What is a Ponderosa Lemon; Everything you want to knowWhat is a Ponderosa Lemon; Everything you want to know

Ponderosa lemons are ornamental lemons. We grow them for their large fruit. Ponderosa lemons are hybrids as large as a football. If you have ever craved lemons, but an ordinary lemon doesn’t feel enough, try the ponderosa lemon. Ponderosa lemons aren’t widely grown commercially but instead grown as an ornamental plant. 

The “Ponderosa” lemon (Citrus x limon “Ponderosa”) is not a real lemon. 

• The ponderosa lemon could be a hybrid between a lemon tree and a citron tree. 
• The ponderosa descended from a chance seedling discovered in the 1880s. 

Ponderosa is a tender lemon variety. Therefore, it is hardy only in the U.S Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. 

Ponderosa lemons use

Ponderosa lemons are not only a beauty to behold in your landscape but have an array of benefits apart from the obvious, being food. 

Listed below are some of the most common ways that ponderosa lemons are used.

1. Ornamental

Ponderosa lemons are trees that are a beautiful pieces to have in your landscape. In addition, the lemon’s glossy evergreen leaves and large yellowish-orange fruits are pleasant to look at.

The ponderosa lemons in your garden will transform it into an exotic garden immediately. As a result of having this tree in your compound, you will enjoy the aesthetic appeal and beauty of the tree.

2. Medicinal uses

Ponderosa lemons are commonly used as medicine. This is because of their astringent, diuretic, fever-relief properties.

• Astringents are commonly used as facial cleansers because of their pore closing capabilities.
• Diuretics are often used to aid in water excretion from the body
• A febrifuge is one of the arrays of drugs that are used to treat fever

Ponderosa lemons give the above medicine advantages. They’re better than over the counter alternatives since they are natural and organic.

3. Diy disinfectant

Lemon juice is not really used to disinfect surfaces because of its acidity. The cleaning agent in Ponderosa lemons is citric acid. 

An added advantage of using Ponderosa lemons for cleaning is their citrusy smell. The lemony scent is refreshing. As a result, it will give a fresh feel to whatever you are cleaning.

Ponderosa lemon recipes

Ponderosa lemons can be used in recipes the same way lemons are used. Therefore, you can use ponderosa lemons dishes. For instance, in lemonade, lemon curd, flavor dishes, desserts, and even cocktails. 

Look below for some of the most common recipes.

1. Ponderosa lemon granite (pink snow) 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Ponderosa Lemon Juice
• 2 cups Water
• 1 Egg (to test consistency)
• Sugar to taste
• 1 Tbsp. Grenadine Syrup
• 1 Tbsp. Mint, fresh, minced

Procedure:

• Firstly, place lemon juice, water, and grenadine in a bowl.
• Secondly, slowly whisk the granulated sugar into a water sugar mixture. Add 1 cup of sugar and carefully place the egg into the solution. If the egg sinks, remove the egg and add more sugar until the egg floats.
• Then add the mint and place the solution in a pan in your freezer.
• After that, wait 30 minutes and check the solution by scraping with a fork to create a slush. Repeat every 30 minutes until the mixture becomes a light pink slush.

2. Lemon Marmalade

Ingredients:

• 4 Lemons
• Water as required
• 2Sugar to taste

Procedure:

• Firstly, grate the zest of three lemons in a small bowl and squeeze the juice of one of the grated lemons in a separate bowl. 
• Then put the lemon juice and grated lemons aside and cut the fourth lemon into thin strips.
• After that put the lemon zest and chopped lemons in a pot and add water over them and bring it to boil. 
• Let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Strain the lemon zest and lemon pieces and repeat the boiling and strain.
• Then put the cooked lemon pieces and zest in the pot along with sugar and water. Bring it to boil over medium-high heat and simmer for 30 minutes over medium-low heat. 
• Lastly, let it cool in the pot and then keep it in a jar. The marmalade will cool on drying.

Ponderosa lemon tree thorns

Ponderosa lemon trees are thorned lemons. Although beautiful, the Ponderosa lemon tree produces large thorns. Over time, some lemon varieties have developed thorns for protection from predators like hungry animals eat the tender leaves and fruit. 

Lemons are more delicate when the tree is young; this is why many juvenile citruses have thorns while mature ones often do not. It is as though the lemons lose their thorns with age.

Lemon farmers often remove the thorns of their lemon trees as they prune. For easier harvesting, remove de-thorn your ponderosa lemon tree.

Ponderosa lemon tree care

Ponderosa lemon trees are a tender and cold-sensitive variety of lemons. One of the critical things that the farmer must do is protect them from cold winters, primarily if they are grown in a winter prone area.

The best Ponderosa lemon tree care practices include the following;

1. Watering

 Like other lemon trees, Ponderosa lemons are ‘thirsty and like water. It is crucial to water your ponderosa lemon regularly if your lemon tree is to be healthy. Watering once or twice a week should suffice.

However, it is vital for the farmer not to over-water because overwatering could be toxic to the lemon. Over-watering can cause fungal infections and root rot, damaging effects when your lemon tree, including death.

2. Fertilizing the soil

Lemon trees are heavy-feeder trees, and Ponderosa lemons are no exception. As part of your Ponderosa lemon tree care regimen, you must include fertilizing a year thrice with a nitrogen-rich slow-release fertilizer.

There are different fertilizers for citrus trees in the market, many of which are verified. You can purchase fertilizer at your local farmers’ store. The best fertilizer for Ponderosa lemons is those that have high ratios of Nitrogen.

3. Pest and disease control

There are many pests that affect the ponderosa lemon. For instance aphids, mites, and scale insects. The most common diseases for example Alternaria, and root rot diseases are transmitted by pests or caused by overwatering.

You can use neem seed oil to control pests. In addition, use insecticidal soap washes to control pests and disease. Lastly, control fungal diseases by using fungicide and copper sprays.

4. Frost protection

The ponderosa lemon trees are cold sensitive. Therefore, it is crucial to protect the lemon tree from frost. Low temperatures can result in cold burns in severe cases, death of the lemon tree. Frost may not kill mature trees but it will damage the tree. 

You can protect the lemon tree from frost by transferring them indoors ahead of winter. Suppose you can’t move the lemon tree indoors, in that case, cover the stem with an insulating blanket.

Ponderosa lemon tree for sale in Florida

You can buy a ponderosa lemon tree in Florida in the following places. 

• justfruitsandexotics.com
• backyardcitrustrees.com
• fastgrowingtrees.com
• lemoncitrustree.com
• Amazon
• eBay 

FAQs

Conclusion

Ponderosa Lemon tree is a beautiful tree to have in your compound, no doubt. Still, the sizeable football-sized fruit is what makes the whole process of farming ponderosa worthwhile. 

If you have ever access to a ponderosa lemon tree and live in the USDA hardy zone 7 through 11, grab that golden opportunity immediately.