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My new lime tree doesn't like me

16 years ago

I planted a persian lime tree about 6 months ago. It seems to be doing just okay & I've even had some limes the size of walnuts.

I have a few questions that I'm hoping someone might be able to help me out on. I would really like this tree to take off. The fragrance alone is so amazing.

The lime tree is growing like a bush. I tried to figure out the main branch, but I can't. It doesn't grow taller, just seems that more branches are coming out from the base instead. Should I leave as is & wait till it gets taller & trim off the excess branches then?

The leaves are curling. I checked for insects & didn't see any at all, even with a magnifying glass. There are faded marks, some that look almost like tracks on the underside of some leaves also.

I DO have a problem with ants in this area. I'm thinking that I might have insects & just haven't been able to find the buggers yet!?

I don't live in Florida f/t yet. I'm only there for about a week every other month so I may be missing the clues I need to help my cute little tree.

Hope someone has some suggestions.

Here is a link that might be useful: multiple branches

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Comments (3)

jean001
16 years ago
"branches are coming out from the base" could be root suckers. (But your link doesn't go to such a photo.)

To determine if that's so, look for the slight jog in the main stem (where the tree was grafted) -- if the shots are from below the jog, remove all and remove any others that appear as soon as they are seen.

Your link shows a single leaf but is seriously out of focus. Notice that the in focus zone is behind that. So please back up a bit and take another picture of the leaf.

As for "not taking off," the tree has only been in the ground for 6 months, It needs time to develop a sturdy root system in the ground before that can occur. Typically requires several years.
citrusboy
16 years ago
Hi, Your leaves have been damaged by what looks like leaf miners. Purely cosmetic. A big problem would be shoots growing below the graft line. Those "suckers" will rob a significant amount of energy from the plant that you want to "take off". Try to keep the ants off of it. Make it part of your routine to check it every couple of days.

Give the little guy a little time to adjust to the new surroundings. 6 mos is not a lot of time.
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maja127
Original Author
16 years ago
here is another link showing the base of the tree.

Here is a link that might be useful: too many branches?

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