Be aware that you will need to supply this young plant with about 300-500gr (sorry I only think in metric) of N per year. This is an average estimate and may vary with local conditions. That means that if, for example, you are using a 20% N fertliliser (first number in its label is 20), then you will need to supply 1.5-2.5 kilos of the stuff spread during the growing season. Citrus are heavy nitrogen consumers. I would recommend to supply a zero P and zero K fertlizer. K is not really used up by a non bearing tree and too much P may affect the availability of other nutrients, so something like Ammonium nitrate which is 34-0-0 may be ideal for your pH. Plus feed foliarly with micronutrients at least initially. As I said I suspect the leaves are missing Mg (the tell tale sign of the green inverse 'Delta' on the leaves) and maybe Mn also. This may improve by feeding N only but I would supply these nutrients foliarly also plus add magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts) if your soil tests deficient in Mg. Many micronutrients (like Mg for example) take time to become available from the soil so foliar feeds are a quick fix. I don't think iron chelate is necessary with your soil pH unless your soil is very deficient in iron (quite rare). Iron chelates are too expensive to use randomly. Was a lawn being maintained where you have planted the tree? That may explain the shortage of N in it. Nk This post was edited by nikthegreek on Thu, May 1, 14 at 1:28

@GregBradley: Thanks. Johnmerr made a similar point about my lawn possibly imposing harmful effect on my citrus trees. This is new info for me...Thanks. FYI, I use the black rings to keep the grass away from the tree truck, and not to keep the mulch around the tree. The ring also acts as a bumper guard for my lawn mower:). Also, in the photo you may have noticed the gray PVC trunk guard around the base of the tree used to protect it from my weed wacker. Now that I think back, several weeks before my Variegated lemon tree started to loose it's leaves, I did some heavy de-thatching on my lawn. After removing the thatch, I've been trying to bring the greenness of the lawn back with applications of lawn fertilizer (high nitrogen) every 3 weeks, and watering via sprinkler twice daily. In conjunction with the above, we've been had some heavy down pours caused by a passing hurricane. So as you said, it's most likely a combo of those factors (water, drainage, fertilizer, weak cultivar) coming together wrong for the lemon tree. Think I'll do as Johnmerr recommends, and see it shows any signs of coming back. If it don't, I'll replace it with something else. May even switch to planting a pomegranate tree. Aloha, Gadget

The leaves are curled but I assumed that was from the spider mites. They are mostly older leaves and interior most are yellowish some are green. As far as fertilizer I need some help in that area. I am having trouble finding a citrus fertilizer so have been using just a basic 20-20-20. Just fertilized a month ago.On my next trip to the city I plan on going to one of the big nurseries to see what they have. Our smaller ones don't seem to have what I need. I have been trying to keep the soil loose on top. My new growth leaves are a yellowish green but have been starting to green up a little. Is it normal for this much new bloom this time of year? Thank you so much for all of your help. I am feeling a lot more reassurred already.

Hi Nomiepie :) What Agricultural zone are you/plant in? You definitely have insect issues, and I suspect by second photo perhaps some viral issues as well... Here's a bit on leaf damage by insects/ skeletonizing: http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/damage/symptoms.html and citrus greening, which is abundant in China, and now Florida...sadly... https://www.google.com/search?site=&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1920&bih=971&q=cirus+greening&oq=cirus+greening&gs_l=img.3..0i10i24.1201.4626.0.4813.14.14.0.0.0.0.107.1261.11j3.14.0....0...1ac.1.46.img..0.14.1252.2NxySPF4yFc&gws_rd=ssl But a check with your local Agricultural Extension Office, along with a sample of plant material.; should give you the proper answer on viral/bacterial. At least here in the states, and I'm sure you have something of comparison in Oz. This post was edited by MsMorningSong on Tue, Jun 10, 14 at 18:44