Lemons fall due to the force of gravity acting on them. When they reach a certain weight, their weight becomes greater than the resistance of the stem that connects them to the tree, causing them to fall to the ground.
Lemons simply fall because our planet exerts an attraction on all objects nearby: that’s what gravity is. It’s as if the Earth pulls everything toward its center. The heavier and closer an object is, the more this force visibly affects it. A ripe lemon holds less and less firmly to its branch, and at some point, gravity ultimately wins the battle. This phenomenon is exactly the same as when we drop an apple or a pen: there’s no escaping it, everything goes down!
Fruits like lemons, once ripe, naturally trigger a process of softening of the tissues at the base of the stem, in the area known as abscission. When the lemon is still green, this area is solid and resistant. With progressive ripening, the cells lose firmness and begin to produce substances that weaken the junction. As a result, the stem becomes more fragile as ripening progresses, ultimately leading to the natural detachment of the lemon. This mechanism is actually practical, as once ripe, the fruits no longer need as many nutrients from the tree and the plant can then concentrate its energy elsewhere.
A gust of wind or a good rain easily shakes the branches, causing ripe fruits to fall more frequently. The wind, in particular, exerts mechanical pressure that can detach even lemons that are still slightly attached. The same happens during hail episodes, which weaken the fruits or the small branches that bear them, causing them to fall before they are fully ripe. During periods of intense drought, the tree may also drop some fruits to conserve water and nutrients. Conversely, too much humidity makes the fruits heavier and encourages their natural detachment. It’s all a matter of balance: each environmental disturbance can determine whether the lemon stays attached or ends up on the ground.
Some biological interactions directly influence the falling of lemons. For example, insects like fruit flies lay their eggs in lemons, weakening their internal structure and accelerating their drop. Conversely, some animals, such as birds or rodents, may prematurely detach the fruit while trying to nibble on it. Plant parasites or diseases can also weaken the fruit's attachments, causing an early fall. These biological interactions work together, ultimately determining whether your lemon stays attached or ends up on the ground.
Lemons fall to the ground because it is an effective evolutionary strategy: by falling to the ground when they are ripe, they release their seeds away from the parent tree. This is useful to avoid direct competition between the young shoots and the adult tree for water, nutrients, or light. Moreover, a fallen lemon often attracts animals that, by consuming the fruit, will carry and disperse the seeds even further, thus facilitating the colonization of new spaces by the plant. In short, it is a rather effective tactic to ensure the survival of the species.
The vitamin C found in lemons is very sensitive to air and light. To fully benefit from this antioxidant vitamin, it's best to squeeze and consume the juice quickly after cutting the fruit.
An adult lemon tree can produce between 200 and 600 lemons per year, depending on climatic and nutritional conditions. A good harvest in your garden will therefore heavily rely on the care of your tree!
The leaves of the lemon tree emit a lemony scent when rubbed between the fingers; they also have calming properties that are often used in infusions.
The lemon tree can bloom several times a year, which explains why you can simultaneously see flowers, growing green fruits, and ripe fruits ready to fall on the tree.
Some varieties of lemon trees tend to keep their fruits on the tree longer, even when they are ripe. This often happens when environmental conditions are favorable and in the absence of disease or nutritional stress.
Lemon generally takes between 6 to 9 months to reach maturity after flowering, but this can vary depending on the varieties, climatic conditions, and agricultural practices adopted.
Yes, shaking a lemon tree vigorously may cause the premature drop of fruits that are still loosely attached, especially if their stems are fragile or have already been weakened by environmental factors.
Adopt a regular irrigation management, ensure a balanced supply of nutrients (fertilizers suitable for citrus), and monitor your tree to prevent and address any potential infestations or diseases.
Yes, freshly fallen lemons can generally be consumed without any issues after a good rinse. However, make sure to check that they do not show any obvious signs of decay or spoilage before using them.
Several reasons can explain this phenomenon: environmental stresses such as drought, extreme cold, or excessive heat, a nutritional deficiency (particularly in potassium or calcium), or a parasitic attack can lead to premature dropping of lemons.
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