Orange and Lemon Trees
These are favorites for parlor culture, and easily grown. Their treatment is almost identical with that required for the camellia: the same soil, the same temperature, and the same general treatment will produce success in the culture of both.
But they are by no means so clean plants as the camellia, being very subject to scale and mealy bug. The only remedy is constant washing, both of the stem and leaves, with a weak soap-suds warm, and applied with a soft cloth. Grown in large tubs they do well in a parlor if kept sufficiently cool, and in summer succeed well out of doors.
They are thirsty plants and require much water: good
drainage is essential. From December to March they will make but little growth; then water moderately. About the first of March growth begins, succeeded by bloom; and then give more water. After the young growth becomes hardened, they may be set outdoors if the weather is favorable.
A violent wind disfigures the foliage. The young
fruit will set in April and May, and will continue green all summer, coloring the next spring, and holding on the tree a long time. At the first approach of frost, the plants should be removed to their winter quarters. The lemon does not bloom and fruit as early as the orange [http://www.ehomeandgardensite.com/yard-care/culturing-window-plants.html], and is of taller growth and less fitted for the parlor: the blossoms are smaller and purplish outside.
The little dwarf "Otaheite orange" is a very common
variety, and is always noticeable for its profusion of fruit. The flowers are not as fine as the other kinds, though plentifully produced. The fruit is sweet, but without flavor.
The Mandarin orange is one of the finest species (dwarf), and producing an abundance of fruit of the most exquisite flavor. Unfortunately it is not common. There are many other larger growing species, all of which produce a profusion of white flowers, exquisitely fragrant.
Among these, the myrtle leaved is conspicuous for its
shining foliage, and the large shaddock for its enormous white flowers. The former is as symmetrical in its growth as the latter is tall and ungainly. Oranges and lemons raised from seed must attain a large size before they will bloom.
The better plan is to graft or rather bud the seedling when about a year old. This operation is simple, but is best performed in a green-house and it is therefore better to employ some neighboring florist to do it. Any variety may be budded on a common seedling stock. Oranges and lemons will live under neglect, but to grow and flower them to perfection, attention to details, especially of cleanliness, is indispensable.
But they are by no means so clean plants as the camellia, being very subject to scale and mealy bug. The only remedy is constant washing, both of the stem and leaves, with a weak soap-suds warm, and applied with a soft cloth. Grown in large tubs they do well in a parlor if kept sufficiently cool, and in summer succeed well out of doors.
They are thirsty plants and require much water: good
drainage is essential. From December to March they will make but little growth; then water moderately. About the first of March growth begins, succeeded by bloom; and then give more water. After the young growth becomes hardened, they may be set outdoors if the weather is favorable.
A violent wind disfigures the foliage. The young
fruit will set in April and May, and will continue green all summer, coloring the next spring, and holding on the tree a long time. At the first approach of frost, the plants should be removed to their winter quarters. The lemon does not bloom and fruit as early as the orange [http://www.ehomeandgardensite.com/yard-care/culturing-window-plants.html], and is of taller growth and less fitted for the parlor: the blossoms are smaller and purplish outside.
The little dwarf "Otaheite orange" is a very common
variety, and is always noticeable for its profusion of fruit. The flowers are not as fine as the other kinds, though plentifully produced. The fruit is sweet, but without flavor.
The Mandarin orange is one of the finest species (dwarf), and producing an abundance of fruit of the most exquisite flavor. Unfortunately it is not common. There are many other larger growing species, all of which produce a profusion of white flowers, exquisitely fragrant.
Among these, the myrtle leaved is conspicuous for its
shining foliage, and the large shaddock for its enormous white flowers. The former is as symmetrical in its growth as the latter is tall and ungainly. Oranges and lemons raised from seed must attain a large size before they will bloom.
The better plan is to graft or rather bud the seedling when about a year old. This operation is simple, but is best performed in a green-house and it is therefore better to employ some neighboring florist to do it. Any variety may be budded on a common seedling stock. Oranges and lemons will live under neglect, but to grow and flower them to perfection, attention to details, especially of cleanliness, is indispensable.
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