The Meyer lemon is about halfway to full bloom now, and it smells heavenly in my dining room. Its wonderful lemony perfume that wafts through the house, especially when the heater kicks on and swirls the scent around. And the pristine white (which I usually am ambivalent about at best) blooms are gorgeous in their elegant simplicity.
At first I thought that I would just enjoy the fragrance and flowers... but after so many people commented about waiting on a crop of Meyer lemons themselves I had an about-face and decided to try for the trifecta. I feel a little silly and inept going around to all of the blooms with the soft paintbrush every day (like a fumbling but enthusiastic 15-year-old boy?!) but I'm really not sure when exactly to pollinate, so I'm covering all my bases.
I understand that I won't get to enjoy the lemons themselves until next year... but I'll know whether any of my ministrations bear fruit--literally--in the next few months, I think! Stay tuned...
16 comments:
These photos bring back the memory of the first time I came into contact with that marvelous scent. Aaaahhhh I could almost smell it again. Well worth the effort of Painting your way around the blossoms.
File this under "Gardeners Do the Wackiest Things." I hope it works and you get lots of lemons.
I can almost smell it ;-)
I hope all of your efforts results in bearing fruit for you.
I had a gathering of folks recently at my place, and someone brought a lemon meringue pie made with fresh meyer lemons. It was to die for! So I'm thinking your hard work will be worth it in the long run! (This friend who brought the pie has her lemon tree in the ground, in a nice protected walled-in garden. I'm a bit further north and don't have such a protected area - and mine that I put in the garden didn't make it, unfortunately.)
I'm a 'crazed' Meyer lemon fan, Kim, all I ever use when I can find them (now I know where to go, you just might find me on your doorstep)! Wishing you a bountiful harvest & Happy Thanksgiving :)
How exciting! An indoor lemon tree is one of my dreams, but it is as yet unfulfilled.
I've never had the pleasure of enjoying their scent, but i am wishing I could! Have a good week and a Happy Thanksgiving. gail
I hope you have many lemons in the future...LOL WG xxx
How am I getting on at Barleycorn? Come for a little visit...long time no see...
http://ourlittlecornerofparadise.blogspot.com/2009/11/surrounded-by-beauty.html
I can only dream about one day seeing a lemon or orange or other citrus tree growing outdoors...never tried one inside because I just figure they're a bit too finicky for my indoor gardening skills. Good luck with your ministrations...;-)
Ever since I saw photos of Annie in Austin's Meyer Lemon tree I've wanted one, but thought it too cold here to try. You've given me knew hope!
I adore all things lemon and would dearly love to have that perfume wafting through the air.
I had no idea about the pollinating thing. I'll be very interested to see how well your ministrations are rewarded.
Guess what? I noticed a couple of days ago that the Cerinthe Major has a flower!! At this late stage! I'm as excited as a two-year-old :)
My garden has a little bit of yours in it ;)
Congratulations on the blooms! I hope you get all the lemons you can handle, yet enjoy good fortune so as not to "make lemonade". (BTW, it's only dirty the first time ;-)
I have tickled, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and pomgranites with good results. We have a shortage of bees. Keep tickling
You are gross. (When I was 15 I didn't fumble. Ahem.)
If I had more direct light indoors, this would be a great idea for me too.
I had a beautiful dwarf meyer lemon tree which did not survive my last move. Your post brings back memories of the gorgeous fragrance from the blossoms. Miss that tree.
Even the comments are juicy! Pam's mention of the lemon meringue pie reminds me I have a couple of ripe lemons ready for adventure ;-]
Good luck with the paintbrush technique, Kim - it's worked for me in the past.
Happy 2010!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
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