Citrus limon Cerza - Lemon Tree

The Cerza lemon’s name comes from the small Sicilian hamlet where it was discovered in 1987. This variety is still very rare but is very productive. It forms an upright tree with deep green foliage. Its branches are lined with thorns and the young shoots, as well as the flowers, are delicately tinted with purple. The beautiful oval fruits, bright yellow when ripe, are medium-sized and can be harvested from late November. Their juicy flesh is very acidic and does not contain any seeds. Sensitive to cold temperatures below -4°C (24.8 °F), it is only suitable for outdoor cultivation in mild climates; elsewhere, it is best grown in a large container, overwintered in a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory.

The lemon tree, Citrus limon in Latin, is a relatively vigorous citrus tree that forms a small tree with a rounded, spreading habit that is both ornamental and useful. It is one of the most commonly cultivated citrus trees by amateur gardeners, due to its ease of cultivation, as well as its rapid growth and fruiting. The lemon tree produces, from a young age, white flowers tinged with purple that give rise to its oval and yellow fruits when ripe, which are highly appreciated worldwide. Rich in vitamins, lemons are considered a panacea by some eminent naturopaths. Hardy to approximately -7°C (19.4 °F), lemon trees and their varieties are extensively grown in open ground throughout the Mediterranean. They also perform well in pots, to be overwintered in other areas.

The Citrus limon is a small tree from the Rutaceae family, like all citrus trees. It is probably native to the southeastern Himalayas, Assam, and Northern Myanmar, and is believed to be a hybrid between the Citron tree and the Bitter orange tree. The habit of the Citrus limon ‘Cerza’ is upright, taller than wide. It can reach a height of 3 to 5 m (9 ft 10 in to 16 ft 5 in) when grown in open ground, but will remain smaller when grown in a container. The young branches are tinged with purple, then they become more grey with age. The oval to lanceolate leaves, 5 to 10 cm (2 to 3.9 in) long and 3 to 4 cm (1.2 to 1.6 in) wide, are dark green. Flowering mainly takes place in spring, May-June, but can also occur during the summer. The purple flower buds open into small star-shaped white flowers tinged with purple. The flowering is followed by the formation of oval fruits with a small rounded bump at the apex. They measure about 6 cm (2.4 in) in diameter and 10 cm (3.9 in) in length. Their thick green skin becomes rather pale yellow when ripe. They are very rich in essential oils. The yellow-green pulp is very acidic and juicy, rich in citric acid, minerals, and vitamins C, A, and B but low in sugars.

Cultivated for its ornamental qualities as well as for its lemons, the Lemon tree is part of the culinary traditions of all regions of the world. Its use is widespread in savoury or sweet dishes and iIts juice is used in refreshing drinks or cocktails, as well as a condiment in sauces and carpaccios. The zest is often used to flavour pastries and desserts. In addition to its importance in food, the lemon tree is also a medicinal plant whose therapeutic properties, used for centuries in traditional medicine, are now scientifically proven. The zest of the lemon, which is very rich in essential oil, is widely used in aromatherapy and perfumery. Easy to store, this citrus fruit was once loaded onto sailing ships, providing a good source of vitamins to fight against scurvy. Lemon wood is used in cabinet-making.

Like all Citrus, the Citrus limon ‘Cerza’ contains essential oil pockets in its leaves, flowers, and fruits, which are often visible to the naked eye. These essential oils are extracted by distillation (flowers and leaves) or by pressing (zest) and have dermatological and cosmetic, toning, and disinfectant properties. The fragrance of the essential oil is described as fresh, pleasant, and lemony.
Most citrus trees thrive in open ground in Mediterranean coastal regions where they find the necessary heat all year round. Elsewhere, they will be grown in pots and stored indoors as soon as the first cold weather arrives. Not very hardy, the Lemon tree starts to suffer from the cold as soon as it reaches -5°C (23 °F) and dies at temperatures below -10°C (14 °F).

Flowering and pollination: The Lemon tree is a self-fertile shrub, which means that a single individual is sufficient for complete pollination and fruiting. However, if your citrus tree remains indoors permanently, you will need to occasionally allow pollinators to work or, if you feel delicate enough, perform hand pollination with a brush.