Fruits & Nuts - Lemon
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  (November) About 25 years ago my mother used to empty ice tea glasses into a houseplant. In the days of using real lemons with seeds, a lemon tree popped up. After her death 22 years ago, I brought it into my house. I usually put it out every summer. I've "topped" it a couple of times because it would be 20 ft. tall by now if I didn't. I'd say it's about 6 1/2 ft. It has never bloomed. Why not? Are there male and female? It has thorns on it -- green and not deadly sharp.

  How much sunlight does it get when you move it outdoors? It would need a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day. A plant that large should be setting fruit. I do not know of male lemon trees, but even if that were the case, it would have to bloom to have pollen to set on the female blossom. The fact that there are no flowers could mean too low of light, or possibly hard pruning. The plant would definitely be old enough to bloom and set fruit.

  (December) I have two of the miniature citrus plants, an orange and another, lemon or tangerine, not sure. They are 4 years or more old, but have never bloomed. I take them outside on a carport or patio during the summer, and they thrive, but do not bloom. Is there something I can do to help them?

  Citrus plants need bright light year round to do best. They may also have simply not come of age yet. Give them a bright spot indoors and out, fertilize while outside and avoid any significant pruning, which may interfere with bloom.

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