8 Common Reasons for Green Lemons and How to Fix Them
Are you frustrated with lemons that won’t ripen?
Seeing green, unripe lemons in your garden can be disheartening, but the issue is often fixable.
From temperature fluctuations to watering habits, several factors can impact the ripening process.
In this article, we’ll go over 8 reasons why your lemons are still green and unripe, along with tips to help you promote proper ripening.
Why Do Green Lemons Stay Green?
Ever wondered why some lemons stay green instead of turning yellow? The ripening process for lemons can be influenced by a variety of factors, including temperature and timing.
Here's why your green lemons might not be changing color.
Insufficient Sunlight
A lack of sufficient sunlight can prevent your lemon tree from producing ripe fruit. Citrus trees require plenty of sunlight each day to thrive, and without it, they may struggle to develop their characteristic yellow color.
The chlorophyll in unripe lemons contributes to their green hue, which changes to yellow as the fruit matures. Planting your lemon trees too close together can block sunlight and hinder growth.
Slow Lemon Maturation
Patience plays a crucial role in growing lemons. Unlike many plants that produce fruit within months, lemon trees need at least nine months for their fruits to mature fully.
During this period, care and attention are essential, but waiting is key. Many growers overlook this timeframe and mistakenly think their trees are failing.
Poor Air Circulation
Air circulation is vital for healthy tree growth. For indoor lemon trees, ensuring proper ventilation can be challenging.
Certain varieties, like the meyer lemon, can thrive indoors with adequate artificial sunlight and airflow. Taking care of air quality contributes significantly to the overall health of your tree.
Adverse Weather Conditions
Temperature fluctuations can also impact lemon production. These trees prefer a warm climate, ideally between 77-78°F.
While they can handle brief periods of cool weather, temperatures below 50°F can lead to dormancy, while extremes above 105°F may cause fruit drop. Protecting your lemon trees from these temperature stresses is essential for fruitful growth.
Nutrient Deficiency
Nutrient availability in the soil plays a significant role in lemon development. Fertilizing is important, but overcrowding trees can lead to competition for essential nutrients.
Ensuring each tree has enough space to absorb nutrients can enhance fruit quality and yield.
Unsuitable Soil
Lemon trees thrive in well-draining soil, which helps prevent moisture buildup and root rot. Choosing the right soil type is crucial, as heavy or salty soils can hinder growth.
Maintaining proper soil conditions supports healthy roots and fruit production.
Improper Watering
Regular watering is essential, as lemon trees are not drought-tolerant. Inadequate watering leads to unripe and dry lemons, defeating all your hard work.
Factors such as tree size, soil type, and weather should inform your watering schedule. Curling leaves may indicate issues with watering practices.
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases are significant threats to your lemon trees. Citrus bud mites and aphids can damage the fruit, while brown soft scales are particularly difficult to detect.
Diseases like citrus canker can severely impact the health of your tree. This bacterial infection can spread through insects or wind, affecting bark, fruits, and leaves.
Other diseases, such as root rot and melanosa, specifically target the fruit, leading to early dropping or rotting.
Caring for a Lemon Tree
Caring for a lemon tree requires attention to its unique needs, from sunlight and temperature to proper watering and fertilization.
With the right care, your tree can thrive and produce juicy, flavorful lemons. Here's a quick guide to ensure your lemon tree stays healthy and fruitful.
Light Requirements
Lemon trees thrive with ample sunlight, requiring at least eight hours of direct sunlight each day to support fruit production and healthy growth. While sunlight doesn't directly cause lemons to turn yellow, it’s still essential for the tree's overall development.
The yellow color in lemons comes from anthocyanin, a pigment and antioxidant that also contributes to the health benefits of lemons.
Temperature Needs
Mature lemon trees grow best in warm, subtropical, or tropical climates, where temperatures range between 77–88℉. Excessively high temperatures can disrupt photosynthesis, causing the tree to go dormant and stop producing fruit.
Temperature fluctuations, especially in young trees, can result in under-ripened, green lemons. Maintaining consistent warmth is crucial for proper ripening.
Fertilizer Requirements
Fertilization is vital to the growth and fruiting of lemon trees, especially during their growing season. Key nutrients include boron, copper, nitrogen, zinc, and manganese.
During the first stages, apply a lemon-specific fertilizer every three months. As your tree matures, switch to a liquid fertilizer every two weeks to support healthy lemon production.
Soil Requirements
Lemon trees need well-draining soil to thrive. A common cause of green lemons is poor soil quality.
Ideally, plant your lemon tree in loamy or sandy soil, ensuring the pH is between 5.5 and 6.5 for optimal growth. Moisture retention is also important, so keep the soil consistently moist without overwatering.
Watering Needs
Citrus trees love water, but it’s important to maintain even, consistent watering. Thoroughly water your lemon tree once a week, ensuring the soil drains well to prevent root rot.
If watered deeply, outdoor trees can last up to a week before needing more water. However, for indoor plants, allow the soil to dry completely before the next watering.
Pests and Diseases
Protecting your lemon tree from pests and diseases is essential. Citrus canker, a serious disease, can be treated and prevented with a copper-based fungicide.
For pest infestations, start with neem oil, followed by organic alternatives if needed. If pests persist, a mixture of insecticidal soap and water or a specific pesticide should be applied.
Pruning
Regular pruning is key to maintaining a healthy lemon tree and encouraging fruit production. Trim back sprouts and remove any damaged or dead branches from mature trees.
Young trees also benefit from frequent pruning, removing weak limbs and any unwanted growth to promote strong development.
When to Harvest Lemons
Figuring out the right time to pick lemons can be tricky since they don’t have a specific season for ripening. After caring for your lemon trees and watching them produce an abundance of fruit, you may notice that not all lemons ripen at the same time. This can make it even harder to determine the best moment for harvesting.
To help you distinguish ripe lemons from unripe ones, here are a few tips:
How to Harvest Lemons
Lemons can be picked in a similar way to apples. Simply give the fruit a gentle twist with your hand to detach it from the branch.
If the fruit doesn't come off easily, you can use pruning shears for a cleaner cut.
How to Store Lemons
The best way to keep lemons fresh is by storing them in the refrigerator. Although it might be tempting to display them in decorative bowls, this will cause them to dry out and rot faster.
If you've harvested more lemons than you can use, freezing is a great option. You can freeze them whole or sliced, and they will stay fresh for an extended period.