus growers believe that Panderosa is a hybrid obtained by naturally crossing wild citrus varieties. It is believed that the variety appeared in the late 19th or early 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, the Panderoza lemon began to be grown in the United States of America, and then spread throughout Europe.
Character traits:
- Lemon bush Panderoza 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.
- Fruits of the Panderoza variety can grow from 500 g to 1000 g. The yellow peel of the fruit is covered with small tubercles. The pulp of the Panderoza variety is characterized as juicy, with a pronounced acidity. There are several dozen seeds per fruit.
- Lemon flowers Panderoza can appear 2-3 times in 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 "Panderosis syndrome": it refers to the abundant flowering of the tree, which can cause poor fruiting. The strength of the tree is spent on the formation of buds and long flowering.
Subject to the necessary maintenance conditions, the Panderoza 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 Panderoza lemon similar to its wild progenitors.
The Panderoza 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 indicators of air humidity.
The Panderosa tree needs additional support. This is due to the severity of the large fruit. Branches cannot always support this weight on their own, without support.
For the Panderoza lemon, ordinary soil is not suitable; the Panderoza variety needs a loose, light soil with a basic set of nutrients.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantages of this variety:
- compact size;
- the Panderoza bush is not sprawling, which allows it to be grown in small rooms;
- large fruits with a characteristic lemon flavor;
- can be a stock for other varieties;
- undemanding to the conditions of detention;
- has a spectacular appearance.
There are few disadvantages of the Panderoza variety, but they all relate to the characteristics of the fruit:
- a large number of seeds;
- due to weight indicators, most of the fruits do not have time to ripen on the branches and fall off.
Breeding methods
Panderosa lemon can be bred in one of 3 ways: cuttings, seeds, scion.
Cutting - this method has established itself as the most effective.It helps to bring fruiting closer. Panderoza lemon is propagated in spring, the method includes several successive stages:
- A stalk is cut from the selected plant; for this, a semi-freshened branch is selected with a length of up to 10 cm, with a diameter of 5 mm. The handle should have 2 - 3 live buds. The cut is performed above or below one of the kidneys.
- The stalk is treated with a root biostimulant.
- To root a Panderose lemon stalk, it is placed in water or moistened soil is used. In the case of choosing the second option, the depth should not exceed 2 - 3 cm.
- To create a greenhouse effect and accelerate the rooting process, the container with the handle is covered with plastic wrap.
- After the roots appear, the lemon is transplanted into a small container, placed on the windowsill.
- The seedling at this stage needs a temperature not lower than +20 °
- When true leaves appear, the lemon is transplanted to a permanent growth site.
Panderosa lemon is often propagated by seed. 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 must select full-fledged seeds in a ripe lemon. They are soaked in a biostimulator of the root system, then the seeds are buried in the prepared soil. The containers are covered with plastic wrap to create greenhouse conditions. Planting material is left until shoots appear. Among the shoots, the strongest are chosen and transplanted to a permanent place of growth.
There is a method for breeding hybrids by layering or grafting. It is available only to experienced citrus growers who have sufficient knowledge and skills. The complexities of the process lie in choosing a variety for the stock, carrying out grafting and adapting the tree after it.
Landing rules
Panderosa lemon needs a regular transplant. Planting shoots or planting seeds is recommended in late spring. These dates are suitable for carrying out planting operations according to several criteria:
- the presence of natural conditions that are comfortable for culture;
- the lemon's defense mechanisms at this time interval 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 the winter.
Soil for Panderose lemons is selected according to the following characteristics:
- lightweight structure;
- neutral acidity;
- the presence of nutrients with a predominance of phosphorus;
- thoughtful 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, which are selected for further growth. An overabundance of space can provoke soil acidification, which, in turn, leads to the development of fungal diseases.
Characteristics of the planting material:
Height | 20 to 30 cm |
The presence of leaves | Up to 5 - 6 true leaves |
Root system state | The roots are visible in the drainage holes |
Disembarkation algorithm:
- The seedling is watered abundantly.
- Carefully pull the material out of the container, holding it at the base.
- A lemon is placed on the drainage layer, sprinkled with prepared soil, along with a lump of earth.
- Fill up the remaining soil. The top layer should not reach 2 cm to the upper border of the walls of the pot.
- The transplanted lemon is sprayed with a spray bottle.
Panderosa indoor lemon care
After replanting the lemon, a long period of growing a full-fledged lemon tree begins.
- Crown formation. This is one of the most important aspects of citrus care. The variety has a beneficial quality that citrus growers appreciate. 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 exposed.
- Watering. Citrus crops are hygrophilous. Regular watering is the key to success in growing a lemon tree. However, the line between sufficient soil moisture and too much moisture for a lemon is thin. Citrus growers recommend paying attention to the condition of the soil. Lemon is watered only if the top layer dries up and begins to be covered with a thin crust. In winter, the amount of watering is reduced.
- Top dressing. One to two months after planting a young tree, feeding is not 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 essential for citrus fruits during the fruiting stage.
- Lighting. The Panderoza lemon is a light-loving plant. The leaves should receive diffused sunlight for 12 - 14 hours.
- Temperature and humidity. Panderoza feels comfortable at temperatures from +15 ° C to +25 ° It does not tolerate dry air, so humidifiers are often placed next to the pot.
Pests and diseases
The Panderoza lemon is considered to have average resistance to infestations. In the winter season, mites appear on the tree due to the dry air. They are detected by the appearance of cobwebs on the leaves or trunk. Small parasitic insects can undermine the strength of the citrus and threaten its continued existence. To get rid of them, the leaves are treated with special agents.
Disease and pest prevention and control measures:
- hygienic shower with hot water;
- processing leaves with soapy water or manganese solution;
- timely application of dressings;
- soil moisture control
Conclusion
Panderosa lemon is suitable for growing at home. A dwarf tree is able to delight citrus growers with abundant flowering and the formation of large fruits. He is loved for its unpretentiousness and spectacular appearance.
