Soil for lemon: what does indoor fruit like and what soil should it be planted in, how to make special soil at home, and what should be part of it?

A healthy and beautiful lemon tree is the dream of every citrus grower. In order for the lemon to develop well, bloom and bear the first fruits, it is necessary to provide the necessary care.

One of the important conditions for the normal growth of lemon is a properly selected nutritious soil.

This article describes in detail what should be taken into account in order for the lemon to receive balanced recharge from the soil, as well as how to choose the right soil composition for planting at home.

The importance of making the right choice

The soil for the lemon tree should be loose, without large lumps of earthwhich moisture easily penetrates. The plant needs sandy soil, as filled with nutrients as possible. Clay soils are not recommended, since oxygen access to the roots is significantly hindered.

What happens if you put in a bad environment?

Lemons do not take root well in heavy soil due to poor ventilation and stagnation of moisture. Excess water adversely affects the root system, as a result, it can rot.

What soil does this fruit like?

The soil should be loose, airy. The root system of the plant does not have hairs, so it is difficult for lemon to receive water from the ground.
The mixture should be homogeneous without large earthen lumps that interfere with the proper nutrition of the roots.
The soil for lemon, including indoor, must contain the necessary amount of nutrients. One of the reasons for poor or improperly selected soil can be a nutrient deficiency.

Pay attention to our recommendations!

Signs of nutritional deficiencies

Lack of nitrogen manifests itself in a change in the color of the leaves and a halt in the development of the plant. This is especially noticeable in the spring, when the period of active growth begins.
Phosphorus deficiency leads to the fact that after abundant flowering on the plant not a single lemon was tied. With a constant deficit of this mineral, foliage blackens and falls.
Potassium deficiency. If the leaves become colorless, they have changed color from the edges and faded - this is a sure sign of a lack of potassium. The plant weakens, becomes sluggish, lemons ripen for a long time. If you do not sound the alarm in time, we will lose all the foliage.
Calcium deficiency prevents the development of the root system. Nutrient intake is difficult. In addition, the upper shoots of citrus are affected.

If everything is in order with nutrients, there are cases that a lemon tree has a deficiency of trace elements. The first symptoms of this phenomenon are light spots on the leaves. In the future, the leaves may fall.

Acidity

What acidity is needed for normal plant life? The level should be neutral with a pH of 5.5-7. High acidity will lead to plant disease.

Perfect makeup

With humus

The sand is coarse-grained.
Sheet earth.
Sod land.
Humus.

Recommended Proportions: to 0.5 parts of sand for 1 part of the remaining components.

With manure

Land from the garden.
Peat.
Leaf humus.
Sand with large fractions.
Manure.

Self cooking

Houses

To prepare the soil at home, you will need the following components:

Earth. You can dial anywhere, for example, from the garden, it is advisable to clean from weeds, roots, larvae, grass and other debris.
Lowland peat. Sold in garden stores. Before use, the material is ventilated for 2-3 days.
Leaf humus. This is land gathered around trees.
Sod land. Ideal for sod collected in the place where the nettle or clover grows. In this soil, chemicals are in sufficient volume and contain the most optimal level of acidity.
Sand - coarse-grained, preferably river.
Charcoal. Most often, alder or birch charcoal is used for cooking. Coal needs to be crushed, and then mixed with other components. In a pot with a plant you need to add two tablespoons of charcoal.
Manure.

All components are mixed until a homogeneous mass.

What land should an adult plant be planted in? For mature specimens, the following proportions are suitable:

one part of peat;
sand;
turf land;
humus leaf.

Young trees require mainly turf and leaf humus - peat and sand require very little.

For open ground

A similar composition of the nutrient soil is used if the climatic conditions of your region allow.

How to determine the quality?

The soil chosen for planting a lemon must first be checked for acidity. To do this, take a lump of moist soil and put a litmus test on it.
- Green and yellow show a normal pH level (6-7).
- With increased acidity, the indicator is red, blue - the soil has an alkaline environment.
The second test - checking for oil products. Prepared soil is placed in a container with clean water. If stains or oily stains appear on the surface of the water, this means that oil products are present in the soil, such land cannot be used for planting plants.

Is drainage necessary?

When planting a lemon, drainage must be used to maintain the comfortable importance of the soil. Otherwise, stagnation of moisture and decay of the roots cannot be avoided.

The nuances of his preparation

Drainage before landing:

rinse thoroughly;
disinfect;
then dry;
lay at least 3 centimeters on the bottom of the pot with an even layer.

List of materials

Expanded clay is most often used as drainage, and crushed stone, pieces of red brick or fragments of pottery can also be used.

Fertilizers

Lemons quickly consume mineral substances from the soil, so it must be constantly fertilized and nourished. To replenish nutrients, you need to periodically apply organic fertilizers.

Why feed?

The nutrients contained in the new soil are enough for six months, after this the plant needs fertilizing and fertilizing.

How to do it?

In the period from January to August, the plant requires nitrogen-containing fertilizers. Horse manure tincture is rich in nitrogen, and we do not forget about urea.

In the spring, when citrus begins to bloom actively, it is necessary to feed with fertilizers containing potassium and phosphorus.
From August to September, we prepare the plant for the rest period - we make fertilizers with potassium.

Does it make sense to purchase a special ready-made mixture?

Now you know how to make an earthen mixture for planting a lemon yourself. But, if there is not enough experience in growing lemons, it is best to use ready-made nutritious soil. It contains everything you need for the full growth and development of the tree.

What to look for when buying?

Of the finished mixtures, the most balanced in composition:

ready soil "For lemons";
nutritious soil "Lemon".

Cost in Moscow and St. Petersburg

In stores for gardeners in Moscow and St. Petersburg, you can purchase a package of 5 liters for about 50 rubles.

Care

Properly selected soil, proper care for it and timely watering will provide favorable conditions for your favorite plant.
It is also necessary to carry out actions such as loosening and mulching the soil, to make the necessary fertilizers.
You need to make sure that pests do not settle in the pot.

Following all our recommendations, you can grow a beautiful, healthy plant that will delight in abundant flowering and large fruits.

Good luck