Good plant, mediocre results — what went wrong with my Lemon Tree

Lemon Tree is clearly a great plant — I can see that from other people's results. Mine has been decent but not spectacular, and I think I know why.

I underestimated the importance of thinning fruitlets in early summer to improve individual fruit size in the early stages and paid for it. biennial bearing producing a heavy crop every other year also knocked the plant back at a critical point. It lives in a sheltered south or west-facing garden wall as an espalier which is probably not quite right but it's the best I can do in my space. dual ornamental and productive value in a garden is visible but muted. winter pruning while the tree is dormant gave me hope — there are glimpses of what it could be. Three stars for now with potential for four.