My bergamot and question about fruit...

8 years ago

I received my bergamot today from FW. It is a nice looking little tree. A few of the older leaves show deficiencies, but the new growth looks very healthy and green.

I know we've discussed this in other threads, but at what age/height do you allow your trees to go "hog wild" with fruit production? I ask bc I have a Meyer lemon tree that I calculated must be about 5+ years old - I've had it almost two years and it looked to be at least three when I got it. It's a grafted tree from RB farms. Well she (her name is Jane) is just loaded with small lemons. There are branches with 4-5 lemons. I don't know if i should thin some out. Her trunk is quite strong, so that's not an issue, but there are more on one side than the other so I may need to put in a stake at the other side of the pot to keep her from tipping over. Amy advice??

Thanks guys! I've been checking in here and there, but now that school started I'm actually busier bc I homeschool my younger two.

Featured Answer

johnmerr

8 years ago

I don't know much about Bergamot; except its contribution to Earl Grey tea. As for the Meyer, a 5 year old tree should self thin without help; it is in the first 2-3 years it needs thinning or it will produce too much fruit and "forget" to grow.

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Comments (11)

Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you John. I was hoping you would chime in. I will just let her go then. It is amazing to see such a relatively small tree produce so many lemons. Oh and she is also blooming! I have yet to have a tree (except the kumquats and calamondins who have small fruit) that produces as much as my Meyers.
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myermike_1micha
8 years ago
Laura, I am with John and what very beautiful tree. I am sure that thing will explode in your care!~)
Susanne Michigan Zone 5/6
8 years ago
That bergamot looks very nice for entry size. Looking forward to see it grow :) (hoping ;). )
Amy (montreal, canada)
8 years ago
Hi Laura,

I vote for the letting your meyer self thin. Oh it must be a very beautiful tree with all the fruits and blooms!
jinnylea
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Laura, that is a nice looking, little, Bergamot tree you received. I am still procrastinating on whether to purchase one from Four Winds while they still have them in stock , (I swore I was not going to order from them anymore! :D) or to just wait for Harris to have them available and back in stock . Waiting for Ruth to message me back..

Your Meyer tree must be so lovely. ♡
Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author
8 years ago
I'll try to post pics tomorrow. I don't know what to tell you about that tough decision. Only thing I will say is that it does look healthy albeit small. I got another reptibark shipment today (uPS guy probably hates my guts ;-) so I'll try to get it potted tomorrow or this weekend.
Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author
8 years ago
A few days late, but here they are:
I also just noticed this morning that this tree and all my Meyers are sprouting buds from many many branches. I think I've seen John say that it is the time of year for this, but I wonder how they will support all that growth and fruit. I guess they will need lots of food. I sure hope the weather stays warm for at least another month...
Susanne Michigan Zone 5/6
8 years ago
Laura I love your trees. I just hope I can get close to that green one day. The cuttings from Kieffer and persian are still very green and I'm hopeful. Nagami died :(
jinnylea
8 years ago
Beautiful Meyer tree, Laura. That is one productive tree and it looks like it will give you plenty of lemons for pie etc.. jealous :D
Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks guys! I will post updates as the fruit grows and we can exchange recipes ;-)