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Florida Gardening

Orange tree leaves turning yellow...

16 years ago

Okay...not sure if it is the lack of rain or the layer of mulch, but my leaves on my orange tree are all turning yellow and some of the fruit is dropping.

I had a weed problem (posted awhile back...) under the tree and everyone recommended mulching under the tree. So, I layered newspaper then added mulch but left a 2 foot open space around the trunk that has no mulch.

So, is the leaf issue due to how dry it has been or is it the mulch? I just started watering at night (slow soak) in the hopes that this resolves the issue.

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Comments (6)

junkyardgirl
16 years ago
Don't mulch within 6 inches of the trunk. Other than that, it's fine. If you mulch up close to the trunk, it can make the bark rot, and can give insects cover to get to the trunk.

Orange trees do lose leaves from time to time, and they will drop some of their fruit, especially if it's dry, and they aren't getting enough water to support all the fruit they have.

Just make sure you're deep watering at least once a week. You may have to deep water, or let a small doughnut sprinkler run on them, because 3/4 of an inch from a landscape sprinkler just won't do it.
countrynest
16 years ago
Hi, saint!
I agree with junyardgirl. I am having to give my citrus a deep watering also. It is so dry here as well. I need to fertilize
them but not until the rain comes. So I'll wait.
Felix
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Ditto what John said, definitely way too dry. Create a nice well around this little tree beyond the drip line (edge of canopy). Water deeply twice a week, three times if you're in a really hot area (you don't mention where you live). Looks like it's really getting a baking in this corner, so it's going to need some water. Once you've watered really well for about a week, apply a good citrus fertilizer that contains micronutrients as well as the macronutrients. As John said, cut out the dead wood and stems. Your little tree is starving to death. Patty S.
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Silva- My trees look just like yours lately... I am in central Florida so took soil samples to UF 8n January. We were in a drought then. Numbers were ok. Few leaf miners but that is no big deal. Then about May? the trees starting looking poor. Much rain. Over the summer we have had 2-6" almost daily. On August 20th we had the total amount of yearly rain already. Took another sample of soil in and times/fertilized. UF says the huge amount of rain is washing nutrients from the soil throughout our region. The trees are not really 'thirsty' so even when fertilizer is applied it is not taken up because ground is always wet. Then that days rain ...and the next... and so on... wash away the nutrients. Everyone zI know is having same problem. Scary because I don't want our wells contaminated with fertilizer salts.
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SaintPFLA
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the clarification! I've never mulched under the tree before so have been nervous about it.

I guess I need to start the regular watering sessions.
gatormomx2
16 years ago
I am not a fan of mulching under citrus except for brand-new trees under our current stressful conditions . Citrus do not like to have " wet feet " and prefer naked sand around them .
This is a really contentious issue among home owners but the pros do not mulch at all . Infrequent deep watering is best for all trees rather than a light soaking .
I have yet to water my established older citrus even though we are over 30 days without a drop of rain . I am about ready to break down and water the heck out of every one of them .
Some orange trees just turn yellow for no rhyme or reason . Do the best you can and that's all you can do except , try a rain dance for us all !
bluesky7
16 years ago
Besides watering regularly, it's a good idea to fertilize with a citrus tree fertilizer in March, June, and October. Just spread the recommended amount evenly around the tree out to the dripline and water in well.
gatormomx2
16 years ago
Except during a drought .

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