Lemon trees are extremely beautiful and although they come from the Mediterranean region, they thrive well as potted plants in this country. Like all other plants in pots, the lemon tree also requires special care. It should be watered and fertilized regularly and repotted as needed if it grows quickly. In addition to classic fertilizers, which are an important part of the care routine, there are also some home remedies that can be used to provide plants with the nutrients they need. Today we'll look at the question of whether you can fertilize a lemon tree with coffee grounds and give a few useful tips to ensure that the citrus plant thrives.
When and how often should you fertilize citrus trees?
Citrus trees such as lemons need to be fertilized regularly during the growing season. Starting in early spring (around April), you start fertilizing the plant every 4 to 6 weeks. This promotes both shoot growth and new growth. You should also adhere to these intervals in summer and early autumn, although you can stop fertilizing from October onwards. In the colder half of the year, the plant has a resting phase and does not need to be fertilized, otherwise the roots can be put under unnecessary strain.
Important NOTE:when you plant the lemon tree in springrepot in fresh soil, you have to wait a few weeks until the first fertilization.
Which fertilizer is right for the lemon tree?
Since lemon trees in this country only grow in containers, they need additional nutrients during the growing season. The right fertilizer for the citrus plant should be rich in nitrogen (N) and contain a high proportion of potassium (K). The proportion of phosphate (P) may be lower because there is usually enough of it in the soil. So if you choose an NPK fertilizer, it should provide these nutrients in a 3:1:2 ratio. The micronutrients needed for citrus plants include boron, manganese and iron.
Even if plants regularly receive a balanced fertilizer, their growth can still be supported with home remedies. Coffee grounds are one of the most popular natural fertilizers that you can use household waste products for. It should be noted thatNot all plants like coffee grounds. But what about citrus plants? Since they like slightly acidic soil, it is entirely possible to fertilize the lemon tree with coffee grounds. The dried coffee grounds also have a high nitrogen content, which is important for the Mediterranean plant. Nevertheless, you have to use the home remedy sparingly, otherwise the soil can become acidic, which can damage the roots of the lemon tree.
Fertilizing lemon trees with coffee grounds: tips and methods for use
There are two ways to use coffee grounds as fertilizer for the lemon tree: either directly in the soil or together with the compost.
Ideally shouldCoffee grounds compostedbefore using it as fertilizer for lemon trees. The compost heap is the perfect way to use up a large amount of coffee leftovers. Simply add them to the pile and after about 3 months you can use the mature compost to fertilize the lemon tree. If you use composted coffee grounds, you can apply them all year round (or during the growing phase) like any other fertilizer.
If you use the coffee groundsuse directlyIf you want, you can do this, but only in small quantities. For young lemon trees, sprinkle a thin layer (approx. 2 cm) of coffee grounds. Older trees can absorb up to 5 cm of the dried powder. It's best to mix the coffee grounds with some compost and water the plant immediately afterwards. Make sure the coffee grounds do not touch the trunk of the tree and cover it with a thin layer of soil. Water immediately to dilute the caffeine and help the roots absorb the nitrogen and calcium.
Can the home remedy cause damage?
If you put too much coffee grounds in the soil, the caffeine could kill the good bacteria and other microorganisms in the soil that break down organic matter and oxygenate the soil. This could stunt the growth of the lemon tree and even kill it in the worst case scenario. You should therefore only use the home remedy in low doses and once or twice during the growing period.
What else can you fertilize the lemon tree with?
Citrus trees, including the lemon tree, can also benefit from other natural fertilizers. If you want to support the plant in its growth, you can use mature compost or a nettle decoction in addition to coffee grounds. These natural fertilizers are rich in minerals and can also be useful if the plant has pest problems.
