The lemon myrtle is an Australian tree that is great for cooking and use in herbal medicines.Lemon myrtle is used in a lot of dishes.You can grow your own lemon myrtle tree if you want to.
Step 1: Take a lemon myrtle and clip it.
A healthy lemon myrtle has a stem just below a leaf that's on a branch with new growth.Try to take a cutting that's about 15 centimetres long because longer ones have a more extensive root system.The best time to cut a lemon myrtle is in the spring when there is new growth.If you don't have a lemon myrtle tree, you may be able to purchase clippings from a garden store.The seeds of a lemon myrtle tree have a very low rate of regrowth.
Step 2: The leaves need to be removed from the bottom half of the cutting.
You will encourage root and foliage growth if you remove the lower leaves.This will make it easier for your lemon myrtle to grow.
Step 3: If you want a better chance of success, dip the end of the cutting in a rooting hormone.
A cutting from a lemon myrtle will grow roots on its own, but a rooting hormone will help speed the process.A stronger root system for your tree can be created by using rooting hormones.
Step 4: Choose a shaded location for your tree.
When it's young, lemon myrtle likes to be protected from the full sun.The plant will tolerate full sun in a mild climate.
Step 5: You can use pH strips.
If you want to know if your garden soil is acidic, neutral, or alkaline, you need to use a pH strip and compare it to a color chart.Lemon myrtle can grow in neutral soil, but acidic soil can cause it to turn yellow.An acidic reading means warmer colors.Adding a base like limestone or wood ash to the area where you want to plant your tree will raise the pH.The soil is alkaline when the colors are cooler.Adding sulfur or aluminum sulfate to your soil can lower the pH.Both can be found at home and garden stores.
Step 6: Poor soil drainage can be solved by adding rocks and organic material to the soil.
Lemon myrtle doesn't like to be wet.If your garden is prone to standing water, try adding a mixture of small rocks, wood chips, compost, and sand in a 15 cm layer to increase soil drainage.
Step 7: Place the cutting in the hole with a stick.
The cutting may be damaged if you push it into the ground.Press the dirt around the cutting securely after you place it in the hole.You can either plant in a pot or directly in the garden.A pot will allow you to bring your cutting inside as it grows into an established tree, but you will need to transplant it into your garden once it outgrows the pot.
Step 8: When the soil seems dry, water your lemon myrtle.
Lemon myrtle needs to be hydrated throughout the year.During the dry months of the year, water your plant because the young trees can't tolerate it.Water until the ground is saturated but not flooded during the driest months of the year.The lemon myrtle will be able to recover quickly from dry periods after about 3 years.
Step 9: It is a good idea to cover your tree during cold weather.
Lemon myrtles can tolerate some frost, but they won't produce as many leaves or flowers as trees which are grown in frost-free regions.If the temperatures fall below the freezing mark, cover your plants with sheets or a tarp.The plastic can be removed once the weather warms up.
Step 10: In the first few years, Prune your tree.
Prune the tree from the top if you want to use it as a hedge.The lower branches should be trimmed if you want it to be a tree.Pruning may be necessary in order to increase yield.
Step 11: You canfertilize your tree once a year.
You can keep your tree strong and healthy by applying an annual fertilization.Information on how much to use and when to apply can be found on the label.It's best to apply in the fall.Nitrogen will be stored until spring when your tree is entering a period of growth.
Step 12: There are raised spots that are brown or grey.
myrtle rust is an infectious disease which can eventually kill the plant.There are clumps of bright orange or yellow spores on the leaves, shoots, and stems of the plant.Young myrtles are vulnerable to myrtle rust.
Step 13: If you see signs of myrtle rust, call your local service.
myrtle rust is a concern to the wildlife of Australia and New Zealand.Call the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water, and Environment (DPIPWE) if you see any signs of myrtle rust in Australia.The ministry for primary industries in New Zealand can 888-269-5556 888-269-5556.There is no information on reporting lemon myrtle rust in South Africa and the southern United States.
Step 14: The myrtle rust can be treated with an approved fungicide.
Special permission to use certain fungicides has been granted to the public in Australia and New Zealand, where lemon myrtle is most common.One application is all it takes to treat myrtle rust.One of the active ingredients in approved fungicides are copper oxychloride, mancozeb, or triforine.