Lemonade Fruit – Citrus limon x reticulata

Plant family: Rutaceae

Plant origin: China, India. Lemonade Fruit are a cross breed of Meyer Lemon and Mandarin.

Fruit description: Lemonade Fruits are up to 13cm in diameter, round, dull yellow when ripe, and fragrant. Fruit is produced most of the year.

Flowers: The flowers are produced all year round. They are waxy white and fragrant.

Growing conditions: The Lemonade Fruit is an evergreen tree, up to 2.5 metres in height. You can prune it to the size and shape you want. It does very well and looks great in a pot. Lemonade Fruit, like all other citrus, like well-drained, well-prepared soil and plenty of sunshine. Fertilise the established plant at least twice a year, or more often with less fertiliser. Do not allow mulch to touch the stem or it can cause rot.

Uses: Lemonade Fruit are sweeter than lemons and much less bitter, so they can be eaten fresh. Lemonade Fruit can be used in cooking like a lemon, such as cakes, biscuits, icing, juice, salad, pickles, marmalade, marinades, dips, complimenting fruits, vegetables, meat, and seafood. The juice is acidic but sweeter than a lemon so makes a refreshing and delicious drink. It is rich in vitamin C. Unripe green fruit can be eaten in Summer, for a refreshing and rehydrating snack. Lemonade Fruit become very juicy in late Winter and Spring.

Medicinal uses: The juice can relieve the symptoms of a cold, especially when mixed with hot water and honey.

Pollination requirements: Self-Pollinating.

Harvest time Lemonade Fruit can be picked all year. They are green when unripe, yellow when ripe. Pick them when they are ripe, with a bit of stem left on. They keep quite well at room temperature, better under refrigeration or in a cool, ventilated place.

Plant relatives Related to other citrus species including Lemon, Lime, Mandarin, Orange, Tangelo, Tangerine, Kumquat, Finger Lime, Kaffir Lime, Grapefruit, Buddha’s Hand Citron, Calamondin, Variegated Calamondin, Pummelo

Special features:

Grown by method: Grafted Pot size: 6 litre

Plant growing Height and Width for pots or in the ground planting: Grows to 2 metres high by 2 metres wide if Planted in a Pot. Grows 2.5 metres high by 2.5 metres wide if Planted in the Ground.

Shipping plant pot or planter bag size: 6 litre