January 17, 2004

Question: We have a lemon tree that produced hundreds of lemons this year. We have picked many but an awful lot in various shades of yellow are still firmly attached to the tree. We have been told that you must pick every single fruit in order for the tree to produce next year. When should we take all the rest off? Last year the tree produced 3 lemons. The year before none.

- Joyce Altieri, e-mail

Answer: You do not need to pick any of the fruits in order to stimulate flowering and new fruit set. New plant growth on both the Meyer and Bearss lemon trees are the source of new flowers and fruits. The heaviest growth occurs in spring and is usually followed by two smaller growth flushes later in the year. Thus, remaining fruits are ‘moved’ to older wood as the new flushes occur. In fact, new growth is stimulated by warmer weather and not hindered by left-over fruits. To take advantage of this physiological response, commercial growers often prune their lemon trees in order to stimulate new growth flushes and consequently higher yields. The variation in fruit color on your tree indicates fruits at different stages of maturity due to the three annual growth flushes. The increase in annual yields is proof that your tree is progressing well under your care.