40 tree home operation
Morss runs a very small operation of only 40 trees grown in the backyard of her ¾ acre Emerald Hills home. She originally intended to divide her property when she retired; however zoning regulations precluded this. Instead, she planted a rarely discussed, but highly popular variety of citrus. “I’d never seen Meyer lemons until a bag was delivered to me as a gift,” states Morss, “I was sold then. They have an unbelievable flavor, it’s like eating lemonade.”
No flowering for 5 years
Following the advice from the nursery which sold Morss her grove of Meyer lemon trees, she did not allow a single tree to flower for five years. In her first crop year, Morss’s trees produced 6000lbs of lemons. “I took the lemons to Google, who has 17 restaurants on their headquarter campus,” explains Morss, “I met with the executive chef and presented him a gift bag of lemons along with a proposal. They loved the lemons and ordered 350 pounds a week.”
Picking 200-500lb a week
After the recession hit, Google cut back on everything. Morss created her own website in order to reach individual customers. Currently her email list is comprised of 2500 addresses with her furthest buyer in Moscow. “I’ll send out an email at the beginning of the season and pick 200lbs a week to fill early orders,” states Morss, “By the end of the season we’re picking 400-500lbs a week to satisfy the demand.”
Lemons like Californian Mediterranean environment
Meyer Lemons thrive in California’s Mediterranean-like climate and are not often found in other citrus growing states like Arizona, Texas, and Florida as it tends to be too warm. However, since the majority of Meyer lemons are concentrated in California, citrus ‘greening’ disease is a bigger threat. “Last year only one tree in California showed the effects of greening disease but now the quarantine is up to Santa Clara County,” declares Morss. “It’s a real worry because there is no treatment for prevention or cure. We will lose the trees.”
Drought makes more susceptible to greening
The drought causes added stress to the trees which makes them more susceptible to the disease. Normally California would see on average 22 inches of rain throughout June. Rainfall so far has been three inches. “The ground water is all depleted, if there is no rain in this winter, California is in trouble,” adds Morss. , “All the baby fruit is falling off my trees.”
Member of CNG
Lemon Ladies Orchard is a member of CNG (certified naturally grown), which is an organization for organic orchards and farms too small to be certified organic through CCOF. With her small operation, the cost of certification didn’t appeal to Morss. “I signed a statement for CNG saying I am using organic methods,” explains Morss, “As a member, I am required to inspect another operation as another member is charged with examining mine to ensure we adhere to CNG standards of growing organic or better.”
Natural recipe
Morss does not use any petroleum on her Meyer lemon trees and instead opts to use natural methods like canola oil or soapy water to circumvent aphid and other insect attacks. “I also use water, sunshine, love, and organic fertilizer,” Morss adds.
For more information please contact:
Karen Morss
Owner
Lemon Ladies Orchard
Tel: 650.363.1600
KarenMorss@gmail.com
www.lemonladies.com
www.naturallygrown.org