[starry]

I brought a small lemon "plant" a few weeks ago that is growing on a small frame (it has 1 lemon on it) as it grows do I just let it carry on growing around the frame, the frame isnt very big 

[arugula]

I would remove the frame.

I've linked to the RHS advice on growing lemons and you can read in full there about growing, training and pruning.

[starry]

Hi thanks for your reply but if I removed the frame I would just have one long branch just hanging I read the RHS advice (thank you again) but it really only advises on tree shaping and I am loathed to chop to much off wish I had brought a small tree now but it wouldn't have fitted on my conservatory window sill!! 

[sunshineband]

If you cannot remove the frame safely, you will need to ensure you keep the tree carefully pruned onto it.

Lemons pretty much flower continuously if they are well fed (use citrus food) but flower on old wood, not new growth. This means that you can trim off anything that grows too long and gangly, whilst training new growth onto your frame to flower in future years.

Hope that makes sense and doesn't contradict the RHS at all

[arugula]

It sounds as though the plant is a bit leggy. Having grown orange and lemon plants in the past, I would expect your plant to be able to support itself. It sounds as though it may need chopping back, but the RHS advice is to do this early in the year, not now:

"Training and pruning

Citrus require only minimal pruning.

In February, reshape plants by thinning out overcrowded branches. ‘Leggy’ plants can be pruned back by up to two-thirds and the tallest branch can be cut back to encourage bushy growth.

Throughout the summer, pinch back the tips of the most vigorous growth, using the thumb and forefinger.

Mature plants may produce unwanted, fast-growing shoots called ‘water shoots’. Remove these when they appear from the main branches at the bottom or middle of the plant and shorten those arising near the branch tips. Be especially watchful for shoots from below the graft on the main stem, and remove such shoots immediately.

When pruning, take care to avoid vicious thorns."

You could perhaps trim it a bit now - if it was mine I'd give it a thorough trim, but it isn't - and keep it supported for now even if you have to change the framework to something stronger.

[sunshineband]

Throughout the summer, pinch back the tips of the most vigorous growth, using the thumb and forefinger.


That's what I should have said rather than 'trim off'.... sorry!

(Thanks Argyllie  )

[starry]

ok thanks again all I will have a good long look at it and see what I can do, I dont like the frame very so may replace it with a bigger one or take my chances!!