The lemon tree ( Citrus limon or Citrus x limon) is a perennial fruit tree whose fruit are lemons, it belongs to the Rutaceae family and, thanks to its magnificent properties, its cultivation has spread widely worldwide. Among the characteristics of the lemon, it should be noted that it is a small and oval fruit. The skin or peel of the lemon is variable in color and ranges from yellowish green to light yellow. In addition, the properties concentrated in the entire fruit are of great culinary interest and beneficial for health.
The lemon tree or lemon tree is of Asian origin , it has medium-sized, toothed leaves. It is between three and six meters high, and its highly aromatic orange blossom flowers are highlighted by a slight reddish tone on the outside and white on the inside . Its root sinks into the ground, it is quite vertical, and many secondary roots are born and grow without a defined pattern. The bark of the lemon tree is gray and its trunk is quite thick. When Does a Lemon Tree Bloom?
The most curious thing about the lemon tree is that, unlike the orange tree (the orange tree) it is a tree that blooms throughout the year , therefore, lemons are to be expected in all seasons. However, this depends a lot on the variety of lemon tree and the care of the tree. The most significant blooms of the lemon tree are in spring and summer. The first, produces the fruit in the following winter and, the second, is the one that is collected during the hottest months of summer.
The lemon tree is a very productive tree, and between three and five years it begins to bear its first fruits , and its continuous harvests can last 50 or 60 more years. There are lemon trees that can even reach 70 years of productivity. And if you wonder how many lemons does a lemon tree give? Each lemon tree gives an average of between 600 and 700 fruits per harvest , with the possibility of being much more. Obviously, for the crops to be profitable, it is necessary to take care of the lemon tree: sufficient irrigation, fertilizer, light, among others.
As you know at discover health tips, you can not only buy lemons or buy oranges ; but you can also learn more about our products. We harvest, collect and sell the best lemons on the market, which is why we want to tell you the details about when the lemon tree blooms, and what is important to keep in mind.
The Flowering of the Lemon Tree
The lemon tree belongs to the Rutaceae family and is a perennial citrus tree. This, along with grapefruit, is one of the most tropical citrus fruits that exist in nature , that is, warm climates favor its cultivation and it is not very resistant to temperate climates and excessive heat. Lemon trees must be dedicated time and care.
But how do you know when a lemon tree blooms? Although the usual thing is that it flowers twice a year , and that the first flowering happens between March and July and the second, between August and September; This depends a lot on the climate and the variety of the lemon tree. Harvest is achieved approximately four months after flowering.
Certainly, the lemon tree, like other citrus and fruit trees, generally flourishes according to certain environmental conditions. And it is that, the lemon trees detect the changing conditions of the environment, and with this, they can predict when it is the best moment for the flowering of the year.
So, what happens if your lemon tree does not bear fruit? Although the lemon tree can flower at different times of the year, if your lemon tree does not give lemons at any time, you should pay attention to the factors that intervene in flowering.
Temperature
When the environmental temperature approaches 25ºC, the flowering of the lemon tree and the development of the plant are activated. But, if, on the contrary, the temperature is below this value, the tree does not bloom or blooms less. This is why the lemon tree blooms in spring with a greater proportion.
For example, the average lemon tree will be able to flourish under a common temperate climate , about twice a season; Usually between spring and summer. For the northern hemisphere, the first flowering would occur between March and July and the second flowering would be between August and September. When the zones are much more temperate, the lemon tree tends to flower mainly in spring , and the fruits ripen between autumn and winter.
Water
The lemon tree requires a lot of water. The recommended thing is to water it once a week and observe its needs. However, its flowering can be favored if it is dry for a few weeks and then it rains or if it is irrigated with enough water. Flowering can even become more intense. During the summer and the first, a lot of water should be used to promote flowering.
Light
As with temperature, at higher luminosity, flowering is stimulated, while when light is low, flowering is inhibited. It is for this reason that when the days go from long and bright to short and dark , flowering may stop. So that flowering is favored when the days become longer and with greater light intensity.
Cultural Care
The care given to the lemon tree also plays a fundamental role in flowering. In this case, correct fertilization is key, since not only the lemon tree, but citrus in general, are very voracious trees, that is, they require many nutrients and tend to suffer from deficiencies quite frequently. Maintaining a correct fertilizer will also guarantee a good development and flowering with vigor and in due time.
Adding an inch or two of compost to the soil each year and using a compost that is high in phosphorous but low in nitrogen encourages fruiting and flowering. Additionally, pruning and removing problematic or dead branches benefits good flowering.
On the other hand, the lemon tree is a tree that needs light and humidity, so it must be planted in a place where the sun shines. Also, it must be watered regularly. It is also important to plant it with a soil that filters well, such as clay soil. In winter it is recommended to cover it , since it does not tolerate wind or low temperatures.
Types of Lemon Tree
There are many varieties of lemons (Meyer, Lisbon, Verna, Eureka, Primofiori, Yuzu, Variegated Pink, Ponderosa…), among which those with the highest Spanish production stand out:
- The Verna lemon, which is 70% of the Spanish productionand is harvested in February-July. This variety has two blooms. The first is of very good quality, but the second is of lower quality and has little commercial use.
- The Fino lemon with 20% of the Spanish production, its harvest is from October to February.
- The Eureka, which, like the fine lemon, can produce two harvests, the first being the most important.
However, most varieties of lemons can be classified into two large groups:
- Non -reflowering varieties are varieties of lemon trees that bloom once a year, that is, they do not bloom a second time after the main bloom. It is customary to speak of slightly reflowering varieties to refer to those varieties that have a second flowering but much less significant compared to the first.
- The Reflorescentes , present two important annual blooms, and even very similar. Those varieties that produce flowers on more than two occasions (almost continuously), but in less quantity, are also called reflorescentes. The Verna lemon tree, for example, although it usually blooms twice a year (spring and summer), sometimes it blooms up to three , with its third flowering time in autumn, but through forced flowering. The Eureka variety presents abundant flowering throughout the year, therefore, it is a reflowering variety.
Reflorescence is also highly dependent on cultural care and environmental changes . For example, the Fino lemon tree falls into this classification. The lemon 4 seasons blooms in spring and autumn, so it is also part of this category.
In warm or very mild climates (tropical, subtropical, maritime or equatorial) the lemon tree is re-flowering, that is, it blooms several times a year, it can even do so more than three times. There are lemon trees that also have flowers and fruits practically all year round.
The Crop
When it comes to buying oranges and lemons , good quality is always sought in terms of flavor, juiciness, textures, aromas, etc. In the case of lemons, the summer ones are the most requested and, sometimes, some farmers use a cultivation technique called forcing, which consists of watering the lemons a little during the hot (or dry) months, and thus forcing them to bloom profusely late in the season.
So that from these flowers, the summer lemons will be born. However, when forced to produce more fruit than usual, the plant weakens. In this sense, forcing flowering is not recommended. Only if necessary, this operation should be repeated every three or four years , enough time for the plant to recover its vigor.
