Our Meyer lemon tree has been very bountiful this season.
We've finally convinced mom to let them ripen a bit longer on the tree instead of picking them when they're barely yellow.
We've got so many ripening at the same time that we've been able to happily share them with neighbors, friends and relatives. I love it that there are quite a few people who enjoy lemons.
The only problem now is that there are very, very few lemon blossoms on the tree. Although the lemon trees seem to be bearing fruit continuously they do rest. Therefore I've started squeezing a lot of lemons and freezing them in ice trays.
I can then add some lemon juice cubes into my iced tea or water when there are no fruit on the trees.
My sister-in-law is now carefully selecting some super sweet California Meyer lemon seeds to see if I might be able to grow them in Hawaii. I can't wait to try, but I'm feeling a little pessimistic. If they can be grown in Hawaii, why haven't any of the neighbors planted it? Ah well... It'll be fun to try.
We've finally convinced mom to let them ripen a bit longer on the tree instead of picking them when they're barely yellow.
The only problem now is that there are very, very few lemon blossoms on the tree. Although the lemon trees seem to be bearing fruit continuously they do rest. Therefore I've started squeezing a lot of lemons and freezing them in ice trays.
I can then add some lemon juice cubes into my iced tea or water when there are no fruit on the trees.
My sister-in-law is now carefully selecting some super sweet California Meyer lemon seeds to see if I might be able to grow them in Hawaii. I can't wait to try, but I'm feeling a little pessimistic. If they can be grown in Hawaii, why haven't any of the neighbors planted it? Ah well... It'll be fun to try.
Lemon cubes? Fantastic idea, Kay! But I remember you said the lemons in your SIL's yard were too sweet for the salad dressing you wanted to make.
ReplyDeleteAll those beautiful lemons!
ReplyDeleteThere is such a big difference between the lemons we get here in Florida and the ones available in Vermont. Florida lemons actually have juice!
However, citrus growers in Florida have been hard hit with some kind of greening disease. Usually we get all the lemons, grapefruit and oranges we can use from the neighbors, but not this year.
Do citrus trees take a "rest" every few years? That seems to happen with apple trees.
I think our lemon tree takes a rest every year at some point. I just never remember when.
DeleteI cannot even imagine having lemons growing in the yard! I buy them when on discount and squeeze and freeze too, they are very pricey here and we use them every day, hope you are well, have a good day Kay.I hope the seeds grow for you, that would be wonderful, maybe no one tried before!
ReplyDeleteI just got the seeds and bought some seed starting soil so I'll try growing them. I hope it works. If they do, however, it'll be a trick finding a place to grow it.
DeleteThis week I found Meyer lemons in the super market. The flavor really is mild. I'm sure fresh is much better. I like the freezing juice idea. Will pick up some trays today. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhy does the song say: "Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
ReplyDeletebut the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat." We all know lemons are possible to eat.
They're not impossible to eat, but difficult unless it's a Meyer because they're so darn tart.
DeleteIt reminds me of the lemon tree my grandmother had in her backyard when I was a kid. She lived in southern California and they grew everywhere there, too. Beautiful lemons, Kay! :-)
ReplyDeleteI love photos of fruit trees bearing, just wow! You will need all sorts of lemon recipes now!
ReplyDeleteVitamin C so good. I love lemons!
ReplyDeleteWell meyer lemons are sometimes very unknown depending on where you go. It's actually a cross between the lemon and some type of orange (believed to be mandarin or common) so I figure you could grow them.
ReplyDeleteWow. Kay - how nice to grow your own lemons and to have enough that you can share. Sorry I haven't been around. I just haven't had the time I once did when I first moved here - which is good I guess because it means I am busy and not bored sitting at home! Hope life is good.
ReplyDeleteHi Susie! It's so nice to see you again. It is nice to know you're busy and enjoying life there in Saudi Arabia. I so admire your courage and ability to adapt to a new life as you did.
Deletesimply awesome..I must visit Hawaii n you one day!
ReplyDeleteDo I ever wish I lived closer!!!! My Meyer lemon does well for living in a cold area. I can only imagine what it would do if we lived in the South or in Hawaii!!!
ReplyDeleteI love all things lemon: lemon meringue pie; lemon curd; lemonade; hot tea with lemon and honey...et cetera!
Meyer lemons are the BEST. Our daughter has a tree in their side yard so I get lots from her. When I was teaching, one of the other teachers in the department had a Meyer tree and would bring us fabulous fruit from it. The Meyer is so different from the usual lemons that grow in the orchards. A few farmers have started taking out old trees and planting new citrus varieties, one being the Meyer. There are so many smaller oranges being grown, too, like Clementines, Cara Cara, cuties...Lots of new fruits will be coming on the market in years to come.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering whether you can grow from seed. Most citrus plants, I thought, were air layered. You might want to ask the garden people at Home Depot. But then again, it was my Mom who knew about plants; I was the one who could only kill plants with benign neglect or tooooo much attention. Failing plants were always dropped off with Mom to keep!
ReplyDeleteI have the same talent for killing my plants so slowly. When I was a kid, I actually grew a lime tree in an empty mecuricome bottle. Remember those? I dropped the seeds in for some strange reason. I suppose it was to see if something would germinate. It did and we planted in in the backyard. It was a big lime producer. I've no idea what we did with the limes though.
DeleteThat is very interesting that you got fruit from a tree grown from seed. Usually a fruit bearing tree has to be grafted. Even some of the old trees are now being used as grafting wood for newer varieties. Terry & I saw an orchard being used for that when we were on the Blossom Tour this past week. Guess I should write a blog post about that trip.
DeleteI cannot imagine a lemon tree in my yard. Wonder if they grow in Oregon? Looks like you've found a good way to use them.
ReplyDeleteI should think they would. There are hardier varieties of lemon and tangerines. I think.
DeleteA great idea to make lemon ice-cubes and how neat to have your own lemon tree. I wish your sister-in-law luck on growing her California Meyer's. When we rented a house in CA back in our navy days, there was a tree in the back with huge lemons. I don't remember the blossoms but I sure do remember that wonderful smell of lemons.
ReplyDeleteHave you googled "uses for Meyer lemons"? Probably you have.
ReplyDeleteNow that you mentioned it, I did. However, the Hawaii Meyer is not the same as the Meyers on the mainland. I asked my Zumba friends today and they all said the same thing.
DeleteLove your lemon cubes idea. Now, if we can just get the lemon tree to talk to the papaya tree about keeping birds away.... DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteSigh...... I think we're almost giving up on the papaya tree. We have one tree left, but I'm hoping for a REAL mainland type Meyer lemon tree.
DeleteWhen life gives you lemons, share them with others!!!
ReplyDeleteKay, I just bet those lemons taste great.
Lemon cubes, that's a great idea.
xx
Thank you so much for your advice yesterday, Kay. I try to be more careful, but .... well... sometimes I sure get fooled.
DeleteWhen I see all those lemons, I think lemon dessert! How do you use them all?
ReplyDeleteActually we give most of them away. Mom uses it to make her lemon chicken and I add them to carbonated water. That's about it.
DeleteGood luck with your planting. If you started a lime tree in a tiny bottle, I guess you can do anything.
ReplyDeleteI never heard of Meyer. But my neighbor here in the village did teach me to freeze lemon juice. Many folks have lemon trees in their yard.
This post may have useful information for you.
ReplyDeletehttp://jalna.blogspot.com/2012/10/lemon-seed.html
She has subsequent posts on the progress of the sprouts. I too love lemons.
Lisa
Thank you, Lisa! I've got seeds planted right now and hope they grow.
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