How Long for a Lemon to Get Ripe

Seed Propagation

• Lemon trees may be propagated from seeds taken directly from the fruit. Seeds should be kept moist and planted immediately in moist, rich soil. Bury seeds 1/2 inch into the soil in a large pot, and keep the container warm and moist until seedlings appear. Once the seeds begin to sprout, they need several hours' worth of light per day. Propagating lemon trees from seeds is a lengthy procedure, and trees may not produce fruit for many years.

Flowers and Fruits

• Lemon trees begin flowering in spring, and will continue to produce flowers as long as night temperatures are higher than 52 degrees F. The flowers turn into fruits, which take four to 12 months to ripen from the time they first appear, depending on cultiva. When fully ripe, the fruit will have an elongated shape with a yellow peel that's dotted all over with oil glands. Unripe fruit should not be consumed.

Yield

• Fruit is produced on lemon trees year-round, depending on climate, and because flowers appear throughout the spring and summer fruits may ripen during summer, fall and winter. Most trees must grow for three years before producing any fruits at all. Trees will not display their full fruiting potential until they reach maturity, which depends on cultivar.

Care

• Healthy trees will produce fruit that is attractive, tasty and capable of ripening naturally. Lemon trees should be planted on a site where they will receive full sunlight. Trees should be 15 to 25 feet away from other trees and structures. The trees need well-drained soil, optimally with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.