Please Help With Next Steps for Yellow-Leafed Lemon Tree

13 years ago

I've been a long-time reader of these forums, and want to thank you all (particularly here in the citrus forum) for all of the help you've offered. I'm hoping you can assist with my situation.

In August 2010, we purchased a 5-gallon improved Meyer lemon tree from a reputable local nursery. The leaves were a little yellow at the time, but it was otherwise healthy. I transplanted immediately into a well-dug hole, using half native soil and half basic gardening mix, with some Dr. Earth citrus tree fertilizer throw in (not too much). You should know that the soil here tends to be clay-like. When I dug the hole (probably about 18 inches deep), I filled it with water and it drained within 5 minutes, which I considered a good sign. (Previously on that same site, we had a crop of nasty juniper bushes there for about 35 years, with not fertlizer delivered at all.)

At the time, the tree was about two feet high and two feet wide at its widest points. Because I planted it in August, I didn't expect a ton of growth -- I just expected it to endure some transplant shock and then slowly begin to acclimate over the winter. Throughout the winter, I believe it got sufficient water from rain. I supplemented only occasionally.

Problem was, the yellowed leaves only got more yellow (none fell off). There was no uniform pattern -- some splotchy, both old and new growth affected, some veins green, some yellow. Even after all of my research here, I couldn't pinpoint "one specific problem."

I decided to wait. And I did, til about a month ago, when I fed with a light solution of Dr. Earth Bud and Bloom Booster (4-10-7), to support what I saw: numerous flower buds appearing! Yay us! At that same time, I watered with a mild Epsom salt solution (about 2 tsp. dissolved into one gallon).

It's still the same, but here's my plan and I want to know what you think, too. After reading here about it, we got our hot little hands on some FoliagePro. Since we don't expect any more temps near/at freezing, I think it's time to feed. My instincts tell me that the soil is okay, that the Epsom salts may have prepped the soil even better to absorb nutrients -- but that there are simply no nutrients (especially nitrogen) in the soil!

Should I use full strength, or diluted? Also, can I apply it both via watering AND topically to the leaves at the same time? If not, how should I apply it first? How often do you apply FP? I've heard to feed lemon trees 1x/month during growth season. Does that apply to FP?

Any reactions or advice you have would be welcomed greatly. You can see pictures of the tree at the link below.

Thank you in advance, and also again for all of your previous guidance.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lemontrees2011/

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Comments (3)

westcoastgrower
13 years ago
my sister has a meyer lemon tree, and all the leaves are yellow, it produces alot of lemons, and its healthy.
so, it might be a rare meyer lemon.
meyermike_1micha
13 years ago
Hummmm

I wouldn't waste any Foliage Pro on inground trees, or plants for that matter, since it can be quite expensive..

I was thinking..Since you already put fertilizer into the ground and used epsom salts, why don't you just see what your tree does over a few weeks and give it a chnace to adjust? No?

As long as you are not loosing branches, then maybe it will drop all of those leaves, and come back with fresh growth.

Also, maybe you can find out what many local nurseries use that sell citrus or see what they suggest for inground trees since there can be many great fertilizers that cater to inground ones with many minors.

I was curious. Why would you amend the soil in the hole? Many friends I know say their citrus do just fine in their native clay soil . In fact, not as good if a hole is dug and back filled with amended soil. They say the roots tend to grow healthier and stronger through out their native soils than through an amended one just for the roots to end up against a wall into the native one.

If a plant has yellow leaves, usually the first thing that comes to my mind is stress induced issues and not the fertilizer after a transplanting in fall and winter months.

Have you checked the pH of the soil and givin the tree time to adjust, at least for a few months, before adding all the fertilizers and amendments?

I would be careful with over fertilizing while your tree is still in an adjustment period.

I am not an expert on inground trees although I do have a few at my home on the Islands, but many of my friends just stick them in the native soil and do not fertilize for weeks until they see new growth.

There are many experts here, and I am sure they will direct you to the proper way of helping your tree.

Good luck

Mike
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carino2010
13 years ago
A tree with yellow or cupped leaves, or leaves that don't look perky after watering can indicate excessive watering and soggy roots. Yellowing leaves indicate lack of fertilizer or poor drainage.

Reading your concern, I would say it has soggy roots because of poor drainage. I would buy a moister meter and check the tree before you water. Good luck.

Please Help With Next Steps for Yellow-Leafed Lemon Tree

Comments (3)

westcoastgrower

meyermike_1micha

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carino2010

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