WHEN life gives you lemons... make sure they’re giant ones. That was the saying at the University of Oxford’s Botanic Garden yesterday.

Trainee horticulturalist Emily Sharpe was proudly inspecting the yellow creation in the garden’s conservatory.

Miss Sharpe said: “The plants are very slow growers. They can weigh up to 2.5 kg. We are pleased we are able to grow the citrus fruit in the conservatory and I’m happy with the result.”

The giant lemon, known as the Citrus Medica, can measure up to 30cm by 20cm.

A monster of the citrus world, it is about 10 times the size of its smaller cousin. The plants grow in the conservatory – there’s no special secret, just warmth, light, and Mediterranean conditions.

The fruit has now reached its maximum size and is currently the only one on the plant. The gardens are open daily from 9am until 4pm.