Lemon trees mature faster than other citrus trees and can start bearing fruit a few years after planting. A lemon tree’s growth stages generally start from seed germination until fruiting. It’s crucial to understand the growth of a lemon tree so that you know what to expect during each period.
Germination
The cream-colored yellow or greenish seeds are tiny, have pointy ends, and are smooth. Lemon seeds can germinate in as little as a week if conditions are favorable. Germination can be seen in as little as five days.
The germination of the seed marks the beginning of the growth of your lemon tree and is when the seed begins to develop roots and tiny leaves.
Young Seedling
Lemon seeds sprout as they develop into small plants, forming roots, reasonably soft stalks, and more leaves.
The lemon tree begins to produce more mature, green leaves at this point, and the stalk becomes stronger. Young seedlings need three months to mature before being transplanted into the garden or a larger container.
Youth
Lemon tree seedlings will grow steadily as saplings and should be protected from the cold. They grow stronger trunks, thicker foliage, and thorns on their branches as they mature.
After one or two years, the seedling grows into a mature plant and prepares to undergo the flowering process. Lemon trees can bear fruit in their second year; they don’t stay young for long.
Bud Formation
When the tree is between two and five years old, it will begin to generate buds that will develop into flowers. The buds emerge during the winter and will bloom when the weather warms up in the spring.
The light purple and white flower buds open to reveal five white petals, a female-gendered pistil, and numerous pollen-carrying stamens.
Flowering and Fruiting
A lemon tree is usually between three and five years old when it begins to develop fruit. The flowering and fruiting stages happen annually after the tree matures.
Flowers appear above the leaves on sun-drenched branches in spring and early summer. These self-fertile flowers will eventually produce fruits. The more blooms on your tree, the more fruits you will be able to harvest.
Shortly after pollen reaches the pistil, the ovary is fertilized. A developing lemon can be seen peeking out from the center of the flower when it is fully opened.
Cell Expansion
The fruit grows rapidly for four to six months as the fruit’s cells take in more water and swell. Many fleshy, juice-filled segments with seeds form in the fruit. The peel or rind is green at first, similar to the leaves, but it progressively turns yellow as it grows to about 3 to 4 inches in diameter.
Ripening
Lemons can mature in four months to a year, depending on where they are planted. When fully ripe, it turns a yellow color, its shape changes, and its skin becomes smooth. At this point, the lemons should be ready for picking. In the winter, the mature tree’s fruiting phase will slow.
Drying
The lemon tree will continue growing and producing lemons until it reaches old age. Fruits turn brown at the final stage of lemon tree development. The fruits will fall off the tree if you do not pluck them. Finally, the leaves will deteriorate, the fruits will wither, and the tree trunk also becomes darker in color.
