How to Keep Your Lemon Plant Healthy

Grow lemons in warm, temperate areas as lemons have the least tolerance for cold in all citrus fruit, according to Texas A&M University Extension. Defoliation occurs at 22 to 24 degrees F. and there is severe damage at 20 degrees F.

Plant lemon tree in moist, well-drained, clay loam for best growth. The plants however also tolerate poor quality, low fertile soils but growth is less vigorous. Maintain soil pH between 5.5 to 6.5 and use lime to raise pH in severely acidic soils.

Irrigate new plants every day during the initial weeks of planting then at an interval of seven to 10 days as the tree becomes established.

Eliminate all weeds and grasses from around the young plant to reduce competition. Use a contact, systemic herbicide on the weeds, avoiding contact of the chemical with the bark and foliage of the lemon tree. You can cover the bark at the base of the tree with aluminum foil during herbicide use to minimize damage.

Avoid using mulch around the lemon trees as this makes tree susceptible to the fatal foot rot disease. If you still feel the need to mulch, start applying material 12 inches away from the trunk base.

Apply fertilizers minimally to lemon tree until plants are well established. Texas A&M University Extension recommends the use of 1 cup of ammonium sulphate, 21-0-0 applied three to four time during the entire first year. Increase amount to 2 cups in the next year and to 3 cups in the third year of growth.