Citrus limon 'Ponderosa'
Light: Full sun; in Phoenix, provide afternoon shade, especially for young trees. Avoid intense reflected heat from west-facing walls.
Water: Water deeply and allow the upper 2–3 inches of soil to dry before watering again. Increase frequency during extreme summer heat; reduce in winter. Keep irrigation away from the trunk and extend it beneath and beyond the canopy.
Soil: Well-drained soil; sandy loam preferred. Avoid waterlogged soil and planting too deeply. Phoenix’s alkaline soils may require treatment for iron deficiency.
Mature size: Typically 12–24 feet tall and 10–15 feet wide in the ground; dwarf rootstocks and container culture can keep plants approximately 6–10 feet tall.
Bloom: Primarily late winter through spring, with additional flowering possible during warm weather. Flowers and developing fruit may appear together.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.
Growth rate: Moderate.