Hand-Pollinating Indoor Meyer Lemon Trees for Reliable Fruit Set

Q: I had a dozen lemons the first summer. Last winter it had a few blooms every few days but they fell off quickly and were small. It lost many leaves. Last summer it grew but bore no fruit. I fertilized monthly. Blossoms are blooming now and larger than last winter.

It probably needs help with pollination. Although Meyer lemon has perfect flowers, indoors without wind or insects, pollination is erratic.

Use a cotton swab or small brush to transfer yellow pollen to the "bulby" stalk in the center of each flower. Do this every few days while indoors. Pollination will likely occur and you'll see little fruit form.