Lemon Trees
The lemon trees performed exceptionally well last year. They were so productive in the first half of the year with the heavy rain we experienced in February and March. The trees flowered and produced fruits throughout the year. However, the second half of the year had some unexpected results. When the summer heat stressed the plants, the rough lemon (local variety) succumbed to flower drop and diseases. The pests necessitated spraying to control and prevent future leafminer, aphids and scale insect infestations. We pruned the trees for better disease control. The expectations for the locally acclimated lemon variety were better resilience and productivity.
Exotic Lemon Varieties
The non-native lemon varieties had more resilience to disease, heat and drought despite growing in the same conditions as the rough lemon. Eureka, Italian orange lemon, and the Meyer lemon varieties produce abundant yields as we harvest the fruits. Even the previously struggling potted vanilla lemon and Lemon Limoneira (Lisbone) trees endured and produced good crops. The rough lemon recovered in December as the rains and humidity reduced the drought stress. The belief that non-native plants are less productive and more vulnerable to diseases could be revisited. Diversity has proved advantageous among the lemon varieties. They proved to be the second most resilient and productive citrus trees of 2023.
Plant Propagation
Unfortunately, plant propagation was affected by the drought because the scion and cutting would leaf out before the graft took or roots formed. So, we will resume propagating citrus trees when temperatures are more conducive.
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