Description

Lemon Seedlings

Brighten your farm with Organic Farm’s certified lemon seedlings (Citrus limon), featuring high-yielding varieties like Eureka, Lisbon, and Meyer. These tangy, nutrient-rich fruits, packed with vitamin C, antioxidants, and flavonoids, are a staple in Kenya’s culinary, medicinal, and beverage industries, with growing export potential. Organically propagated in Muranga, Kenya, our KEPHIS-certified seedlings are selected for vigor, disease resistance, and adaptability, making them ideal for small-scale and commercial farmers seeking a profitable, low-maintenance crop.

Benefits of Lemon Farming

• Nutritional Value: High in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, lemons support immunity, digestion, and skin health, with uses in natural remedies and detox drinks.

• Versatile Uses: Used fresh in juices, teas, desserts, or processed into concentrates, essential oils, and cleaning products; rinds yield pectin and animal feed.

• High Profitability: Yields 10–20 tonnes per acre, fetching KSh 50–100/kg locally and KSh 200/kg for exports, generating KSh 500,000–2 million per acre annually. Kenya exports lemons to the Middle East and Europe.

• Resilience: Drought-tolerant and adaptable to various soils, lemons thrive with minimal inputs, producing year-round in warm climates.

Favorable Climates for Lemons in Kenya

Lemons thrive in warm, tropical to subtropical climates with temperatures of 15–30°C and annual rainfall of 800–1,200mm, supplemented by irrigation in drier areas.

Suitable Regions in Kenya

• Coastal Kenya: Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale

• Eastern Kenya: Machakos, Makueni, Kitui

• Central Kenya: Murang’a, Thika, Nyeri

• Rift Valley: Nakuru, Baringo

• Western Kenya: Bungoma, Siaya, Kisumu

Soil Requirements

• Soil Type: Well-drained sandy loam or loamy soils; avoid heavy clay or waterlogged areas.

• Soil pH: 5.5–7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral); amend with lime if too acidic.

• Nutrients: Rich in organic matter; incorporate manure or compost.

• Altitude: 0–2,000 meters above sea level; best yields below 1,500m.

Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Lemons

Site Preparation

• Choose a sunny site with 6–8 hours of sunlight and protection from strong winds; install windbreaks if necessary.

• Clear weeds, rocks, and debris; plow to loosen soil and ensure proper drainage.

• Test soil pH and enrich with organic matter to boost fertility.

Hole Preparation

• Dig holes 60cm x 60cm x 60cm (2 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft), spaced 5–6m apart (100–150 trees per acre) depending on variety.

• Mix topsoil with 15–20kg well-decomposed manure and 125g double superphosphate fertilizer.

Planting Seedlings

• Use KEPHIS-certified seedlings from trusted nurseries like Organic Farm for consistent quality and disease resistance.

• Plant in early rainy seasons (March–May or October–November), placing seedlings at nursery depth with roots spread naturally; backfill, firm gently, and water thoroughly.

• Soak roots in water for 2–3 hours before planting to reduce transplant shock.

Mulching

• Apply 2–3 inches of organic mulch (e.g., straw, wood chips) around the base to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and enrich soil, keeping mulch 5cm from the trunk.

Caring for Lemon Trees

• Irrigation: Water young seedlings every 2–3 days (20–30 liters weekly) during dry periods; mature trees require irrigation during fruiting to prevent fruit drop. Use drip irrigation for efficiency.

• Fertilization: Apply NPK 10:10:10 or organic compost twice yearly for young trees; mature trees benefit from nitrogen-rich fertilizers (e.g., CAN) and foliar sprays with micronutrients. Base applications on soil tests.

• Pruning: Prune annually to remove dead, diseased, or low branches, shape the canopy, and improve air circulation; maintain tree height at 3–4m for easy harvesting.

• Pest and Disease Control: Monitor for pests (citrus leaf miners, aphids, fruit flies) and diseases (citrus greening, anthracnose, gummosis); use neem oil, pheromone traps, or fungicides like RANSOM 600WP. Maintain orchard hygiene to minimize risks.

Plant Population and Spacing

• Spacing: 5–6m (16.5–20 ft) for standard varieties like Eureka; 4–5m for dwarf varieties like Meyer.

• Population: 100–150 trees per acre, depending on variety and irrigation system.

Expected Production

• Per Tree: 100–200 kg of fruit annually at maturity (3–5 years), with Eureka and Lisbon yielding up to 500 fruits per tree.

• Per Acre: 10–20 tonnes per acre, yielding KSh 500,000–2 million at KSh 50–100/kg, depending on market and management.

• Fruiting Timeline: Begins 2–3 years after planting, with peak production at 5–7 years; trees produce year-round, with peak harvests in rainy seasons.

Why Choose Organic Farm’s Lemon Seedlings?

Organic Farm is a trusted leader in sustainable agriculture in Kenya, empowering farmers with quality inputs. Our lemon seedlings offer:

• KEPHIS-Certified Quality: Propagated from select varieties (Eureka, Lisbon, Meyer) for high yields, flavor, and disease resistance, certified by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service.

• Superior Varieties:

  • Eureka: High-yielding, seedless, juicy, ideal for commercial juice and fresh markets.

  • Lisbon: Vigorous, thorny, high juice content, suited for processing and exports.

  • Meyer: Dwarf, sweeter, cold-tolerant, perfect for home gardens and small farms.

• Expert Support: Agronomic guidance on planting, pest control, irrigation, and market linkages for local and export markets.

• Eco-Friendly Practices: Organic propagation ensures soil health and biodiversity, aligned with good agricultural practices (GAP).

• Nationwide Delivery: Reliable shipping across Kenya (e.g., Mombasa, Murang’a, Nakuru) and East Africa.

Join Kenya’s thriving citrus industry, exporting to the Middle East and Europe, with Organic Farm’s certified lemon seedlings. Order now to establish a resilient orchard that delivers tangy, profitable harvests for decades!

Contact: oxfarmorganic@gmail.com