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problem with Sorrento lemon

9 years ago

Hi -- I'm noticing a problem with our Sorrento lemon tree, which is 4 years old and pretty full of fruit for the first time. A few of the lemons -- still green -- are sort of drying out and getting a whitish hardness to their skin. The picture makes it look a bit like it's mildew, but it's not damp at all, it's dry and hard. The other lemons -- many have already ripened -- are great (large, delicious, meaty), but some are staying green and turning hard and slightly discolored. FYI I last fertilized with organic fert in November. We've had some miner curl, but it hasn't been too bad the past six months or so. We're in zone 10, soCal.

Anyone have any experience with this? All suggestions welcome! Many thanks.

Comments (5)

hoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA
9 years ago
Hmm. It may be Botrytis. Lemons tend to be more susceptible to Botrytis than other citrus cultivars. You would want to treat with copper. You say you're in S. California, so I'm assuming, by your USDA zone (you should also include your Sunset zone, much more helpful), that you may be in an area that is close to the coast and has had a fair amount of rain, like me.

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/C107/m107bpfruitdis.html
http://www.forestryimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=1570469

May I ask you where you bought your Sorrento lemon?

Patty S.

Here is a link that might be useful: UC IPM: Botrytis in Citrus
sweetbiscuit
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks, Patty. We got the tree from Clifton's, though they don't appear to be selling Sorrentos at the moment. http://www.buyplantsonline.com/lemontrees1.html
Golly the flavor is so good.

Also, we are in Sunset zone 22. Not so close to the coast but definitely wetter lately here than it's been in a long time. Hmmmm. Thanks for the tip.

Here is a link that might be useful: Clifton's
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johnmerr
9 years ago
Could be broad mite; it attacks young fruit and as they grow, you get that characteristic. If it is broad mite damage, the fruit will ripen earlier and smaller, but for a lemon, still usable..
hoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA
9 years ago
I think John is right. Not enough damage for Botrytis. And, easier to treat. Thanks, John. One bug I haven't had to deal with here, fortunately.

Patty S.
sweetbiscuit
Original Author
9 years ago
Interesting. I will research it. You're right that this is appearing mostly on the younger fruit. Thanks so much.

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