Lemon Lisbon - Grafted Dwarf

We share a brick wall with our neighbours, it creates what will be a lovely courtyard effect along the side of our home, just perfect for growing citrus.  So when not long after moving in, in early 2017, Grafted Dwarf Citrus came available at Aldi.  I snaffled a Lisbon Lemon grafted onto Flying Dragon Rootstock- supposedly the best rootstock for dwarf citrus varieties.
Mind you, a bit of research and a closer look at the wee plant would have been a good idea, it has thorns, great long sharp vicious things, making it a mission to cut the rotters off but they are awfully well camoflaged.

Dwarf Citrus on Flying Dragon Rootstock: prefers warm sunny position. Ideal for small gardens, courtyards or tubs and planter boxes.
Potting advice:  Place small quantity of potting mix in pot, remove plant from container, place in pot, keep bud union 10cm above soil level
Planting Advice:  Dig hole slightly larger than root system.  Remove tree from container, place in hole, keeping bud union at least 10cm above sil level.  Fill with soil, leave no air pockets
Caring for tree:  Feed within the dripline of tree with a slow release complete fertiliser or citrus food in late Winter and late Summer.  Mulch well.
Height to 1.5m x Width 1m
Full Sun
Ideal for Pots
Well drained soil.

Popped the seedling into a pot and proceeded to ignore it for a year, the only care it got was a watering from the Darling.
An inspection found the Lemon struggling with a massive number of scale and ants as well as black mould.  Thoroughly sprayed it all over with white oil (home made) and gave it a bit of complete fertiliser and it rewarded us with a burst of new growth.
Over the past 18 months it has doubled in size and with the new growth is now beginning to thicken up.  The white oil had an effect on the new leaves, but they seem to have recovered and there are also quite a few flower buds on the tree.

Now is not the time to prune and shape but will keep an eye on new growth and pinch off the spines while they are new and soft.  It will be getting another dose of white oil next week as there are still a few scale on board.
Have read to expect 3 lots of bud drop as being natural, so not removing any just yet, adopting a wait and see approach. 

16-10-18.  That bud above has formed into a lemon, there is one more on the tree, yep, two lemons.

 18-10-20  Sprayed with White Oil (home made)


20-10-18
The two lemons continue to swell, the rains do not seem to have effected the lemon tree.  It is just starting to send out new growth