The Variegated Pink Lemon is an extraordinary tree indeed. The variegated pink Eureka lemon tree is a unique type of lemon tree with pink-tinged foliage. The type of cultivar this unique tree is part of is the lemon tree family, originally from Burbank, California.
Also known as the pink-fleshed Eureka lemon and the Eureka variegated pink, often referred to as the "The Pink Lemon."
Variegated pink lemons are pink on the inside. Offering these lemons a unique opportunity for plating design, styling your cocktail glasses, and dressing up good old plain lemonade into the best pink lemonade.
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🍋 What Are Variegated Lemons?
They are a type of lemon with distinctive stripes. The skin is usually green and yellow, but it can also be spotted brown or pink in coloration.
This ornamental cultivar can be identified by its thicker rind, which usually sports a greenish-yellow striping - not just random spots, but is striped.
Variegated Pink Lemons are a unique cultivar of the lemon tree that can bring interesting color and flavor to any garden. These special lemons have light pinkish-red skin with bright yellow stripes, which gives them an eye-catching appearance that captures attention wherever they're grown.
They have juicier lemon flesh and are sweeter than regular lemons, making them versatile for culinary use throughout the year.
Variegated Pink Lemons are highly sought after by gardeners who want a distinctive fruit in their landscape. Fortunately, they can be easily grown if given adequate sunshine and regularly pruned.
They are available in early summer, about 2-3 months after flowering, until late fall. They're ready to harvest when the fruit is deep pink, firm, plump, and symmetrical.
What Does Variegated Mean?
Variegated refers to plants whose leaves have different colors, often in the same leaf. This could mean stripes, patches, or flecks of color on a green background.
The variegated pink lemon is an example of a naturally occurring phenomenon known as bud sport mutation. In this instance, a single lemon tree can produce fruits that have both yellow and pinkish stripes or blotches.
This makes them visually interesting and adds complexity to the flavor profile of the fruit when it is ripe.
What Are Cultivars?
Breeders, scientists, and other horticulturalists have been developing cultivars - distinct varieties of plants with preferred characteristics such as species or flower pigmentation - for centuries.
These professionals offer us a range of unique plant specimens to select from through traditional breeding methods, genetic studies, mutation, cloning techniques, or diverse alternatives.
🍋 What Do Variegated Lemons Taste Like?
The flavor profile is not the same as you'd think when talking about lemons. They have a very unique taste, almost more fruity than acidic. The lemons produced have an intense flavor that is both sweet and tart, similar to raspberry lemonade.
Have you ever tasted a Meyer lemon before? I would begin to describe the flavor profile along those lines. It has a much softer pucker-your-lips effect and sweeter fruity notes. It is one of the best lemonades on the planet but comes at a higher cost.
How Can You Use Them?
The acidity of these tasty fruits makes them ideal for zesty dressings on salads, while their tartness is a great addition to cocktails and desserts such as lemon meringue pie.
Variegated Pink Lemons can be used in various ways, including baking, juicing, and eating them raw. They are also great for making jams and preserves.
Where Can Buy Them?
You can buy them through nurseries and garden centers specializing in exotic fruit varieties or online store websites. The citrus trees are also available from local gardening stores and plant retailers.
Why Are Variegated Lemons Pink?
The pink flesh is courtesy of lycopene, the same anti-cancer compound that gives tomatoes their bright red color and pink grapefruit its color.
The answer lies in an interesting combination of genetic factors. Variegated lemons owe their unique appearance to a process called somaclonal variation, which is when rapid changes occur in the cells of plants.
These changes cause the mutation of chloroplast genes and create a special type of lemon with uneven streaks of color on the peel.
Beyond its unusual color, this pinkish-red Eureka lemon provides all the flavor and juice you'd expect from your average lemon variety.
🍋 Grow Your Own Variegated Pink Lemon Tree
Eureka trees can be grown from seed or from cuttings. Variegated pink lemon trees, when planted from seed, may take up to 4 years to mature and produce fruit.
Cuttings will produce fruit much faster and can be used to propagate the tree. The tree prefers well-draining soil that is slightly acidic and needs plenty of sunlight and water.
When mature, the tree can reach heights of up to 10 feet or more with a spread of 8 feet or more.
Growing Tip: If the lack of water stresses the fruit tree, the lemons will grow into ordinary yellow-colored lemons and lose their visual appeal. The branches on the trees will begin to turn white/pale.
It seems the pink color is part of the love you give your fruit tree.
Planting Zones
The variegated eureka lemon is suitable for planting in-ground within USDA hardiness zones 8-11. It is best suited to warm climates with plenty of sun and mild winters, although it can tolerate a light frost.
Watering
They should be watered regularly to ensure the soil is moist but not soggy. It should receive at least an inch of water per week, although this may need to increase during periods of high heat or drought.
Fertilizer
They benefit from a balanced fertilizer applied twice each year. A slow-release fertilizer should be used and can be mixed into the soil when planting or applied to the surface of the soil.
Pruning
The tree will need regular pruning to encourage healthy growth and production of fruit. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring, and branches that are weak or diseased should be removed.
Do Citrus Trees Need Pollinators?
Yes, these trees do need a pollinator for pollination to produce fruit. The tree is self-sterile, meaning it cannot be pollinated by its own flowers. A compatible lemon variety should be planted nearby in order for the tree to produce fruit.
Grown From Cuttings
Cuttings should be taken from well-established trees and allowed to root in moist soil or potting mix. The cutting should then be planted in a sunny spot with well-draining soil and watered regularly until it is established.
This method of propagation will produce fruit much faster than growing from seed.
What Pests or Diseases Affect Pink Lemon Trees?
They can be susceptible to pests such as aphids, thrip, and scale insects. Additionally, it can be affected by diseases such as armillaria root rot, citrus greening disease, and citric viroids.
Proper tree care and regular monitoring for pests and diseases should help keep the tree healthy.
Storing Lemons
Storing Pink Variegated Lemons is relatively easy, as long as the proper precautions are taken. The lemons should be stored in a cool, dark place like the refrigerator or root cellar. If storing at room temperature, keep the lemons away from direct sunlight, and make sure to check them daily for spoilage.
Pink Variegated Lemons should be used for the best flavor within a few days of purchase. If not using them right away, it is recommended to freeze the lemons for later use. Grated rind or juice can also be frozen to maintain freshness.
Can a Lemon Tree Be Grown Indoors?
It should be placed in a sunny spot near a window, and the soil should be kept evenly moist. Additionally, the tree will need regular fertilizing and pruning to encourage healthy growth.
Can a Lemon Tree Be Grown From Seed?
Cuttings will produce fruit much faster and can be used to propagate the tree.
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