Citrus Volkameriana - Bitter Lemon

The Red Rangpur Lime (Citrus volkameriana), also known as Rangpur or Red Lemon, is a variety resulting from the crossbreeding of the lemon (Citrus limon) and the bitter orange (Citrus aurantium). The result is a very vigorous tree reaching a height of about 3 to 4 m (9 ft 10 in to 13 ft 1 in), hardy down to -7°C. Frequently used as a rootstock and tolerant to limestone, it produces small fragrant white flowers that give way to lemon-like fruits, which turn orange when ripe. The reddish-orange pulp is juicy, sweet, and tangy with a slight bitterness - perfect for enhancing certain dishes or flavouring drinks like gin. This beautiful but still relatively uncommon variety can be grown in the ground in areas where winter temperatures do not drop below -7°C (19.4 °F); elsewhere, it is preferably cultivated in a large container, overwintered in a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory.

The lemon tree, Citrus limon in Latin, is a relatively vigorous citrus tree that forms a small, spreading, round-shaped tree, both ornamental and useful. It is one of the most cultivated citrus trees by amateur gardeners, due to its ease of cultivation, as well as its rapid growth and fruiting. The lemon tree produces, from a young age, white flowers tinged with purple that give rise to its oval and yellow fruits when ripe, highly appreciated worldwide. Bursting with vitamins, the lemon is considered a panacea by some eminent naturopaths. Hardy down to about -7°C (19.4 °F), lemon trees and their varieties are extensively grown in the ground all around the Mediterranean. They also perform very well in pots, to be stored indoors during winter elsewhere.

The Citrus limon is a small tree belonging to the Rutaceae family, like all citrus trees. It is probably native to the Southeastern Himalayas, Assam, and Northern Burma, and is believed to be the result of a hybridisation between the Citron tree and the Bitter orange tree. It has a spreading habit, wider than it is tall. It can reach a height of 3 to 5 m (9 ft 10 in to 16 ft 5 in) when grown in the ground, but will stay smaller in a pot. The young branches are tinged with purple, then turn more grey with age. They bear entire, ovate to lanceolate leaves, 5 to 10 cm (2 to 3.9 in) long and 3 to 4 cm (1.2 to 1.6 in) wide, a bright and light green color. Flowering mainly occurs in spring, in May-June, but can also occur during the summer. The purple flower buds open into small star-shaped white flowers tinged with purple. The flowering is followed by the formation of oval fruits with a small rounded bump at the apex. They measure about 6 cm (2.4 in) in diameter and 10 cm (3.9 in) in length. Their thick green skin turns bright yellow when ripe. They are very rich in essential oils. The yellow-green pulp is very acidic and juicy, rich in citric acid, minerals, and vitamins C, A, and B but low in sugars.

Cultivated for its ornamental qualities as well as for its lemons, the Lemon tree is part of the culinary traditions of all regions of the world. It is widely used in savoury or sweet dishes and its juice is used in refreshing drinks or cocktails, as well as a condiment in sauces and carpaccios. The zest is often used to flavour pastries and desserts. In addition to its culinary importance, the lemon tree is also a medicinal plant whose therapeutic properties, used for centuries in traditional medicine, are now scientifically proven. The zest of the Lemon, rich in essential oils, is widely used in aromatherapy and perfumery. Easy to store, this citrus fruit was once taken on sailing ships, providing a good source of vitamins to fight against scurvy. Lemonwood is used in cabinet-making.

Like all Citrus trees, Citrus x volkmeriana contains essential oil pockets in its leaves, flowers, and fruits, often visible to the naked eye, from which dermatological and cosmetic, toning, and disinfecting properties are extracted through distillation (flowers and leaves) or pressing (zest). The fragrance of the essential oil is described as fresh, pleasant, mild, and lemony.

Most citrus trees thrive in the ground in coastal Mediterranean regions where they have the necessary year-round warmth. Elsewhere, they will be grown in pots and stored at the first signs of cold weather. Not very hardy, the Lemon tree starts to suffer from the cold at around -5°C (23 °F) and dies beyond -10°C (14 °F).

Flowering and Pollination: The Lemon tree is a self-fertile shrub, which means that a single individual is sufficient for complete pollination and fruiting. However, if your citrus tree remains indoors permanently, you will need to occasionally let pollinators do their work or, if you feel delicate enough, perform hand pollination with a brush.