I started picking some of my lemons this week-- actually the dogs started it-- they knocked one off, but it was green. I decided to cut it to see how it tasted and it was pretty much like a ripe lemon. Since lemonade is my favorite way to use lemons and this heat is a perfect time to have some lemonade, I decided to start picking. They may get a little better when they are fully ripe, but they are not bad now!

I start picking Meyer lemons when they show hints of yellow on their green skin. The lemon flavor and tartness are actually better for my use at that stage than later when they become sweeter.

These Lisbon lemons are as green as limes. They are my first lemons from this tree, so I don't really know when they will be at their best, but with over 100 on the tree, I will have plenty of time for sampling.

A hundred lemons I have 8 Meyers which have changed to full yellow.
and a couple more getting close. The rest wont be ready till text summer.
I'm envious ... oh well thats what you get for living in Canada

Greg

I have stopped counting my lemons. I let more than 20 family friends have free access to them and still have more than enough left.

Well I always have Calamondins to replace any of the lemon recipes. And that one, I give restricted access.

Joe, you should have brought some fruit with you when you came north. Canada has no import restrictions on fresh citrus...

How do calamondins do in cool climates? I had one a couple of years ago but it croaked when we went on holidays and the "help" killed it.

This Lisbon went from zero to about a hundred in just one year-- It is only 4 years old, but now over 10 ft tall. I have grafted 3 different varieties of grapefruit, 3 calamondin buds, a hamlin orange, a mineola tangelo, a murcott, and 2 ponkan mandarin bud on it in the last year. If the production doubles next year, we will have enough to supply neighbors, but I think I can use a hundred this year just for lemonade.

Skeet, You have a whole produce section in one tree ! I am impressed.I have plans to do something similar with a potted Eureka that otherwise isn't doing well. Eurekas will not survive in the ground here... Maybe my Harvey lemon will?

G.

Hi Greg,
I am just a poor imatation of our good friend Joe. I'm just a beginner, but pretty much everything I have learned about citrus has come from this and the UBC forum.

We are also picking Meyer lemons.Many of the farms already sold their Meyer lemons and the fruits are waiting to be picked.

Here is a picture of the Lisbon lemon.

Hey Skeet - looks great! Do you like lemon meringue pie? ...I do. Give me 5 years them maybe, just maybe my plant will be that size!
G.

I do like lemon meringue pie-- I just don't like to make it-- especially the meringue. I may just have to bite that bullet though.

You can see the star ruby grapefruits in the lower right of the picture. They set right after the bud broke--there are 3 in a cluster.

I hope next year I get several of the other varieties to fruit. It will be nice to have a citrus stand at the back door.

Great idea- Citrus stand at the back door.
I'm full of Citrusenvy!

Skeet, do I see some variegated leaves in the lower left quadrant of the picture? Beautiful tree. Barbara