A lemon tree is a great contribution to any garden and it is even for terraces or balconies, if we have it in a pot. Not only is it a very beautiful tree, but its main attraction lies in the possibility of being able to take advantage of its fruits, and that is that a lemon tree grown by ourselves in an ecological way will give some tasty and spectacular lemons as it is not known. found in supermarkets.
However, we can run into some problems in its fruiting process, even if it is a healthy lemon tree. If you want to learn to recognize the cause of why the lemon tree flower does not set and to remedy it, keep reading this article in which we clarify why the lemon tree flowers fall and more details.
When a lemon tree blooms
The flowering time of the lemon tree varies depending on the variety of it and, especially, the climate. In a common temperate climate, the medium lemon tree will flower about twice a season, usually between spring and summer and at the end of the season. In the Northern Hemisphere, this will be roughly between March and July for the first bloom and between August and September for the second.
However, this is far from being a firm rule. The flowering of the lemon tree is reflowering, and in warm and mild enough climates, such as in the tropics and subtropics, a lemon tree can bloom up to 4 times a year, which will make it spend practically the entire season bearing fruit.
If the weather is cooler, the lemon tree will basically flower in spring, so your lemons will ripen in the cold months.
Reasons why lemon tree flowers fall
The causes for which the flowers of a lemon tree fall are several and well differentiated.
- If we have a young plant that blooms but that drops its flowers without them forming fruit, it may simply be because the lemon tree is not mature enough . Depending on the variety of lemon tree and whether or not it is a graft , the tree can take up to 5 years to bear fruit.
- This plant is quite demanding with water when it is forming its fruits. If during flowering it has not had enough watering , it is very possible that it will drop the flowers without forming fruit because there is not enough water to give lemons.
- There is also the possibility that the flowers have not been pollinated . Unfortunately, every year there are fewer bees and other pollinating insects, and without the natural action of these, the flowers cannot be fertilized, if we do not do it by hand.
- The weather is another reason. Lemon trees are warm climate trees, so a very cold spring can cause the tree to drop its flowers because it does not have enough strength for a process that requires as much energy as that of forming flowers and fruits.
- It may happen that the tree has some plague or disease that weakens it so much that it loses its flowers. However, in this case you will see several more symptoms that correspond to the condition you have.
- Flower drop may be due to a lack of nutrients in the soil . If it is a potted lemon tree, it may need a transplant to a larger one, or simply a supply of fertilizer rich in potassium. An infusion of banana peels is an excellent ecological remedy in this case.
How to make a lemon tree bloom
If you find yourself not knowing what to do if a lemon tree does not produce lemons , the answer is very simple: you can help it. In order for the lemon tree to bear fruit, we first need it to give flowers, and this involves meeting all its needs as best as possible: in this way the plant will have energy for the flowering and fruiting process. Keep these tips in mind to make a lemon tree bloom and get it to bear fruit:
- Stimulating a lemon tree to bear fruit is not difficult, and one of the measures we can take is the one just mentioned a few lines above: your tree will appreciate a contribution of potassium when the warm months arrive.
- If you live in a temperate or cold climate, try to plant or transplant your tree to a location in the southwest , which is where it will receive the most heat in the case of the northern hemisphere. It is important that the lemon tree receives an adequate amount of sun, although if it has not been regularly exposed to it, put something at the beginning that protects it a little while it gets used to it.
- It is also essential that the soil is adequate. As it is a plant that needs frequent watering , it is especially important that the soil has good drainage to avoid flooding, which would be very harmful. Regarding the frequency of watering, it should be abundant and frequent in autumn, spring and summer, spacing the waterings in winter.
- If, in addition, frost or winds are common in your area, putting protectors on your lemon tree will be a very good idea, especially during its first years. It is best to raise a structure around your lemon tree to cover it with thermal mesh on the inside and plastic on the outside, so that it is protected during the cold and most dangerous months .
