The Novice Writer: Lemon: A Citrus Fruit.

“Lemon is a fruit, is knowledge; not keeping it with fruit salad is wisdom.”

Binomial Name : Citrus Limon

Kingdom : Plantae

Order : Sapindales

Family : Rutaceae

Genus : Citrus

Species : C.Limon

Shape/Color : Ellipsoidal Yellow Fruit

Native Place : Asia

Basic Purpose : Culinary & Non-Culinary

Taste : Tangy/Sour

pH Value : 2.2

First Grown : Thought To Have First Grown In Assam-(India).

First Literature : 10th century in an Arabic Treatise on Farming.

Origin of the Word Lemon:

• The origin of the word "lemon" may be Middle Eastern.

• The word draws from the Old French Limon.

• Then Italian Limone.

• The Arabic laymūn or līmūn.

• The Persian līmūn.

• A generic term for citrus fruit, which is a cognate of Sanskrit - nimbū, “lime”).

Many plants taste or smell similar to lemons:

• Certain cultivars of basil

• Cymbopogon (lemongrass)

• Lemon balm, a mint-like herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae family

• Lemon thyme

• Lemon verbena

Nutritional value per 100 g:

Energy : 121 kJ (29 kcal)

Carbohydrates : 9.32 g

Sugars : 2.5 g

Dietary fiber : 2.8 g

Fat : 0.3 g

Protein : 1.1 g

Vitamins :--:--

Thiamine (B1) : (3%) 0.04 mg

Riboflavin (B2) : (2%) 0.02 mg

Niacin (B3) : (1%) 0.1 mg

Pantothenic acid (B5) : (4%) 0.19 mg

Vitamin (B6) : (6%) 0.08 mg

Folate (B9) : (3%) 11 μg

Choline : (1%) 5.1 mg

Vitamin C : (64%) 53 mg

Minerals :--:--

Calcium : (3%) 26 mg

Iron : (5%) 0.6 mg

Magnesium : (2%) 8 mg

Manganese : (1%) 0.03 mg

Phosphorus : (2%) 16 mg

Potassium : (3%) 138 mg

Zinc : (1%) 0.06 mg

The health benefits of lemon include treatment of throat infections, indigestion, constipation, dental problems, fever, internal bleeding, rheumatism, burns, obesity, respiratory disorders, cholera and high blood pressure, while it also benefits your hair and skin. Known for its therapeutic property since generations, lemons help to strengthen your immune system, cleanse your stomach, and it is considered a blood purifier.

Grow One At Your Home:

You want to grow lemons but stop because you run out of space or you don’t grow it because you live in a colder region. If this is your plight then growing a lemon tree in a pot is a smart idea. Plant it on a patio, terrace or in indoors and you will be bestowed by its scented flowers and soft yellow citrus fruits. You can grow it in balcony too, Meyer lemon variety is perfect for kitchen and balcony gardens, especially for non-tropical zones.

Lemons and its Flowers

Points to Note:

• Choose a pot that is 25% bigger than the root ball of the plant. A clay pot is ideal because unlike plastic it is porous and evaporates water from sides, this helps the lemon tree to grow well as it dislikes being water logged. The quality and type of soil is an important factor too. For growing high yielding plants, use a well-draining organic potting mix.

• Requirements for Growing Lemon Tree in a Pot

Re-pot your lemon tree in every couple of years or so in the beginning of spring (in tropics winter is the best season). Your pot size should be according to the scale of your tree. Avoid too large or small planters; keep in mind to use a container that is one size bigger than your previously used pot.

• *pH level of soil should be around 5.5 to 7 as the plant prefers slightly acidic soil to neutral soil.

• Sunlight

All plants in the citrus family love full sun, around 7 to 8 hours of sunlight is essential. If growing indoors used grow light to provide adequate lighting inside.

• Watering

The lemon tree requires consistent watering to produce healthy fruits. Giving it too much or too little water can lead to blossom and fruit drop and sometimes plant may die too. Check top 2-inch layer of soil for dryness before watering. On windy and hot days, it requires more frequent watering.

~Jay Mehta