Knowing nothing about the Femminello lemon (the Santa Teresa cultivar) I came across it at my local Costco and bought the tree. I am having second thoughts now as I have 2 Meyer lemon trees, a key lime tree and a very productive Lisbon lemon tree already. How is the Santa Teresa lemon different from, say, a Lisbon lemon? I am hoping to move out one of my existing in-ground lemon trees to a container and replace it with this one. Any pros that will help me in deciding if it is worth the effort to replace an existing tree with this one? How are these lemons different from the "other lemons"?

Santa Teresa lemon, named after Saint Teresa of Avila, is very close to the Eureka lemon. The St. Teresa lemon accounts for about 75 percent of the Italian lemon crop, and is also the variety grown for lemon production in north west Argentina. Femminello St. Teresa, produces three crops per year with 60 percent maturing in September/November, 10 percent in April/June and 30 percent from June to September. It is very productive, with medium sized fruit, moderately thick rind, therefore correspondingly a little lower juice content, BUT it has a higher acidity than other varieties. Excellent lemon variety. If I had seen the Saint Teresa, I would have snapped it up, and one or two more in a heart beat. Tell me did the Saint Teresa lemon come from Four Winds Growers -- did it have a Four Winds Growers tag attached to the tree? - Millet (651-)

Millet, thanks for the detailed explanation. I am convinced that it is worth finding space for this tree in my small yard.
The tree came from Willits and Newcomb. Every year, in spring the costcos around here carry 4 ft tall citrus trees from Willits and Newcomb at very cheap prices. This year, the only mediterranean lemon trees were the Femminallo St Teresa lemons. But 3 years ago they had a whole lot of varieties of mediterraneon lemon trees.

Since your Santa Teresa tree came from Willits and Newcomb it will be a very nice full sized tree. The reason I asked if it was a Four Winds tree is because I have been waiting for two years to receive a dwarf sized Santa Teresa tree from them. They promised me that I would be first in line for shipment of a dwarf Santa Teresa tree this Spring. Well see ... as some of their last couple promises have not worked out. Regards - Millet (651-)

I'm souring on FW. Their rootstock selection and claim of true dwarf is misleading.

We are also getting the same citrus stock down here at our Costco, and I did see a few St. Teresa lemons, too. I have a Eureka (I think) as well as a Meyer, and I don't eat that many lemons, so I passed on it. If I had the room, and knew what to do with all those lemons I would have grabbed that as well as the variegated Pink Eureka. And I'm actually glad about FW not being so dwarf. I ordered a Smith Red Valencia from them and I had to laugh - it is SO tiny!!! I put it up next to the Oro Blanco I picked up at Clausen's at about the same time (note that the little FW tree is uphill and still in the container, so subtract about 8" in height to get the "real" difference). The Oro Blanco was in a 15 gal. container and cost me $42.00. The wee little Smith Red was in a tall skinny rootstock container and cost me over $60.00:



Now, in FW's defense, it was very well packaged, very healthy, is pushing out a lot of flush, and in all other respects a perfectly healthy tree. And FW caters mainly to folks growing citrus for containers. But, is still just cracks me up at the size difference. I know I live in the "land of citrus" and also live about 10 mins. away from an enormous wholesale citrus nursery where I have a well established relationship with the owner, and who treats me very well and gives me wholesale prices since I have bought a gazillion trees from him, am a Hort Society member, a CRFG member, etc. But, still, pretty funny.

I believe the Smith Red Valencia is being offered by FWG for the first time this year so only the smaller one year tree is available. In a few years the larger 2 to 3 year version should be available. The high price you had to pay is probably a reflection of the fact that the Smith Red Valencia is still relatively uncommon.

Yes, without a doubt, jrb As with all new things, there's a premium attached. But, it will be an interesting orange to have in my little orchard. I use citrus a lot in cooking and in salads, so having a "conversation piece" in my salad is always fun! And worth the little investment.