I just thought I'd share this with you. This is a Ponderosa Lemon, they flower and fruit continually and smell wonderful. I had no idea it would grow this big this fast when I planted it. It is loaded with fruit. I meant to trim off the lower branches but by the time I got around to it, they had fruit.
These aren't "true" lemons, and they get huge. Here is one branch that is close to the ground.
If not true lemons, what are they like? Beautiful plant. CC will be so envious!!
There are "true" lemons like Eureka(not variegated) and then there are crosses like Meyer Lemons that are a cross between an orange and a lemon. I COPIED THIS FROM A CITRUS SITE:
True Lemons. True lemon apparently originated in India but little is known of its spread into the Mediterranean Basin. It was brought to the Americas by Columbus. There are two primary types of lemons: 'Eureka', which originated in California and is probably the major variety there, forms an open, spreading tree, with relatively few branches and twigs which are virtually thornless, and 'Lisbon', which originated in Australia and is characterized by a rather dense tree having numerous upright, thorny branches. Production on 'Eureka' occurs mostly in spring and summer, while that of 'Lisbon' is mostly in the summer and fall. 'Lisbon' fruit are seedier than 'Eureka' fruit and are primarily borne inside the canopy as opposed to the terminal bearing habit of 'Eureka'.
A number of other varieties exist, most of which are selections from either 'Eureka' or 'Lisbon'. For the most part, there is very little difference among the fruit of the different varieties. 'Bearss' and 'Avon' both originated in Florida and are similar to 'Lisbon'. 'Harvey' originated in Florida and is similar to 'Eureka', as is 'Villafranca' which came from Sicily. 'Perrine' is actually a hybrid of lemon and lime.
Ponderosa Lemon. 'Ponderosa' is not a true lemon although its fruit are much like citrons and lemons. It originated as a chance seedling during the 1880's. 'Ponderosa' trees are rather small and somewhat thorny; its fruit are very large and seedy, with yellow, thick, bumpy-textured peel. 'Ponderosa' is more cold sensitive than true lemons.
Meyer Lemon. 'Meyer' lemon was introduced from China in 1908. While not a true lemon, its fruit are used as a lemon substitute despite being much less acid than true lemons. Its fruit, which are moderately seedy, resemble a large orange in shape, peel color and pulp color. The tree is spreading and relatively small, nearly thornless and more cold tolerant than true lemons. Because of its popularity in south Texas, 'Meyer' lemon is known locally as Valley lemon.
I'm SO VERY jealous!
Come on down and visit Kristi(especially if it's cold up there)
I'm packing my bags and I'll be on my way. Someone send me Susie's address before she changes her mind. It's SO cold here right now. Last night it got down to 37F again. My poor plants :(
Kristi, here is a link to the weather right now http://wwwa.accuweather.com/index-forecast.asp?partner=accuweather&myadc=0&zipcode=78578&u=1
Datdog-- PICK ME UP ON YOUR WAY! I am soooooo jelous of all our CA and southern friends! Our roses are barly leafed out and people are showing FRUIT! and FLOWERS -- sob- jelous me...
Calalily - that tree is great! The only way we get them up here is greenhouse or houseplant (aka ornamental)
Heather
Tell her you will bring her some of your leaves, Kristi. She will send a car for you!! They are that stunning.
Funny, Susie just now emailed me not only her address but actual directions to her house. It just occurred to me how many people would love this info. What plant do I get to delete that email Suz??
OH MY LORDY!!!!
Look at all those fruits!!!
I've got a ponderosa lemon,infact I think I got it form you
I picked my first lemon off it a few weeks ago
It was about the size of a small nerf football
it was lumpy too.......
can you eat them?????
CC, they taste like a lemon, a little sweeter than a storebought lemon, lots of juice.
Kell, I am holding your crinum still, you'd better delete that email or I will send a gator after you!
Kristi, your leaves were so beautiful!
Wow, Susie. We'll never get you back to Tenn. to live. LOL
Watch out Kell, she tamed the gator! ....... :)
Love the lemons!
