The Propagation and Pollination of a Lemon Tree

Lemon trees can be propagated many ways, most of which circumvent cross-pollination altogether. The key is determining what size tree you want, the obstacles your lemon tree faces in your environment, and how long you want to wait for a mature tree.

Propagation

• Lemons are propagated like most citrus, with "T" cuttings or grafting onto sturdy root stock. "T" cuttings are small branches cut a couple of inches before and after a leaf-bearing branch, then planted so that the "T" intersection is in the ground and the leafy branch is vertical. Alternatively, desirable lemon fruit sizes and flavors are often grafted onto root stock that is resistant to disease or environmental stress, such as sour orange.

Pollination

• Lemon trees can self-pollinate, and are self-fruitful. That said, hybrids can be engineered by cross-pollinating different lemon varieties. The complication comes in that each lemon seed often produces several seedlings, with one containing the crossed genetic material, and the rest being clones of the parent lemon tree.

Considerations

• Propagating from seeds means waiting many years (around 15) before the tree bears fruit, unless branches from the seedling are grafted onto more mature root stock. Thus, grafting and cuttings are the preferred methods for lemon tree propagation. Cuttings don't always adjust to harsh soil conditions, so consider grafting unless your soil is rich, fertile and well drained.