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Lemon
Citrus × limon · Rutaceae
TreeHoneydew source
Fragrant fruit tree that reflowers through the year after its main spring bloom and contributes to citrus honey.
- Nectar
- Good
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 3-6 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Like other citrus, lemon flowers give good nectar and a moderate amount of pollen. The main flowering is in spring, but many lemon varieties flower again in smaller flushes in summer and autumn. This gives coastal apiaries small but valuable support during dearth periods.
Flowering
In Turkey the main flowering is from late March to May. Secretion is high on hot, humid days and in well-irrigated orchards.
Honey and honeydew
Lemon nectar is usually collected together with orange and mandarin and goes into citrus honey; pure lemon honey is rare. Insects such as citrus aphids and scale insects leave honeydew in some years, which can darken the honey.
Note for the beekeeper
- Insecticide sprays in citrus orchards during flowering cause heavy losses; keep track of the local spraying calendar.
- Placing hives near organic or neglected orchards where the risk of spraying is low is safer.