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Portuguese lemon tree, frost damage - should I pick the ripe lemons?

7 years ago

This is my first lemon tree and I love it! I live in Portugal and bought it from a local garden centre. I have no idea what type it is. I planted it last February and it has grown many lemons, but in the last 10 days we have had severe (for Portugal) frosts and the new purple-coloured shoots have all shrivelled up and died. The leaves have gone yellow and curly and I am worried about it's survival. what should I do??

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Comments (5)

Laura LaRosa (7b)
7 years ago
Can you post a pic for us? I'm sorry about your tree. I'm not an in-ground tree person, but I'm sure others here can help you.
juleswj thanked Laura LaRosa (7b)
poncirusguy6b452xx
7 years ago
If your tree dies You might want to grow a Harvey lemon. Those trees can go down to -12C for a very short time period.

Harvey lemon stats

You'll need to find one in your country.. If it is not graft to cold hardy root stock you will need to protect the trunk with cover and heat.

If the lemons are ripe pick and use them.

My trees are in ground in 6b Cincinnat.
Greenhouse and bucket lights · More Info
Trees grow so much better in ground than in pots.
juleswj thanked poncirusguy6b452xx
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Jean
7 years ago
Remove all fruit, ripe or not. The reason: Fruit gets first dibs on resources. But right now, the tree needs to survive, not produce fruit.
juleswj thanked Jean
maggyby
7 years ago
Just wanted to comment about citrus in Portugal. Hope you tree recovers ..Every Year in May for the past 6 yrs my husband and I visited the Algarve. Two years ago we visited a citrus orchard . Manuel the owner is awesome and extremely knowledgeable and even showed me how to graft trees.. He offered me trees but of course cannot import to Canada He has several varities of lemon and I am sure he can help you. He and his Dad wil, treat you like family. Visiting him was a real highlight of our trip. Here is his website Mrfrutus.com. Maggy
juleswj thanked maggyby
bossyvossy
7 years ago
I grow in ground and I didn't pick fruit, it rotted in place. Next year I will pick in advance of frost.
juleswj thanked bossyvossy

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