Would you like to know how to grow lemon trees from seed?
After removing the seeds from a sliced lemon, you may find yourself wondering how to grow a lemon tree from seed. The process is simple, and lemons can make standout potted plants with deep green, shiny leaves, amazingly fragrant flowers, and bright yellow mature fruits.
Lemons are a wonderful way to infuse home-cooked foods with taste and vibrant acidity.
I use them by the dozen to create homemade limoncello in addition to our regular cooking.
In addition, I normally add pectin to help the jam set and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to balance the sugar in homemade jam recipes.
This step-by-step guide explains how to grow a lemon tree from seed and provides tips for caring for your new seedling.
The actions to take are as follows:
1. Carefully remove the seeds from the fruit:
Instead of cutting through the lemon, peel it like an orange to avoid piercing the few seeds that might be present.
Citrus seeds have a hard outer seed coat, but a knife or other utensil can easily slice them.
Using your hands, split open the individual slices, remove the seeds, and place them in a cup of water.
Rinse the seeds and set them on a towel to dry before planting.
2. In a tiny pot or plug tray, plant the seeds 1 inch deep in potting soil devoid of fertilizer.
“It is advisable to promptly sow the seeds as they have low tolerance for prolonged desiccation.”
How long does it take for lemon seeds to germinate
The germination process typically lasts one to two weeks, although certain seedlings may require up to three weeks to sprout. After that, it takes 3 to 4 weeks before it gets ready to be transplanted in a bigger pot or planted outdoors.
Once the tails of the seedlings reach approximately 3.15 inches (8 centimeters) in length, they can be transplanted.
To do so, create a shallow hole, about half an inch deep, in a pot of well-drained soil that is moist.
Place the seedling into the hole with the tail facing downward. It is important to note that growing a lemon tree from seed is a time-consuming endeavor, often taking up to ten years.
Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the resulting lemons will be aesthetically pleasing or delicious after such a lengthy wait.
However, it’s still a fun educational project to do with children.
Lemon seeds are relatively easy to germinate, so you will likely get results in the form of a strong, healthy-looking little lemon tree.
It’s simpler to grow a lemon tree from a cutting, but they’re not always widely available.
That’s why we’re going to outline how to grow a lemon tree straight from seed.
Patience is crucial in gardening, just like in any other activity.
The typical duration for a lemon tree to produce fruit is from 3 to 6 years. Undoubtedly, the wait is very worthwhile!
Cultivating lemon plants inside is a very simple task compared to other fruit trees.
They only require a sunny windowsill, appropriate soil, and a significant amount of patience.
Prior to acquiring knowledge on cultivating a lemon tree from a seed, it is imperative to address a few crucial aspects that want your attention.
The process of an indoor lemon tree reaching the stage of blooming and bearing fruit often spans a few years. However, the outcome justifies the patience required.
The lustrous foliage and swift development of these plants captivate individuals with a passion for plants, and the flavor of lemons cultivated indoors cannot be equated to that of commercially available fruit.
As previously said, lemon trees are among the most effortless and impressive trees to cultivate inside.
Indoor plants can be either little or naturally enormous, but this should not diminish the importance of giving proper care to their germination and propagation.
What month do lemons ripen
How will I know when they are ready to harvest?
Meyer lemons ripen between November and April.
You probably noticed they flowered over a long period, and obviously, the first fruit to set would be the ones that ripened in November.
The fruit will change color as it becomes ripe.
Lemons are considered ripe and ready to be harvested when they display a yellow or yellowish-green color, have a firm texture, and have grown to a size of two to three inches.
Lemons have a preference for ripening on the tree; hence, if you harvest them prematurely, you may not get the desired outcome.
Mature lemons possess a lustrous outer layer and are considered ripe only when their color fully matures.
If the skin exhibits wrinkles, lacks luster, or feels soft and malleable, it indicates that the situation has already progressed beyond a desirable point.
It is preferable to harvest a lemon prematurely rather than waiting excessively.
Due to the possibility of lemons undergoing a period where they seem green in hue, certain individuals may struggle to differentiate between lemons and limes.
We will defer that differentiation until a future occasion!
Meyer lemons are normally ripe for picking when they have acquired a rich yellow or orange hue and have a firm texture.
Additionally, they must possess a pleasant aroma. For optimal taste, it is advisable to gather them at the point of full ripeness.
If you are uncertain, you may also delicately compress the fruit — it should yield slightly when ripe.
Certain lemon species, such as the Dorshapo, retain their green color even in their fully mature state.
Hence, it is important to comprehend the characteristics of your lemon tree in order to choose the optimal time for harvesting lemons.
Determining the optimal time to choose lemons might be a challenging dilemma. Forecasting lemons is more difficult compared to other citrus trees.
Lemons do not exhibit seasonal variations in the way that we often understand them.
Lemon trees often start producing fruit within a timeframe of 4 months to a year after the flowers have bloomed.
Consequently, your lemon tree has the potential to produce fruit throughout the year.
How do you tell if a lemon is ripe on the tree
Once lemons have grown to a diameter of 2 inches, they are considered ripe and suitable for consumption.
When fully mature, lemons exhibit a lustrous outer layer and might display shades of green, greenish-yellow, or entirely yellow.
Lemons are a type of citrus fruit that continues to mature even after they have been collected.
This suggests that ripe lemons may undergo a color change to yellow when being brought home.
They are considered suitable for harvesting when they exhibit a yellow or yellowish-green color, have a firm texture, and have grown to a size of two to three inches.
Lemons have a preference for ripening on the tree; hence, if you harvest them prematurely, you may not get the desired outcome.
Mature lemons possess a lustrous outer layer and are considered ripe only when their color fully matures.
If the skin exhibits wrinkles, lacks luster, or feels soft and pliable, it indicates that you have missed the optimal time for intervention.
Identifying the maturity of your lemons is a simple task if you are aware of the key indicators.
The season, together with the lemon’s dimensions, hue, texture, and flavor, are crucial factors in assessing the maturity of a lemon.
Now that you are aware of how to determine the ripeness of a lemon, it is time to begin savoring a greater quantity of the lemons you select!
While the color of the fruit may change to a more golden hue, and the texture may become softer, it does not guarantee an increase in sweetness or juiciness.
Should you get an unripe lemon and let it sit on your countertop, it may well undergo a color transformation to yellow. However, its flavor will persist in being bitter.
What happens if you leave lemons on the tree for too long
If lemons are left on the tree for an extended period after ripening, they may acquire a thick and swollen outer layer.
To achieve optimal juiciness and thinner skin, it is advisable to pick the lemons when they still have a slight green color. However, you may also wait until they have entirely turned yellow.
Lemons may persist on the tree for an extended period once they have reached their maximum size.
However, the exact timing of the harvest is contingent upon your liking for maturity and the particular lemon type.
The optimal time to harvest lemons is when they have reached their maximum coloration and have a solid texture.
If left on the tree for an extended period, they may become too ripe or begin to decay.
Mature citrus fruit may be stored on the tree for an extended period without spoiling.
The fruit will remain fresh on the tree until the end of winter.
Ensure that all the fruit has been gathered prior to the tree blossoming in the spring.
Nevertheless, it is imperative to gather all mature fruit from trees before a substantial freeze occurs.
The fruit freezes when exposed to temperatures ranging from the mid-to-low 20s for a duration of five to 10 hours.
Alternatively, the meteorological conditions might exert influence.
Prolonged periods of frigid or overcast weather with limited sunlight and warmth might impede the process of ripening.
Severe damage can be caused to your lemon tree by frost.
If your tree is potted, you could consider relocating it to a brighter and warmer area for improved outcomes.
If your lemon tree is planted in the ground, you may consider pruning it to improve aeration and enable more light to penetrate.
Alternatively, it may be necessary to trim or eliminate nearby vegetation that is vying for sunlight.
In colder seasons, lemons enter a period of dormancy; hence, it is important to have realistic expectations.
Can lemon rot on the tree
Collar rot is caused by the fungus Phytophthora citrophthora, which causes root rot and brown rot of citrus.
Lemons are the most susceptible citrus variety.
Collar rot is generally confined to the area above the bud union.
Brown rot is caused by multiple species of Phytophthora when conditions are cool and wet.
Brown rot develops mainly on fruit growing near the ground when Phytophthora spores from the soil are splashed onto the tree skirts during rainstorms; infections develop under continued wet conditions.
Although lemons have thick skin, they are very sensitive.
Even small pressure points can quickly develop mold.
Also, if you want to prevent your lemons from going moldy quickly, it’s important only to buy as many as you need at a time.
The delicious citrus fruits simply always mold far too quickly!
Although they usually look fresh from the outside, often only a few days pass, and the mold spreads.
What is the reason?
Unfortunately, citrus fruits and trees are very popular with fungi and insects.
That is why, after harvesting, the fruits are washed to remove aphids, fungi, or spray residues.
The natural protective layer of the lemons is severely attacked in the process, and even the smallest damage to the peel causes the lemons to mold.
Non-organic lemons, so that the perishability is reduced, are treated heavily.
The lemons are covered with an artificial protective layer that we humans are better not to consume.
How do you fix root rot on a lemon tree
Yellow leaves and defoliation indicate lemon tree root rot.
Prune infected parts, adjust watering, and use fungicides for treatment.
Prevent with deep watering, drainage, and full sun exposure.
Digging Deeper
If you suspect root rot, it’s time to play detective.
Do your gardening gloves and investigate the soil.
Wet, soggy conditions are a fungus’s playground.
Roots should be firm and white, not mushy and brown. If they crumble like a bad cookie, root rot is likely the culprit.
Watering Practices
Watering consistently is crucial.
Develop a regular watering regimen and adhere to it steadfastly.
Utilize a soil moisture meter to eliminate uncertainty; it is a practical instrument, not a plaything!
Maintain the soil’s moisture at a level that is damp but not too wet, akin to a moist towelette rather than a saturated sponge.
Inspect plants for the lack of white feeder rootlets.
Healthy plants typically have little white rootlets emerging from the top layer of soil at the base of the plant as they begin to penetrate the soil.
If these are not visible to you, you are probably experiencing root rot.
You may consider excavating a plant that you suspect is afflicted.
If the roots develop root rot, they will appear brown and mushy.
Shield lemon trees with fleece or relocate them indoors when temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C).
Lemon trees necessitate temperate winters and are intolerant of low temperatures.
Therefore, it is advisable to cultivate them in containers and transfer them indoors during the winter season to shield them from the cold and prevent leaf discoloration and dieback.
To safeguard your lemon tree from cold temperatures, use horticultural fleece if it is planted outside or if bringing the pot indoors is not feasible.
This fleece will offer insulation.
Lemon trees can recover from short-term exposure to cold temperatures, but when faced with intense cold or prolonged periods of cold, lemon trees typically experience dieback and may not survive.
How to revive a dying lemon tree
To save a withering lemon tree, prompt detection of the problem and little harm inflicted are crucial.
If the tree has lost only a few leaves due to under-watering, it is realistic to anticipate a complete recovery.
Nevertheless, in the event that the tree experiences extreme water scarcity and sheds all of its leaves, the tree’s survival and ability to produce new leaves will depend on the quantity of stored energy in both the tree and its roots.
To rejuvenate a deteriorating tree, recreate the precise circumstances of its original
Mediterranean habitat by providing ample sunlight, maintaining consistently wet soil with effective drainage, shielding the tree from strong winds, and using a specialized citrus fertilizer to guarantee the provision of essential nutrients for the lemon tree’s sustenance.
To start the process of rescuing a deteriorating lemon tree, it is imperative to diagnose the underlying issue accurately.
Common factors contributing to the decline of a lemon tree include excessive watering, poorly draining soil, insufficient sunshine, infestation by pests, and illnesses.
Assess the soil moisture level, examine the leaves for indications of pests or illnesses, and verify that your lemon tree is receiving sufficient sunshine.
Excessive watering is a prevalent issue that can result in root decay and the demise of a lemon tree.
Make sure that your lemon tree is not placed in stagnant water, and modify your watering routine accordingly.
During the growing season, it is advisable to irrigate your lemon tree thoroughly once a week while reducing the frequency of watering during the dormant season.
Handle the identified problem independently.
Check out for symptoms on your lemon tree and cross-check on the possibilities of being affected by a specific identifiable issue.
Figure out what the problem is and find out the best solutions.
Obviously, you do not want to add nitrogen-based fertilizer to your lemons if the problem is overwatering.
If you believe that your lemon tree has several deficiencies or problems based on the symptoms, treat each independently if you want your lemon tree to revive faster and be more robust.
Conclusion
Lemons may be readily cultivated from seeds and exhibit an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
The seeds can be directly sown in soil or placed in a plastic resealable bag together with a moist paper towel for propagation.
The tips discussed here will help you maintain a healthy lemon tree throughout the year while savoring the delight of ripe lemons from your plant.