Sticky Leaves, But No "Bugs" on Improved Meyer Lemon
lyndanorthcoast
10 years ago
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citrange2
10 years agoRelated Discussions
Potted Improved Meyer Lemon tree in need of attention
Comments (51)I will give you the link below. I encourage you to read Al's whole opening explanation to understand why he makes the mixes they way he does. But, here are the recipes quoted directly from that post: The 5:1:1 mix: 5 parts pine bark fines, dust - 3/8 (size is important 1 part sphagnum peat (not reed or sedge peat please) 1-2 parts perlite (coarse, if you can get it) garden lime (or gypsum in some cases) controlled release fertilizer (if preferred) Big batch: 2-3 cu ft pine bark fines 5 gallons peat 5 gallons perlite 2 cups dolomitic (garden) lime (or gypsum in some cases) 2 cups CRF (if preferred) Small batch: 3 gallons pine bark 1/2 gallon peat 1/2 gallon perlite 4 tbsp lime (or gypsum in some cases) 1/4 cup CRF (if preferred) I have seen advice that some highly organic (practically speaking - almost all container soils are highly organic) container soils are productive for up to 5 years or more. I disagree and will explain why if there is interest. Even if you were to substitute fir bark for pine bark in this recipe (and this recipe will long outlast any peat based soil) you should only expect a maximum of two to three years life before a repot is in order. Usually perennials, including trees (they're perennials too) should be repotted more frequently to insure they can grow at as close to their genetic potential within the limits of other cultural factors as possible. If a soil is desired that will retain structure for long periods, we need to look more to inorganic components. Some examples are crushed granite, fine stone, VERY coarse sand (see above - usually no smaller than BB size in containers, please), Haydite, lava rock (pumice), Turface, calcined DE, and others. For long term (especially woody) plantings and houseplants, I use a superb soil that is extremely durable and structurally sound. The basic mix is equal parts of screened pine bark, Turface, and crushed granite. The gritty mix: 1 part uncomposted screened pine or fir bark (1/8-1/4") 1 part screened Turface 1 part crushed Gran-I-Grit (grower size) or #2 cherrystone 1 Tbsp gypsum per gallon of soil (eliminate if your fertilizer has Ca) CRF (if desired) I use 1/8 -1/4 tsp Epsom salts (MgSO4) per gallon of fertilizer solution when I fertilize if the fertilizer does not contain Mg (check your fertilizer - if it is soluble, it is probable it does not contain Ca or Mg. If I am using my currently favored fertilizer (I use it on everything), Dyna-Gro's Foliage-Pro in the 9-3-6 formulation, and I don't use gypsum or Epsom salts in the fertilizer solution. Here is a link that might be useful: Container Soils - Water Movement and Retention XVIII This post was edited by Ohiofem on Thu, Mar 20, 14 at 16:39...See MoreMeyer Lemon has sticky leaves - is this good?
Comments (8)Dpol..you said, "other than some mites, the tree appears to be happy." Your ML looks great, but if you don't rid those mites, they'll kill your tree. I agree with NJ regarding scale. Scale are brown bumps that can be scraped off. They hide on upper and lower leaves and stems, in-between stems. The sticky residue is honeydew, secreted by scale, mealy or aphids. Honeydew attracts ants. Inspect your tree thoroughly to ID which insect might be on your ML. I make a home-made insectide to rid and kill mites. In a 16oz or so sprayer bottle, water, 2-4 drops dish soap, lemon ride or juice, garlic and hot pepper. Liquids can be replaced for garlic, citrus rind and hot pepper. There are different types of insecticides and oils. My favorite is Fish Emulsion, although many people like Neem Oil. Both are organic. One reason I prefer FE to Neem is, it's an organic fertilizer. When leaves are sprayed, it not only rids/kills scale, but works as a foliar feeding, too. Keep an eye on your Meyer's, see how it does. Good luck, Toni...See MoreHelp With Improved Meyers Lemon! Dropping Leaves and Blooms
Comments (6)Hi SeanPez, Are you sure that you're getting enough water to the roots? I'm not familiar with a deep root irrigator and its rate of water flow, but a couple minutes once/week sounds awefully small given what a dry winter we've had this year in CA. Also, did you apply fertilizer at all since planting, or were you hoping to do that during the coming growing season? What fertilizer will you be using and how frequently? Just to give you some idea for comparison, here in SF (where we generally get more winter rains than you guys - though maybe not this year!), the first year I planted my in-ground IML I was applying 5 gal 2x/week by hand. Then the next year, I decreased to 5 gal/week, and the 3rd year (this year) plan to do 5 gal every 2 weeks, with the eventual goal of 5 gal every 4 weeks. Remember, citrus like a DEEP watering with rest in between. My fertilizing regimen is GreenAll Citrus & Avocado fertilizer (which has all necessary micronutrients of Fe, Mg, Mn, etc.) 3 times per year, during Feb., May, and Sept. according to box instructions. During the IMLs' 1st year in the ground, I also applied Miracle Gro's Rhododendron, Camellia, Azalea (liquid) fertilizer every 2 weeks, since citrus are very heavy feeders. BTW, I also noticed that you don't have mulch around your tree. Given So CA's dry conditions, I would suggest doing so; but keep the mulch (2-3 inches thick) at least 6 inches away from the bark. Tim...See MoreImproved Meyer Lemon losing leaves
Comments (2)I suspect your soil mix is WAY TOO HEAVY!!! In general, I would NEVER recommend anyone to buy a prepackaged citrus soil mix!!!! Now maybe because the nursery carries it may be okay but I am still skeptical,especially when you said you only water once a week. If it is growing in a healthy mix for the tree, which means a porous mix that rapidly drains the water after you have watered it, should need watering 2-3 times a week. Could you post a picture of you tree's soil? I have a feeling this is you major issue. 4-5 years ago, I bought a moro blood orange, and I believe a meyer lemon or a tangerine. Anyhow, I bought Miracle Grow cacti and citrs mix. I potted them up, and put them under my grow light. Within a week, they completely defoliated. Within two weeks, tangerine was dead, and blood orange was barely hanging on. When I knocked them out of there pots, I could smell the dank, rotting roots. Citrus are OVERLY sensitive to wet feet. In the citrus belt, the combo of sun and heat helps to dry out there soils but for people that don't live in sub tropical/tropical regions, it is imperative to have soil that drains efficiently. I don't want to go into all the specifics on making mixes but if you search on this site for Al's gritty mix or Al's 5.1.1 mix, it will show you how to make it and also explain why it works so well. Some people, myself included, have had difficulty finding all the components to make it, and I had to substitute certain components for other things. The bottom line is this. Whatever you end up with, when you water, you want to see water flowing out of the drainage hole within seconds of watering! Also, make sure you have a pot with adequate drainage holes(One large hole in the center is okay but personally I prefer several holes. When you have your tree indoors, if you have to we a coaster to collect the draining water, empty it right away. You do not want that water sitting there! It took me a year or two to be able to understand what makes citrus trees tick. I won't tell you that I am an expert because I am sure there are still things I could be doing better, and I also know that I will always learn more from reading books, and from learning from everyone here, but in my opinion, it's all part of the fun! I am sorry I couldn't fully diagnose your problem here but I feel confident that once Meyer Mike, Patty, John or any of the others read your post, they will be able to help you out. One last thing. I was curious about the height of your tree, and did you think the growers price was fair? Not that I am on the market for ordering anymore citrus. I have enough right now.....well?!?!?! Andrew...See Morejohnmerr
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