I think it depends what kind of lemon you have. Different lemon trees have different harvesting seasons.

Well, lemons in general will stay fairly well on the tree. If Eureka lemons get too ripe, they will drop off the tree, naturally. Meyer lemons not so much. But, with all citrus, if you leave the fruit on too overly long, you can cause the tree to alternate bear. So, better to slowly remove the riper fruit as you can, especially if you get a significant bloom. Since lemons don't have a set one-time bloom time, and tend to bloom almost year round, you'll want to look for the bigger bloom times, which for me in S. California tend to be starting about now. I am trying to pick off my more ripe Meyer lemons and Palestine limes, as well as the rest of my Eurekas.

Patty S.