I live in the San Francisco area and have a lemon tree that bears the strangest fruit. The lemons are big and have a very thick rind (1 - 1.5") with very dry pulp. The tree is growing and the leaves seems healthy. What am I doing or not doing to create these inedible lemons?
Hi Trish, Perhaps you do not have a lemon! There is a related species Citrus medica, the "citron" which has, as you describe, very thick rind and rather dry (almost inedible)flesh. The skin is often rather knobbly. It is grown for jams, marmalade and candied peel. I think it is used quite a lot in making commercial "lemon" cakes etc. I am sure you will find pictures on the web which will help you decide if you have this species. Ciao BrianO
There is a lemon variety that produces VERY large fruit up to 4 inches in size, and can develop a thick rind ranging up to 1/2 - 1 inch thick, called a Ponderosa Lemon. Ponderosa Lemons are commonly known by the name Wonder Lemon. If your tree is indeed a Ponderosa Lemon tree, the leaves should be rounded at the apex and have wingless petioles (stems). The fruit is generally very juicy, if the tree has received good cultivation. It is a great tree, and you are to be considered lucky for having one. - Millet
Thanks for all the helpful info. I will post photos tomorrow to see if that helps identify what I have. Unfortunately, there is no mature fruit at the moment.
