So I have been considering picking up another lemon variety to accompany my Eureka, Meyer, Ujukitsu and Sunquat. Two varieites that I keep reading about that seem interesting is the Bearss lemon and the Feminello Santa Teresa lemon. Does anyone have any expirience with either of these varieties? Any suggestions on another variety?

Joe

I have an in ground Bearss lemon that is about 8 years old. Last year I got over 200 lemons off the tree, many in the one pound range. Excellent flavor, excellent zest. Pretty good as far as being cold hardy at my house.

Bearss lemons are commercially the widest planted variety in Florida. The main problem with Bearss lemons, but certainly not a problem for home producers, is that the fruits are too large for the commercial market, due to consumers preferences. Therefore, Bearss lemons are picked early, while sill smaller, then artificially colored. Bearss Lemons are a great variety for a door yard lemon tree, as they generally produce more fruit per tree than does Eureka or Lisbon. - Millet (1,254-)

Thanks for the input folks! I am still rather curious about the Santa Teresa Feminello (Four Winds Growers will soon have them available) but the Bearss sounds like a sure-fire thing. If anyone else has any input or suggestions for other cultivars please let me know.

Joe

I have the Bearss and it is my favorite lemon. Excellent quality and flavor. I'll have to bud some up...

I thought the Sanbokan was everyone's favorite? I've never seen anyone selling the Bearss lemon or the Sanbokan.

Sanbokan is a sweet lemon hybrid, not a true lemon. Citrus Sulcata.

Lazz I thought it was you that told me somewhere along the line that you had a Bearss, I'd love to take one off your hands if/when you bud some. Do you know if they do well on their own roots or should they be grafted?

Reversethong, here are a couple of good links about varieties that have helped me time and time again:
http://users.kymp.net/citruspages/lemons.html This one has some info on the Bearss

http://www.citrusvariety.ucr.edu/citrus/index.html The UCR's website is fantastic also.

Joe

Joe I never tried them on their own roots. I got mine about 5-6 years ago. It is grafted to swingle.

Does anyone have any experiance with the Santa Teresa?

On a random note, are Ujukitsus ever bearing? I got one from Logees a month or so ago and it just recently has popped out a few flower buds (which I doubt will do much since the plant is only 6 or 8 inches tall) which kind of suprised me being so late in the season. The plant appears to be in good health so I do not think it is a stress related flower flush. Just curious.

Joe

No experience with Santa Teresa, but Ujukitsu blooms in the spring and ripens in the October/November timeframe. It is not everbearing.

Ned

Good to know Ned. It seems to be in good health, so I'll just have to keep an eye on it.

Joe

I don't know anything about Santa Teresa lemon, but I like the name ---it was named after the great saint of the church, Saint Teresa of Avila. It must be a wonderful tree. I'll have to add one to my collection. - Millet (1,254-)

Millet it is a Feminello type lemon and the only reason I know about it is that Four Winds has had it listed as a variety comming soon since late winter. It sounds like an interesting variety but I might just stick with getting a Bearss sometime soon. I have a few other varieties I would like to get before both though (miyagawa, nules and cara cara mainly).

Joe

Yes, I know that the Santa Teresa Lemon came about as a selection from the Feminello lemons of Italy. Therefore, it must be almost identical to the Feminello. Maybe a little earlier maturing,, or later producing or something along that line. In Italy Feminello lemons are that countries most widely grown lemon variety, and can be made to produce four times a year. - Millet (1,254-