Have you ever wondered how long it takes citrus fruit to ripen from tiny bud to fruit? Sometimes it feels like an eternity! Well, just how long does it take for citrus fruit to ripen? The time it takes can vary depending on several factors, including the type of citrus fruit, environmental conditions, and the stage of maturity when it was picked. On average, it can take several months for citrus fruit to ripen fully. Here are some general guidelines for common citrus fruits:
Oranges: Oranges typically take around 6 to 8 months to ripen from the time the flowers are pollinated. However, they can be harvested and consumed at various stages of ripeness, so you can enjoy them as soon as they reach the desired level of sweetness and juiciness.
Lemons: Lemons usually take about 6 to 9 months to ripen after flowering. They can be harvested and used at any stage, from green and tart to fully ripe and yellow.
Limes: Limes take approximately 6 to 9 months to ripen after flowering. Like lemons, they can be picked and used at different stages of ripeness.
Grapefruits: The time it takes for grapefruits to ripen can vary depending on the variety, but it generally takes around 8 to 12 months after flowering.
Tangerines and Mandarins: These smaller citrus fruits can ripen in a shorter time frame compared to larger citrus varieties. They may take around 6 to 8 months to ripen after flowering.
Kumquats: Kumquat trees are both ornamental and edible, and the fruit has the added benefit of hanging on the tree for several months. Generally, it takes about 6-9 months for a kumquat to go from flower to ripened fruit.
To determine if a citrus fruit is ripe, consider the following signs:
Color: Most citrus fruits will change color as they ripen. For example, oranges turn from green to orange, and lemons turn from green to yellow.
Texture: Ripe citrus fruits should feel firm but give slightly when gently squeezed. They should not be rock-hard or too soft.
Aroma: Citrus fruits often develop a fragrant, sweet scent as they ripen.
Taste: The most reliable indicator is the taste. If the fruit is sweet, juicy, and flavorful, it is likely ripe and ready to eat.
It's important to note that the timing of ripening can be influenced by factors like temperature, humidity, and the specific citrus variety. Additionally, some citrus fruits may continue to sweeten after they are picked, while others will not significantly improve once harvested. To enjoy the best flavor and quality, consider allowing citrus fruits to ripen on the tree whenever possible.
Click here to see all Citrus Trees
FAQs
The time it takes can vary depending on several factors, including the type of citrus fruit, environmental conditions, and the stage of maturity when it was picked. On average, it can take several months for citrus fruit to ripen fully.
How long does it take citrus to mature? ›
Ripening: patience is a virtue
This is true of some varieties of citrus, which take longer to mature than others. While most lemons require 4-6 months to progress from a flower to a fully ripened fruit, some orange varieties can take almost a full year to fully ripen!
How long does it take oranges to ripen? ›
Wait for the Right Season
For example, pineapple oranges go ripe anywhere between November and February. Navel oranges, on the other hand, go from November into June. Each variety has a wide span of months in which they ripen, so make sure to look up your specific variety in preparation for harvesting.
What is the ripening process of citrus fruits? ›
During ripening, citrus fruits change color from green to yellow or orange or orange-red according to the variety. This is called natural degreening, or natural color development. In some citrus fruits, if held on the tree beyond maturity, the yellow-orange color again changes to green, which is called regreening.
How long does it take for citrus fruit to ripen? ›
Lemons: Lemons usually take about 6 to 9 months to ripen after flowering. They can be harvested and used at any stage, from green and tart to fully ripe and yellow. Limes: Limes take approximately 6 to 9 months to ripen after flowering. Like lemons, they can be picked and used at different stages of ripeness.
How long does it take a lemon tree to grow lemons? ›
You'll need to be patient, since it can take anywhere from seven to 15 years for a lemon tree to mature and produce fruit (but when it does, you can expect a robust harvest).
How long does it take for lemons to go from green to yellow? ›
Once your lemons start to grow, give them time to mature. They can take around six months to mature. Don't harvest them until their skin changes from green to dark yellow. When your sweet Meyer Lemons are ready, their skin will be a shade of yellow that's similar to the color of an egg yolk.
What is the time of ripening of fruits? ›
For instance, it takes about 5 to 6 days for mangoes and 6 to 7 days for sapotas to ripen. Under natural conditions, ethylene, a ripening hormone produced by the plant plays a major physiological role in the ripening process. and ripened fruits together inside an air tight container.
When to pick a lime off a tree? ›
Limes are ready when they are just turning yellow and if you give them a gentle squeeze, are soft rather than hard. It will depend upon your variety, but Tahitian or Beares limes are ready when just starting to lighten in colour from dark green to light green/yellow.
Will citrus ripen if picked green? ›
Don't expect citrus fruits to increase in sweetness or ripen more fully once you've picked them, as do peaches and some other fruits. When picked at any stage of maturity, citrus fruit does not change after picking, except that it may decay or slowly dry out.
ANSWER: Ripe citrus fruit will store well on the tree for a long time. The fruit will stay good on the tree until late winter. Be sure all of the fruit has been harvested before the tree blooms in the spring. However, all ripe fruit should be harvested from trees prior to a significant freeze.
Why isn't my citrus ripening? ›
In fact, the most common cause for citrus fruit, in general, to fail to ripen is lack of sunlight. The tree may be too shaded, or trees may be planted too close together. Weather conditions affect the fruiting of lemon trees and contribute to slow ripening.
What citrus grows the fastest? ›
LEMONS are the fastest growing citrus and very easy to grow in containers. Most are frost tender and should be covered or brought inside when temperatures reach 30 degrees.
How old is a mature citrus tree? ›
Usually, once the trees are about three years old, they are mature enough to handle fruit production. Younger trees are capable of bearing, but doing so does slow branch and foliage growth, which are important for the tree's long-term development.
At what age do citrus trees bloom? ›
Seedling oranges and grapefruit require 8-15 years to flower. The protracted period of non-flowering in orange and grapefruit seedlings is called juvenility and it is apparently hormonally controlled.
Do you need 2 citrus trees to produce fruit? ›
“With the exception of Clementine tangerine and certain tangerine hybrids such as Orlando tangelo, citrus trees are self-fruitful and do not require cross-pollination. Thus, self-fruitful types of citrus can be grown as single trees. Cross-pollination requires that two or more varieties bloom at the same time.
