skip to main content

meyer lemon--browning leaves

18 years ago

hi,

i have a meyer lemon tree that has yellowing and browning leaves.

a bit of history--i was sick this summer and thus couldn't water the tree, and then there were storms and the tree got quite flooded. she went into shock and lost a bunch of leaves. with the help of the kind folks on this forum, she has bounced back quite a bit, but now almost every leaf is turning yellow on the outside end of the leaf, and most leaves are browning on the end. many are falling as well. help!

i have not fed her since about august, and water every 2-3 weeks (i have trouble telling when it's necessary, actually.) i used superthrive in the water, at the suggestion of someone in the group.

she is currently in an enclosed, unheated sunroom in N VA. the sunlight is pretty good, but the temps may get down to the 30s (I'm not quite sure how much protection the sunroom provides, it's not well insulated, but it's part of a house)

the tree has a lot of sentimental value to me, and I'd really appreciate any suggestions or help. I'm so glad she started to revive a bit, and I'm sure there's something I can do!

below are pictures, mainly which show that photography isn't my strong suit =)

thanks in advance for all of your help--this tree means a lot to me!

cheryl

http://members.cox.net/ciny/Tree2006_close.jpg

http://members.cox.net/ciny/Tree2006_full.jpg

+

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

suzannesks
18 years ago
New....first off, Meyer lemons are a bit tempermental and you can have leaf drop with these guys. But, your tree needs a bit more heat,and just all around care.You should have a feeding schedule for your citrus.Citrus need to be fed.Find a citrus food,and follow the instructions on the box.Buy and use a moisture meter if you are having trouble watering.It's better to water when needed than to water unnessarily. And last of all, the tree needs more heat, 45 to 60 is a maintainable heat for citrus thru winter,even though it's getting good light. All these things are essental to growing citrus.There are plenty of citrus foods on the market if you don't happen to find any even Azelea food works.But in order to have a healthy and happy tree it needs a feeding schedule,heat,and water when needed, and light.When you water your citrus ,water it until the water runs out of the container throughly.This leeches out the salt residue.Also a handful of OSMACOTE fertilizer is good to dig around the top soil of your Meyer tree too, every 3 months.I use a brand of Citrus food made by "Whitney Farms" it's called Citrus & Avacado & Vine Food.Some of the Citrus dealers have citrus food available for sale.***Suzanne
newinva
Original Author
18 years ago
Hi Suzanne,

I took your suggestion and fed the tree, and I can get a moisture meter. as for the higher heat--I'm pretty stuck. There is one warmer room, but very little sunlight there. all other sunny places are the prowling ground of my cats, who enjoy smacking and peeing in my plants, so that's out.
i thought browning ends was a vitamin/mineral thing rather than a light thing? but then again, if i knew more, i wouldn't be asking for help!

thanks,

cheryl
Related Discussions
Meyer Lemon Leaves turning yellow and new leaves curling
Q
Comments (1)
Looks like spider mites; you won't see them without a good magnifying glass. A good wash outside or in the shower will go a long way to getting rid of them. My advice... lose the fertilizer spikes and replace with a good soluble citrus fertilizer applied 3-4 times per year according to the label. Your tree looks to be a little underfed; and unhealthy trees are more susceptible to spider mites. I would also get a good foliar fert. and give your tree an application of that about every 15 days; I like Bayer Bayfolan Forte; lots of container growers here use Foliage Pro... there are others. Your tree looks a bit leggy; I am guessing it gets less light than it would like.
...See More
Meyer lemon leaf browning
Q
Comments (3)
Ok, interesting. We had spider mites a month or two ago but killed them all and haven't seen any since. Maybe the leaves were just showing the problem later? Do you know if that's normal?
...See More
1 yr old lemon tree brown leaves
Q
Comments (9)
Were the leaves like that before you sprayed for bugs? It looks like it might be salt damage. Do you let the water run out the bottom when you water? That pot looks way too big for your tree. It should probably be in a 10 inch pot. A too big pot can lead to root rot. Repot the tree into 5-1-1 mix. Dunk the roots in and out of water to remove the old soil. You may have to use a garden hoes to force the old soil off. My version of Al Tapla's 5-1-1 Mix · 5 parts pine bark mulch (remove ½” pieces through 1/2 inch screen) (Some people use Repti Bark instead of mulch. This does not require screening but may require more frequent watering.) · 1 part sphagnum peat · 1 part perlite (coarse, if you can get it) · 1 Tb/gal 5-1-1 mix garden lime (measure the 5-1-1 mix) · Controlled release fertilizer (optional) · Moisten well and wait at least 2 days before using
...See More
Meyer lemon problems:pale leaves, dropping leaves
Q
Comments (95)
Amanda, it looks to me like that tree is a gonner. You’ve put too much stress on an already stressed, under watered, under fed tree. I’m afraid it will see its demise indoors. If it were me, I would take the winter and do some research on root stocks and how they effect the growth habits of the citrus tree you want to grow. Then I’d go to my local nursery like Armstrong’s or wherever you normally go in LA and find a new tree that is grafted to said rootstock that you researched in January and plant said tree in Late January early February into the ground. Late winter early spring is the perfect time of year to plant citrus trees In ground. Then I’d water it consistently and deeply the first year and fertilize it lightly monthly. That’s it. The more care and worry you give to your trees the worse off they end up being from over care. You see, in ground trees are very different than potted trees. They need a lot LESS care, you have to let them do what they’re going to do and address issues only if they arise. Not every tree is going to look perfect or have deep green leaves or bear fruit the first 1-2 years, it takes patience. Rest assured though, you live in LA, it’s basically the perfect climate to grow citrus in so if you have patience and keep an eye on your tree it will reward you with a bounty eventually. Evan
...See More
BabyBlue11371
18 years ago
Cheryl,
For quick cheap way to warm your tree try wrapping the pot in Christmas lights. you might still be able to find some on sale.. I use a digital food thermometer to check soil temp. They will be in growth mode at temps above 70*F. Keeping the roots at an active growth temp the tree takes up water and nutrients more. If the temps low then the roots are not getting as much food and water to the leaves.. since it is in sunny spot it needs the bottom to be as active as the top..
I am new to citrus growing but this is what I have learned and so far my trees in south window fed once every other week with the pots heated have kept steady growth on them.
I think all of the healthy tree ingredients need to be present.. if the temp is lowered the light and food should be lowered.. I can't tell you what the proper ratio on light should be but my trees have south light and I have a grow light that comes on from 5 pm till about 9 pm.
hope this makes since.. I'm sure there are others that can better explain the concept and have better details.
Gina *BabyBlue*

Related Stories

COLORFUL HOMES The Best of My Houzz: 10 Living Rooms With Wall Colors to Love

By Laura Gaskill

Jet black, Meyer lemon yellow, mossy green — these spaces make a statement with bold color

DECORATING GUIDES Inspired by Fall: Reds, Oranges and Browns at Home

By Shawn Gauthier

Add just an accent or rake in the color with shades of autumn all over the house

GARDENING GUIDES How to Keep Your Citrus Trees Well Fed and Healthy

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Ripe for some citrus fertilizer know-how? This mini guide will help your lemon, orange and grapefruit trees flourish

HOLIDAYS 25 Gorgeous Holiday Mantels by Houzzers

Laden with boughs, lights and even lemons, these decorated fireplace mantels show a festive Christmas spirit and a creative approach

DECORATING GUIDES Nature’s Color Wisdom: Lessons on Pink From the Great Outdoors

By Laura Gaskill

Leave your assumptions about pink at the princess playhouse door. Head outside instead for shades from shocking to subtle

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Eclectic Treasures Find a Home in a 1910 Victorian

By Sarah Seung-McFarland

Secondhand furnishings add spirit and soul to a century-old New Jersey house

SUMMER GARDENING How to Grow Basil

By Marianne Lipanovich

Bright color, quick growth and endless uses for cooking make this summer annual a winner in the garden or a pot

GROUND COVERS Ground Force: 10 Top Ground Covers for Your Garden

By Carol Bucknell Garden Design

Protect your soil from weeds and drought this summer with a living mulch of ground covers

HOUSEKEEPING How to Clean Grout — Stains and All

If your grout is grossing you out, this deep-cleaning method will help it look new again

COLOR Welcome Yellow Around Your Home for an Instant Lift

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Keep on the sunny side with shades of yellow from buttery and soft to dynamic and bright

Sponsored

WhislerHome Improvement

9 Reviews

Franklin County's Committed Home Improvement Professionals

More Discussions

Trying to choose greenhouse size for my citrus

14

Howard Martin growing citrus #33

1

In ground outside Meiwa kumquat on flying dragon

2

figs vs kumquats

6

Grafting Citrus and Rootstocks

2