Dwarf Meyer Lemon potted May 23, 2008
Regarded by many as the favorite backyard citrus tree, the Meyer lemon was introduced to the United States from China by Dutch plant explorer Frank Meyer. Meyer traveled to China several times during the early 1900s and introduced this country to hundreds of new plant species. Thought to be a cross between an acidic lemon and a mandarin, this thin-skinned and slightly sweet cousin to the lemon settled in subtropical citrus-growing regions of the United States.
For many years, the Meyer lemon was considered more of an ornamental oddity and mainly thrived in people's yards. People living outside the citrus belt didn't have the chance to acquaint themselves with this new lemon variety because its thin skin and delicate structure made it virtually impossible to distribute commercially.
Around the same time, a man by the name of Floyd Dillon had moved to Northern California to try his hand at the dwarf wholesale nursery business, according to his great-grandson, Aaron Dillon, a fourth-generation grower at Four Winds Growers in Fremont. Fortuitously, a woman living in nearby Brentwood contacted him about a beautiful Meyer lemon tree that she had growing in her yard. And, with these buds, Dillon propagated the Meyer for several years.
In the 1960s, with the threat of eradicating all Meyers because of a citrus tristeza virus that could harm the commercial citrus industry, the California Department of Agriculture screened all supposed clean stock and concluded that Four Winds Growers had the only virus-free selections. Aaron Dillon says, "This plant, that can be traced back to Floyd Dillon, became the source for all bud wood used for the Improved Meyer lemon program."
Today, Four Winds Growers is California's, if not the nation's, leader in the selling and propagating of dwarf Improved Meyer lemon trees. Their nationwide distribution, coupled with the Improved Meyer's growing popularity in restaurants and home kitchens, will hopefully have a positive impact on its future. It also doesn't hurt that it's an amazingly easy fruit tree to grow.
Cultivation: The dwarf Improved Meyer lemon can be planted in the ground in warmer regions of California or in a large container where the threat of frost is present (so that it can be sheltered if necessary). As with other citrus, amend the soil with 4 to 6 inches of organic matter in the hole; or, use a high-quality potting soil for your container. Apply a 2-inch layer of mulch after planting to protect roots.
Meyers are hungry trees since they can bloom and fruit simultaneously. Feed monthly, year round, with a granular or liquid fertilizer specially formulated for citrus plants. Maximize the absorption rate by feeding a couple of hours after watering. And, don't forget to water thoroughly, possibly daily during the summer months if planted in pots.
Since the dwarf Improved Meyer typically doesn't exceed 8 feet, it's a great tree to espalier against a south-facing fence or wall. By growing on a trellis or similar structure, these sweet lemons can be harvested easily and can provide a screen from an undesirable view. Remove unwanted pests such as aphids and mealybugs with a blast of water or non-toxic insecticidal soap.
Improved Meyers have a compact growing habit and don't need to be pruned, but suckers growing below the bud union should be removed so that the tree can remain healthy and produce superior fruit. Ripening can take up to a year and the fruit will continue to mature and turn a deep yellow-orange color until picked.
