HARDY PLANTS

Lemons and Pomelos in September

By mid-September, the fruits have formed but are still green.
Between sunshine and showers, we observe the ripening of the various varieties planted on the terraces.

Meyer lemon trees (Citrus meyeri).
They are settled on the terraces most sheltered from the winds.
You have to get up close to see the fruits, which are as green as the leaves.
At this stage, the lemons still don’t have enough juice to be interesting.
We’ll have to wait at least another two months to pick the bigger ones.
Meyer lemons flower two or three times a year, betwen april and september. The fruits will then mature by stages to be picked until late in the winter.
Flowering on the same tree in early September. Small fruits are still forming.
Depending on the severity of next winter, some may be picked in April.
Citradia (Citrus aurantium x Poncirus trifoliata) is much more resistant to cold.
A lemon tree for difficult locations.
This one is planted facing south-east, but rather exposed to the wind, especially from the north.
Fruits are rough and numerous but quite small, weighing less than 100 grams.
The Pomelo Enzo (Citrus paradisi) is a much more vigorous tree.
Planted two years ago (2023), this one is already quite imposing at two metres high.
The wall behind the tree covers the entire north side.
It produces its first fruits, of which there are about fifteen.
They must weigh 200 grams already, and they’re going to get even bigger.
Pomelo roses (Star Ruby) are the same species but less resistant to cold.
They face due south, but only the lower terrace is well protected from the north wind.
Planted last year (2024), they have all grown well. Some are even bearing fruit.
Pink Pomelos are a little smaller than Enzo. They are much sweeter, while retaining the grapefruit flavor.
With such heavy fruit, stakes are needed for the first few years.
This prevents damage in the event of storms, which are fairly frequent in the Alps.
Sudachi retains a shape closer to that of a shrub.
This one was planted two years ago (2023) and hasn’t yet reached a metre in height.
Sudachi are limes or green lemons, the fruits in clusters are shaped like small mandarins.
They are harvested green, from early autumn when the zests are richest in aroma, generally before mid-October.
The clementines are the only fruit to have already turned orange.
The position of the tree (Arrufatina clementine) is very exposed to the wind and it probably feels the cold more.
Behind we can see the two terraces with the more protected pink Pomelos.

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