Lemon Tree Growth Stages | Understanding Complete Life Cycle

To become a skilled gardener and nurture lemon trees to their fullest potential, understanding their life cycle is essential.

Table of Contents

• Germination process
• Young Seedling 
• Youthness
• Formation of Bud
• Flowering and Fruiting Stages
• Cell Expansion
• Ripening Stage
• Drying Period
• Characteristics
• Fertilizer
  • Lemon Tree Fertilizer Application
  • Lemon Tree Fertilizer Types
• FAQs

Lemon trees mature quickly, bearing fruit just a few years after planting. From germination to fruiting, understanding their growth stages is crucial for proper care and anticipating each phase’s beauty. Enjoy the journey from seed to harvest!

Germination process

Cream-colored with yellow or greenish hues, lemon seeds are petite, featuring pointy ends and smooth surfaces. Under favorable conditions, these tiny seeds can surprise you with germination in as little as a week, sometimes even showing signs within five days.

This significant event marks the start of your lemon tree’s growth journey, as the seed sprouts roots and delicate leaves, setting the foundation for its future development.

Young Seedling 

As lemon seeds sprout, they transform into small plants, growing roots, reasonably soft stalks, and an abundance of leaves.

At this stage, the lemon tree exhibits more mature, green foliage, and its stalk gains strength. These young seedlings require approximately three months to reach maturity before they are ready for transplantation into the garden or a larger container. Witness the growth and development of these promising lemon plants, as they prepare to thrive in their new home.

Youthness

As lemon tree seedlings mature into saplings, their growth remains steady and continuous. It’s crucial to shield them from the cold during this phase. With time, these saplings develop robust trunks, thicker foliage, and branches adorned with thorns.

Within one to two years, the seedlings progress into mature plants, gearing up for the flowering process. Remarkably, lemon trees can bear fruit as early as their second year; they swiftly transition from youth to fruit-bearing maturity. Embrace the rapid development of these lemon trees, as they flourish into fruitful additions to your garden.

Formation of Bud

Between the ages of two and five years, the lemon tree enters an exciting phase of generating buds that eventually blossom into beautiful flowers. These buds emerge during the winter, awaiting the arrival of warmer spring weather to bloom.

As the buds unfurl, they reveal captivating light purple and white hues, showcasing five delicate white petals. Within the heart of the flower, a female-gendered pistil and numerous stamens laden with pollen complete the mesmerizing display.

Witness the enchanting transformation of the lemon tree, as it adorns itself with these elegant and fragrant flowers, signaling the promise of future fruit.

Flowering and Fruiting Stages

Typically, a lemon tree starts bearing fruit when it reaches the age of three to five years. Once matured, the tree goes through an annual cycle of flowering and fruiting stages.

During spring and early summer, the sunlit branches are adorned with flowers that emerge above the leaves. These self-fertile flowers hold the promise of future fruits. The more blooms your tree boasts, the greater your harvest will be.

Upon pollination, the ovary is fertilized shortly after pollen reaches the pistil. A delightful sight awaits as a developing lemon peeks out from the center of the fully opened flower, marking the beginning of fruit formation. Embrace this recurring and rewarding process as your lemon tree delights you with its annual bounty of fresh and juicy fruits.

Cell Expansion

Over the course of four to six months, the lemon fruit undergoes rapid growth. Its cells diligently absorb water, causing the fruit to swell. Within the lemon, numerous fleshy and juice-filled segments, complete with seeds, take shape.

Initially green like the leaves, the peel or rind transforms progressively, shifting to a vibrant yellow hue as it expands to approximately 3 to 4 inches in diameter.

Ripening Stage

The maturation of lemons varies from four months to a year, influenced by their planting location. When fully ripe, they adopt a luscious yellow color, undergo a shape transformation, and develop a smooth skin. This marks the ideal time for picking the lemons.

During the winter, the mature tree’s fruiting phase decelerates, allowing it to rest and conserve energy for the upcoming seasons. Embrace the changing cycles of the lemon tree, and revel in the joy of harvesting these delightful fruits at their peak ripeness.

Drying Period

Throughout its life, the lemon tree will persist in growing and bearing fruits until it reaches old age. At the final stage of its development, the fruits take on a brown hue. If not plucked, they will eventually fall off the tree.

As the tree nears the end of its life cycle, the leaves will deteriorate, and the fruits will wither. Additionally, the tree trunk will darken in color.

Related: ‘Lemon lime’ Care Guide

Characteristics

Lemon trees are characterized by several distinct features that make them unique and appealing:

1. Evergreen Foliage: Lemon trees boast lush, evergreen leaves that add a touch of vibrancy to any landscape throughout the year.
2. Fragrant Flowers: Their flowers emit a delightful fragrance, adding a refreshing aroma to the surroundings during their blooming period.
3. Juicy Fruits: Lemon trees produce juicy and tangy fruits, rich in Vitamin C, which are widely used in culinary and beverage preparations.
4. Thorny Branches: The branches of lemon trees often feature thorns, offering an extra layer of protection to the fruits from potential predators.
5. Adaptability: Lemon trees are resilient and adaptable, growing well in a variety of climates, making them suitable for various regions.
6. Self-Fertile: Many lemon tree varieties are self-fertile, meaning they can produce fruit without requiring another tree for pollination.
7. Ornamental Value: Apart from their practical uses, lemon trees have ornamental value, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of gardens and landscapes.
8. Fast Maturation: Compared to other citrus trees, lemon trees mature relatively quickly, allowing for earlier fruiting.
9. Year-Round Interest: With their evergreen nature and recurring fruiting cycles, lemon trees provide year-round interest and beauty to outdoor spaces.
10. Cultural Significance: Lemons have cultural significance in various cuisines and traditional remedies, adding to the mystique and allure of these trees.

Fertilizer

Lemon trees belong to the rue family, a group of trees and shrubs originating from Asia and Australasia, commonly known as citrus plants. To ensure fruitful growth, using lemon tree fertilizer becomes essential. Citrus plants, including lemon trees, demand significant nutrient supplies to produce abundant fruit.

A lack of nutrients can lead to unproductive lemon trees. For thriving growth, these trees require a balanced combination of both macro and micronutrients, supplied at the appropriate times and frequencies.

By providing the right nourishment in the right manner, you can foster the flourishing health of your lemon trees and enjoy the bountiful rewards of luscious, vibrant lemons.

Related: The Marble Poinsettia – Euphorbia pulcherrima

Lemon Tree Fertilizer Application

For optimal growth during the active seasons of spring and summer, it is crucial to apply lemon tree fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. However, refrain from feeding the trees during the winter months. When fertilizing, create a ring around the lemon tree, as wide as its height, allowing the nutrients to seep into the soil and nourish the entire root system effectively.

Consistent fertilization is vital while the lemon tree is growing, which usually spans around eight years. During this period, provide approximately 10kg of balanced fertilizer in total. As the tree matures, its energy and nutritional requirements lessen, making fertilization less critical. By following this fertilization regimen, you can ensure your lemon tree thrives throughout its growing journey and rewards you with an abundance of juicy lemons.

Lemon Tree Fertilizer Types

When selecting a fertilizer for lemon trees, opt for a high-nitrogen formula that isn’t overly concentrated. To assess the concentration, check the NPK ratio, where a 20-20-20 ratio indicates double the nutrients of a 10-10-10 ratio. For lemon trees, an NPK ratio with each number not exceeding eight is sufficient, with the ideal being 6-6-6. This balanced mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium ensures the tree receives essential macronutrients for robust growth and abundant, juicy fruit production.

For an extra boost or to address soil nutrient deficiencies, choose a lemon tree fertilizer that also contains essential micronutrients. These micronutrients include nickel, iron, zinc, copper, boron, manganese, molybdenum, and chlorine, which citrus trees need in trace amounts to thrive. By providing the right balance of macronutrients and micronutrients, your lemon trees will flourish, rewarding you with a delightful harvest of delicious, succulent lemons.

FAQs