Meyer Lemon leaf yellowing with massive flower budding

18 years ago

So here is the problem. I planted a very healthy Meyer lemon tree into a 20 inch pot last october. After a couple weeks I gave it some fertilizer and a massive number of blossoms started to appear which I was thrilled about. They just seemed to come from everywhere. Since then(~2 months) the blossoms have continued to bloom. I'd say over a hundred blossoms have come up. The problem is that since then the leaves have slowly yellowed and fallen off, starting with the oldest leaves at the bottom of the tree and now making its way up all the branches. I'd say over half the leaves have fallen off. Each leaf will take about 1-2 weeks to become completely yellow and then fall off. At first I thought it was due to nitrogen deficit so I gave it some more fertilizer but that made the problem worse. Lately I've thought it might be the fact that the root ball is not getting enough water(the water doesnt seem to penetrate the original soil too well and instead drains down the sides). If water deficit is the case then why do the blossoms continue to bloom in force? Also, if Nitrogen overdose is the problem then why are the leaves still yellowing two months later. I'm thoroughly confused. I'm hoping some fellow citrus growers may have had experience with this sort of problem.

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Comments (7)

laidbackdood
18 years ago
Hi,I have killed several citrus trees in similar fashion.The
older leaves have turned yellow and dropped from the bottom
up.Do they leave the little stalk left on the tree attached
to the trunk? Thats what always happened to me.I have grown
to realise that it is too much water that causes that.I have
also found adding a couple of teaspoons of epsom salts each
time you feed helps the plant take up the nitrogen and greens
your leaves.Water deeply and leave to almost dry out,the roots
need air,thats what killed my trees before i reckon.
You can use warm water with a little washing liquid for the
compacted rootball you have.Water with slightly warm water
each time.
I recently bought a new orange tree and put it in a very free draining container mix.I also have tried this superthrive on advice from others here.My tree looks greener,it was a bit yellow on top.Do the leaves curl up from the sides in a u shape? Thats too much water.I water every 9 days and its summer here.Do the stick your finger down 3 inches bit,if it comes out dry water, if soil is sticky dont water.
Good luck,there should be plenty here who know more than me.cheers
laidbackdood
18 years ago
Just another point,what size pot was it in before when you bought it? That was another factor,everyone here reckons to have 2 inches of space around the rootball in your new pot.I did a similar thing,went from a 10 inch pot to a huge one!!
the soil just stayed soggy.It pays to go up to a slightly
bigger pot than the excisting one.Two inches all around.The
soil is slow to dry out otherwise,leaving the roots soggy.
cheers
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lucyb00ts, in my experience more fruits fall off when the tree is undernourished. Citrus like a lot of nitrogen, so a food with an NPK ratio of 3-1-1 or 5-1-3 is the usual recommendation. I prefer a timed-release formula, but any method will do as long as the tree gets what it needs on a consistent basis. Meyers will flower and fruit all year so they need feeding all year. Unfortunately the fruit you get is a result of the feeding of 6 months ago (or more) so it's a bit frustrating. I assume you're planning to move it out in the sun again when the weather cools a bit. Sun is also helpful for fruiting. As far as your 2 branches go, it isn't obvious to me from the photo whether one is a sucker. Do you know the tree was grafted? Sometimes Meyers are grown on their own roots. If the growth on both sides looks the same (same leaves, bark, flowers, etc.) it may actually be the same. You will know more when you finally get some fruit. Sorry I can't help more!
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bencelest
18 years ago
And that makes the root susceptable to root rot very easily.
citrange2
18 years ago
Massive blooming everywhere is a sign of severe stress. As if the plant is making a final effort to reproduce itself before dieing!
As others have said, probably due to root rot from soggy conditions. Could even be too soggy round the edges but still dry in the middle.
What did you plant it in? You need a very free draining compost. People on this forum frequently recommend Coconut Husk Chips as the basis for good potting. I would carefully wash off all soil/compost, inspect roots and re-pot.
birdsnblooms
18 years ago
I agree repotting into a smaller pot..Go up 1-2 sizes of the previous pot..a huge pot in NOT the answer..it makes matters worse. Leaves soil soggy until plant dies.
I'd also refrain from fertilizing. For one, after u repot, you should wait a couple months before feeding..and secondly, if a plant is ailing food should be withheld altogether. Superthrive may help, depending how bad off your tree is..If it's rotted, well, I doubt it'll come back, but don't toss..Wait until spring to see if new growth sprouts.
I think you did too much as once..Since it was a new plant, perhaps waiting to repot or feed would have helped. Most nurseries feed before shipping plants off, usually using pellets that last 3 months.
You also want to use a well-draining soil. I use all purpose, sand, peat and perlite. You want to use something that drains when you water. Now where water sits on top of soil..The soil is too heavy if this is happening.
Good luck, Toni
tritonslo
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks for all the input. I think I will let the soil dry out for a while and see if the tree makes a recovery in spring. The remaining leaves are deep green and healthy so perhaps it just needs to dry out. I'm pretty sure the soil drains alright. I think, as all of you said, that I tried to put too small of a plant into a large pot and the deep part of the pot just doesnt get dry enough between waterings.
bencelest
18 years ago
And also aside from above, check the pH of your soil. I had a very same problem with my Meyer last year. I found out that the soil was too acid. And I also found out that Meyer is the most tantrumatic citrus of all. So what I did was I drenched the soil (run the water overnight tricle only)with water hose to get rid of the acid and the salts in the soil.

Meyer Lemon leaf yellowing with massive flower budding

Comments (7)

laidbackdood

laidbackdood

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Meyer Lemon leaf yellowing with massive flower budding

Comments (7)

laidbackdood

laidbackdood

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