Improved Meyer lemon

Improved Meyer lemon was Originally Posted on July 10, 2011 by lavarock

One citrus I’m growing outdoors here in Hawaii is the Improved Meyer Lemon. The Meyer, native to China is thought to be a cross between a regular lemon and a mandarin or common orange. It was imported to the U.S in the early 1800’s by an “Agricultural Explorer”, Frank Meyer.

In the 1940’s it was discovered the trees carried a virus that was effecting much of the other citrus crops and most trees were destroyed. In the 1950’s a variety was found that was virus free and was cultivated and released as the “Improved Meyer Lemon”.

Meyers have a sweeter, less acidic flavor than the more common lemon, with a dark yellow pulp and up to 10 seeds or so. The skin is thin, so it does not ship well.

At 6 to 10 feet in height, the fruit being rounder and yellower than a lemon. In some places the dwarf variety is found on balconies.

This week I have my first yellow Meyer and I will pick it and sample it soon. Photos will be added.