What Do Lemons Look Like When Growing? A Complete Visual Guide

Growing juicy, tangy lemons at home can be an extremely rewarding experience From tiny seed to ripe fruit, lemons undergo a fascinating journey that gardeners find captivating to observe. Knowing what to expect during each stage of growth helps ensure your lemon tree thrives

In this article, we’ll explore what lemons look like at every phase – from seedling to harvest. Understanding the visual markers of lemon growth empowers you to provide personalized care to your tree. Let’s dive in!

Seed Germination

It all begins with the lemon seed. Lemon seeds are small, smooth, and elliptical in shape. Their outer coating is a milky white/beige color.

Once planted in warm, moist soil, the seeds will begin to germinate within 1-2 weeks. Tiny roots emerge first, anchoring the growing seedling. Next, the beginnings of basic stems and leaves start to form.

During germination, the seedling is extremely fragile and should be kept humid and protected. At this stage, lemon seedlings are about 1-3 inches tall. Their stems are thin and leaves are small and round. You’ll be able to observe the basic lemon leaf shape, but the leaves lack maturity.

Seedling Stage

After successfully germinating, the seedling enters a period of rapid new growth. The stem lengthens and new leaves emerge.

Seedling leaves are bright green and round. They lack the elongated teardrop shape of mature lemon foliage. The leaves grow in pairs along the lengthening stem.

At this point, the seedling is still delicate and should be kept well-watered. Expect seedlings to reach 4-8 inches in height over 1-2 months. Once the stem is strong and leaves are numerous, the plant is ready for transplanting into a larger pot.

Sapling Phase

A lemon sapling is characterized by a juicy green stem that is easy to bend. Leaves begin to resemble mature lemon foliage – elongated ovals with pointy tips. The tree gains thorns during this phase of rapid cell growth.

Sapling lemon trees are extremely vigorous growers. Expect 1-3 feet of new growth in a single year. The stem thickens and branches out as the tree matures. Leaves darken to a richer green.

At the sapling stage, the tree needs less frequent watering but higher amounts of sun. Feed with citrus fertilizer to fuel growth. Prune only dead or damaged branches.

Flowering

After 2-4 years of growth, your lemon sapling will transition to the flowering stage. The first signs are the appearance of flower buds on branch tips in early spring.

The buds will swell for several weeks before blooming. Eventually they burst open into fragrant white lemon flowers. The five-petaled flowers have a star shape.

Lemon trees produce flowers and fruit simultaneously. So you may see tiny green lemons forming alongside flowers. During this stage, lemon trees require lots of sun, warm temperatures, and consistent water.

Fruit Growth

Pollinated lemon flowers will begin to form small, green fruits. It takes 6-9 months for lemons to reach full size. Gradually the fruits fill out and turn from dark to light green.

Young lemons are oval-shaped. They have a bright green color and smooth, shiny exterior. A seam is visible where the lemon attached to the branch. The fruits feel firm when squeezed gently.

As lemons ripen, they turn progressively more yellow. Full sun is critical during fruit development. Insufficient sunlight leads to incomplete ripening and pale lemons. Keep mature fruits well-watered for maximum juiciness.

Ripening

In their final stage, ripening lemons transition to a bright, vibrant yellow. Their skin remains smooth and glossy when ripe.

When cut open, a ripe lemon has juicy translucent pulp divided into segments by thin membranes. The pulp tastes tart and refreshing.

Ripe lemons detach easily from branches with a gentle twist. The round fruit should feel heavy in your hand. Any remaining green spots indicate incomplete ripening. Allow lemons to remain on the tree until uniformly yellow.

Harvesting

Knowing when to harvest lemons is an art. Pick them too soon and they’ll lack flavor. Leave them too long and they become dry and seedy.

Look for lemons that are completely yellow with no green patches. The skins will appear thin, smooth, and glossy rather than dull or coarse.

Ripe lemons should detach from branches easily. Avoid yanking unready fruit, as that can damage branches. Use gardening shears for a clean cut.

Check ripeness by pressing lemons gently. They should yield slightly but feel firm overall. Soft, mushy spots show over-ripeness. Tree-ripened lemons have the best balance of sweetness and acidity.

Storage

Freshly harvested lemons keep at room temperature for up to two weeks. To extend shelf life up to six weeks, store ripe lemons in the refrigerator.

Place lemons in a perforated plastic bag before refrigerating. The openings prevent moisture accumulation that can spoil lemons faster.

For long-term preservation, consider juicing your lemons and freezing the strained juice in ice cube trays. Frozen lemon juice cubes last 8-12 months and add bright flavor to recipes.

Proper storage maintains the vivid color, tangy flavor, and nutritional quality of your homegrown lemons. Handle with care to avoid bruising skins.

Troubleshooting Issues

Growing lush lemons isn’t always straightforward. Here are some common issues and how to address them:

• Flowers or small fruits falling off: Lemon trees are sensitive to change. Alterations in light, temps, or location can cause dropped flowers and baby fruits. Minimize changes.

• Leaves turning yellow: This indicates insufficient nutrients. Fertilize trees showing signs of chlorosis with a citrus plant food.

• Dry brown spots on leaves: Potential fungal disease. Improve air circulation and remove affected leaves promptly.

• Curled, shriveled leaves: Lack of water. Lemons need consistent moisture while growing, especially during fruit development.

• Pale lemons: Inadequate sunlight leads to incomplete ripening. Place trees where they’ll get 8+ hours of direct sun.

• Soft mushy spots: Indicator of over-ripeness. Pick lemons when fully yellow but still firm.

Final Tips

Growing vibrant lemons requires patience and attention. But the reward of tangy homemade lemonade is well worth it! Use this guide to recognize the visual markers of each stage. Identifying where your tree is developmentally allows you to tailor care to its needs.

A few final tips:

• Start with a grafted dwarf Meyer lemon for easy indoor growing

• Move trees outside in warm months for natural pollination

• Water consistently, allow good drainage, and fertilize monthly

• Give lemons full sun whenever possible

Let your senses guide you – observe lemon growth, smell the heavenly flowers, feel the smooth skin. Growing lemons connects you intimately with nature’s wonder.

When lemons first start to grow, they are green. As they mature, they gradually turn yellow.