North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[rmelrose@danvilleVT.net]

  From: Donna &/or Kieran 
  To: North American Fruit Explorers 
  Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2008 6:12 PM
  Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Meyer Lemon


  Helene,
      As far north as you are, I think that any citrus is not going to do 
much more than entertain you.  Meyer or Ponderosa lemons would do the best of 
any citrus for you, if you can provide them with sun and keep them from 
freezing in winter.  They don't require high temps in the winter, unlike many 
tropical plants and trees.  All they ask is not to be frozen.  45 degrees F 
would be fine for them in the winter, so if you have some sort of greenhouse 
where you grow cool season veggies with minimal heating, they would be happy. 
 But if you have to build them a place, you may find that ordering a box of 
lemons from the citrus belt is cheaper.    Donna 

Helene,

We have done pretty well with a Meyer Lemon in Northern Vermont in a
pot. It comes in around 10 Sept and goes out around 1 June which are about
our possible frost dates. We overwinter it in a sunny cool room, mostly
near 10C, or 50F if you prefer. After 5 years it is now about 130 cm, over
4 ft, high and fairly bushy (my wife is the citrus pruner). We get around
12-15 lemons a year starting near Christmas, with the scented flowers (just
about to start) it is pretty good value -- so much so that I have started a
couple of cuttings (with some difficulty) -- it earns its space against the
figs. We also have a lime, which has done very poorly in comparison
(meaning small and only 1 lime PA, a margarita every 2 years!) A kumquat
has done around about as well as the lemon (except that I have not YET
succeeded in getting cuttings of it to strike).

Richard