My Lemon Tree

One reason I’d like to stay in Taiwan longer is because I passionately want to have a tropical fruit orchard. I’m no green thumb, nor do I care too much about plants in general, but I’ve always had a fascination with plants that can grow things I can EAT. Especially foods like mangoes and avocadoes.
A few weeks ago, I discovered a nursery nearby that sells all fruit trees. I’m guessing they sell mostly to farmers, but I ventured in and asked for the easiest fruit to grow. By this, I meant that I wanted results quickly with the least amount of work. The man there patiently told me that mangoes would take at least 2 years, and that they didn’t have any avocado trees. He tried to convince me that guavas were easy and that there would be fruits in 2 months.
I was almost convinced (and how could you not at 80 NT = $2 CDN), but I don’t really like guavas and the thought of putting any amount of effort into producing a fruit I didn’t like was offputting. (As I type this, I’m suddenly aware of all the moral and spiritual implications my little story could have!)
I left, sad that I wouldn’t have my tropical fruit farm.
Today, though, after weeks of humming and hawing, Kris & I went back to the nursery, and I bought myself a lemon tree! It was quite the production. I asked for a lemon tree, which cost 80NT. Then I asked about how to care for it. The lady there said to water it, and then in two months, to  give it fertilizer. Oh, I thought, there’s a problem. I don’t know how or where to buy fertilizer. She then proceeded to tell me that she could sell me a huge bag of it, and as I tried to explain that I had no other plants than the one I was about to buy, she smiled and just said she’d give me some. Then, I told her that I didn’t have a pot to plant the tree. She then sold me one for 150NT (yes, double the cost of the tree!). I then told her of my second problem: I don’t have soil. She informed me of where to buy some, to which I finally said that I was going to give up on my lemon tree dream because I couldn’t handle all of the information I needed to know to grow this poor thing. She once again smiled, and proceeded to dig up a bunch of soil for me. I almost wanted to ask if I could just keep it there and come back once in awhile to pick the fruit of their labour!
But, we made it home. I’ve watered my little tree, and will report back in two months.
All the way home, I was telling Kris about the other two plants I saw that I want to buy. One was a kiwi plant (which surprisingly,  grows like tomatoes and grapes), and the other was a mangosteen tree. I love mangosteens, but not only does it cost 750 NT, but it would also mean a huge committment – at least 3 years before a fruit would appear.
And as much as I love mangosteens, I don’t think I’m ready for another long-term relationship right now.