Lemon trees: lemon tree growth stages

Growing a lemon tree is a reasonably simple and rewarding experience if you once understand how to grow them. It is possible to grow lemon trees both indoors and outdoors. But to grow the best tree you have to learn the lemon tree growth stages. These will help you in planting a lemon tree.

When you compare the lemon tree with others, you come to know that it grows faster than other fruit trees. You can plant it in a smaller space, you even don’t need a big backyard for it. The lemon tree bears a fruit in almost two years.

Lemon Tree Growth Stages

When you grow a lemon tree in your garden, you will notice that lemon trees grow faster than other fruit trees. A lemon tree growth stages have immense value in a world of plantations. 

The stages of a Lemon Tree begin from seed germination to bearing fruit. There are the following stages involved:

Germination 

Seeds of lemons are small and smooth, they contain a milky white hue on them. Generally the lemon tree allows germination in almost 5 to 7 days if you provide it with favorable conditions. Tiny leaves will bloom from seeds to form a lemon tree during this phase.

When the seed absorbs water and sprouts begin to merge it is an obvious sign that germination has begun. This entire process of germination typically takes between 1 and 3 weeks.

Seedling Stage

When the seed germination is successfully done, you will notice the small green leaves emerging from the soil. This phase is known as the seedling stage. Now at this stage, you can transplant the seedlings into a location where they get full sun after 3 months.

Sunlight is essential for the growth of your lemon tree. When you see once the cotyledons have emerged, the seed has entered the cotyledon stage of development. You will meet the first leaves because the cotyledons are known as the first leaves. The sprout will continue to grow and produce new leaves, developing into established stems and leaves.

Youth & Maturity

In this phase, as the seedling grows it starts becoming sapling. Here you need to protect them from cold temperatures. With the passage of time, the sapling will change into dense leaves, robust trunks, and forming branches.

At this stage, the lemon tree starts to grow into mature plants with trunks and branches. You have to take proper care of the lemon tree during this youth and maturing stages. You also have to provide them with sunlight, nutrients, and water in order to grow them but try not to overwater them.

Flowering & Fruiting

After two years of growth, this lemon tree should start forming buds. This is called lemon tree flowering stages. As the spring season appears and temperatures rise during this time, the plant should begin to emerge from the flower buds and produce little white blooms.

An amazing fact about the lemon tree is, that it’s self-pollinating which means you don’t need to struggle to pollinate it. As the procedure proceeds, a lemon tree will give way to new lemon fruits that eventually ripen into juicy treats.

You have to give a proper amount of water to produce those delicious fruits. You need to take pepper care of your baby plant because without your care it will never grow in a way you want it to grow.

Ripening Lemons

This takes around 4 months for lemons to mature. Your tree should be well-hydrated and fertilized if you want the proper growth of a fruit mixture. You need to take care of your lemon tree and fruits from pests and aphids as they are harmful to them.

If you notice any infection in the lemon tree you have to immediately cut that infected part away so that it won’t harm other branches and fruits as well. Now you will see that the lemons are smooth yellow skin and oblong in shape. The fruit size may vary from plant to plant and region to region.

Harvesting the Lemons

It’s important to wait here until your fruits are fully ripened before harvesting them. You will notice some green lemons that indicate that they are not fully ripened, they need more time to get fully ripened.  If you pick them prematurely, they will not continue growing and developing.

You can enjoy this fresh fruit at home at any time. As it is the result of your hard work and efforts, you can get nutrients, vitamins, and many other beneficial components. The only thing you have to do is give your time to it and wait for the results.

Difference Between Immature Lemons and Mature

You will find a vast difference between immature lemons and mature ones such as the metro lemon which comes under the category that is not fully matured and has grown to full size. They are basically green in color, smaller in size, and taste more bitter than fully mature lemons.

The greater sign of fully mature lemons is they are large in size, sweeter in taste, and juicy fruit. They contain smoother skin than immature lemons. So you need to wait until the lemon is fully ripe before harvesting them.

Drying

The last stage of lemon tree growth is drying, it happens when the fruits are picked up at the right time. They will become discolored and withered. So, basically they will detach from the tree. 

The lemon tree will keep developing fruits until it reaches a ripe age. After this, the growers usually save the seeds and promptly start growing a new lemon tree.

Factors Affecting Plant Growth

Factors Affecting Plant Growth	Following is a list of requirements to know in case you are growing a lemon tree in your home.
Difficulty	It seems difficult but you can achieve it after having some of its basic knowledge.
Climate	If you want to achieve positive results then bring plants from the healthy nursery and enjoy the process.
soil	They require well-drained soil.
Sunlight	Provide them with at least 8 hours of sunlight
planting	While planting this plant, you need to be careful of pests and animals
watering	Water them at times but try not to overwater
fertilizer	Fertilize them at least once a month.
pruning	If you find any infection, immediately prune that part so that it won’t affect others.
Pests&diseases	Need to be careful of pests and diseases
Harvesting	Make sure to harvest them only when the fruit is fully grown.

Best Practices for Lemon Trees 

There are some practices and needs mentioned below that can help you grow a healthy lemon tree:

Watering needs

One thing you need to maintain is the amount of water that you need to give to your plant. As it is the plant of summer it needs a sufficient amount of sunlight that’s why it needs a sufficient amount of water.

This is a fact that watering your plant at the correct time is important but it is also important to remember that overwatering your plant is harmful because excess of everything is bad.

Pruning needs

Normally lemon trees don’t need pruning as compared to other plants. But you have to prune the plants if you find infection in them. When you notice an infection somewhere in the plant, it will become necessary for you to cut that part off so that it won’t affect the remaining part of the plant.

If you act carelessly here, then you will face damage and your plant will be destroyed because that infection will have a strong impact on the other parts such as the stem and branches. So you need to be careful.

Fertilizing needs

Fertilizers, indeed, have a great impact on the growth of plants. Lemon trees will grow better if you provide them with a good amount of fertilizer. You need a Buddy laser to apply them after 3 to 4 months.

Here is the best tip for you to choose November, March, June, and August they will suit your lemon trees best. Be careful to select a suitable fertilizer for your lemon plant.

Planting needs

Location is the demanding need for planting any plant. So choose a sunny location for your plant if you are planting lemon trees outdoors in your garden. Don’t choose an area that invites frost.

It’s a suggestion for you to give proper time to your plant, fulfill all its needs, and then enjoy its brilliant taste and take nutrients and vitamins from it.

Conclusion

There are many ways to use lemons such as making lemonade. They are used in making tastes in many dishes such as chicken, fish, and many more. But you only get these benefits when you have enough knowledge about the lemon tree stages.

By using these stages, you can grow a healthy lemon tree and can get benefits from it. From seedling to harvest, a lemon tree needs some requirements and all you have to do is complete those requirements.

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