skip to main content

lime tree in stasis

14 years ago

Hi,

I just found the forum due to my lime tree acting strange. I searched for previous posts on what I think is an issue, but maybe I'm an over sensitive and paranoid lime tree parent. I want to vote for me being paranoid.

I planted my lime tree right before this spring (Feb.), in a very sunny spot. It is about 2-3' high, and has healthy looking green leaves. It sent up new leaf growth about 2-3 weeks after I planted it. It also had one flower on it which turned into a very very small looking lime which has not grown any larger. I watered it 2-3 times the first week and have been watering it 2 times a week since. I gave it citrus fertilizer when I planted it and at the beginning of this month (June) per the instructions on the fertilizer box. I used coconut mulch around the base but left about 1' diameter around the base of tree clear of mulch.

You're probably asking what is the problem, right?

Well, it has not grown any larger nor has it produced any new blossoms. I noticed a brownish looking dirt/dust on some of the leaves. Where new leaf growth started to come out, it has turned brown and dry crumbles when touched. I have not noticed any pests on the tree, although I did see one normal looking spider web on one of the leaves, but no spider. Could this be spider mites? Is it producing roots or is there something else sinister going on? The calm before the storm?

Any suggestions or tips to promote growth?

Thanks.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
14 years ago
You'll need to learn what spider mites look like. They are extreeeeemly small and very easy for the novice to overlook completely. Heck, they're easy for anyone to miss. I suggest that you purchase an inexpensive magnifying lens or 10X jeweler's loop (hand lens) for this purpose. No need to spend much money at all.

Then, carefully inspect the underside of the leaves, which is where spider mites tend to hang out. They make webs, very fine looking structures, only when the populations get fairly high. Then, you can actually see the barely visible critters crawling from one place to the next.

Would it be possible for you to take a good picture of the new leaf growth, and the underside of the leaves? We'd like to see.
starloc
14 years ago
It is probably not growing while it is growing roots, plants grow in cycles one then the other, if its already grown a bit since panting then its probably now mainly growing roots

but obviously curing any pest problems is important as well, so new growth isnt destroyed or distorted
Related Discussions
Limes and Lemons on a Lime tree???
Q
Comments (4)
I think limes taste best when they are fully ripe and the rind is yellow. It is also possible that it was grafted to lemon rootstock. If you have allowed the rootstock to branch you could be getting lemons from that. Most such rootstock is a rough looking lemon that isn't very desirable in looks or flavor.
...See More
Many limes on Bearss Lime tree
Q
Comments (3)
Your little tree will abort the fruit it cannot support. If it is still carrying too much fruit at the golf ball stage, you can always remove a few more fruit. You have a nice, big, healthy (very healthy, btw) canopy that should be able to support a fair amount of fruit. The tree is already most likely 3 years old, so about the time you'd see a nice fruit set. Enjoy, continue watering and fertilizing, and providing lots of light, hopefully outside soon, and you'll enjoy nice fat juicy limes in no time. Patty S.
...See More
Lime comparison - key lime vs. "giant" key lime vs. limequat
Q
Comments (17)
Parker T - > just FYI - in my particular yards, I had conflicting scenarios (after dips to 18-19F) but have a different preference. I've "soured" on any cultivar with 'quat in its name; they are not as cold hardy as I had hoped. In Napa, the Eustis Limequat (on Volk) was killed to just about the graft - regrew and is now 10 ft. tall - took over a year. The Bearss lime just lost its leaves and refoliated, produced a huge crop right away. In Danville, the Bearrs lime was completely destroyed, the Volk rootstock lived. While the Eustis in my neighbor's yard was defoliated and came back. From what I've seen since, the Eustis fruit gets destroyed quickly when the temps go below freezing. The Bearss lime fruit can and has survived to 29/30F. So my vote is for the Bearss or Persian lime -because I want fruit! - far better for my climate's fall/winter dips below freezing. - George
...See More
Mexican lime tree vs thornless mexican lime vs bearrs lime
Q
Comments (1)
Sorry to have no advice in regard to which is best, but have you tried posing your question on the Citrus forum yet? I have a Mexican (a.k.a. Key) lime tree I grew from seed, and it's given me loads of fruit - way more than I can use - even tho it seems to have some of the maladies common here in FL. It's very thorny, and fruits several times a year. If you really don't want thorns, fewer fruits may not be a bad thing.
...See More

Related Stories

Wake Up Your Garden With Lime-Colored Plants

A sprinkle of bright lime foliage can invigorate darker green garden areas and enliven shady spots all around your landscape

CHRISTMAS TREES Live Boldly: Not Your Usual Christmas Tree

Forget green and red! Bring on the pink, purple, lime and more for your Christmas tree this year

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tours: Lucas's Loft in the Trees

By Becky Harris

TREES 11 Japanese Maples for Breathtaking Color and Form

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

With such a wide range to choose from, there’s a beautiful Japanese maple to suit almost any setting

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Louie Eastern White Pine

This stunning golden conifer will bring a smile to your face and add a ray of sunshine to your winter garden

TREES Great Design Plant: Coral Bark Japanese Maple, a Winter Standout

By Paintbox Garden

Go for garden gusto during the chilly season with the fiery red stems of this unusual Japanese maple

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Skylands Oriental Spruce, a Favorite Conifer

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Brighten up a drab corner of your garden with Picea orientalis ‘Skylands’, a smaller spruce that a bird family might just call home

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

FARM YOUR YARD If You Have Room for Only One Fruit Tree ...

Juice up a small garden with one of these easier-care or worth-the-effort fruit trees for a mild climate

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow 10 Favorite Fruit Trees at Home

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant a mini orchard in fall, winter or early spring to enjoy fresh-off-the-tree fruit the following year

Sponsored

Jc's and Sons Affordable Home Improvements

Zanesville's Most Skilled & Knowledgeable Home Improvement Specialists

More Discussions

Howard Martin citrus 33

3

Coming out of the closet

10

Howardmartin growing citrus

2

New Zealand lemonade tree with flowers

0

figs vs kumquats

6