Take It Indoors

Cs the growing season dwindles, _ potted cittus became a summer souuenir

- MATTHEW OLSON

When I was in high school, my mom and I went plant shopping and came across several lemon trees at the garden center. Living in Wisconsin, the idea of growing citrus trees seemed far-fetched, but seeing them in the nursery inspired me to take on the unique challenge of growing lemons in a container. Of course, it took some trial and error to understand the best way to care for that lemon tree, and I'm still learning today.

WHY POTTED CITRUS?

Many of us know the satisfaction of growing our food, and producing your own citrus fruits brings that same good feeling, especially if you live in a cold climate. And it's not just lemons. You can grow oranges, limes, kumquats, tangerines, and hybrids of these fruit.

While the fruit is the main highlight, the highly fragrant blooms add another dimension to these beautiful plants. They're a great addition to patios, balconies and other outdoor areas in the summer. And during the winter, they add a touch of warmth inside our homes.

CITRUS CHOICES

While shopping for citrus plants, you'll find certain kinds are more commonly used in containers. The Meyer lemon (Citrus meyeri) is a good example. This cross between a lemon and a mandarin bears fruit that are smaller than normal lemons and have a slight sweetness in comparison. Besides producing lots of fruit, the tree also flowers intermittently throughout the year, even in winter.

From a grower's standpoint, Meyer lemons can seem finicky, as they tend to drop leaves after being moved indoors for the winter. But the ample fruit and flowers make up for that.