skip to main content

Lemon tree problem

9 years ago

My lemon tree is having all sorts of problems, the biggest being these nasty little things stuck on the leaves. I'm writing in hopes that someone can help identify them. There's also sticky sap-like substance that's getting stuck on the leaves, in addition to some curling of the leaves. Could this condition be related to the pests? I've attached some photos for reference.

A little background info on the tree, it's a result of a grocery store experiment- I grew it from a seed since about 6 years ago. With regular feeding with compost and pruning, it's been growing fairly healthy until recently. Because I live in NYC, (zone 6?) I've been keeping it inside for the winter.

Any ideas would be appreciated!

Featured Answer

Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A

9 years ago

Touch each scale with a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alchohol, or scrub them off with a damp cloth with dish soap (or do a search to see what others recommend).

Then treat with approved pesticide or Neem oil. Some use horticultural oil mix. I usually treat with mix of hort oil and Spectracide combo in a spray, but not in the house. Retreat every three days for several weeks. Get it taken care of sooner rather than later and be diligent to followup treatment.

Remove every one you see. Once you break the 'shell', they are gone, but small ones 'crawlers' continue to attach and grow. Especially check along leaf veins, at nodes, etc.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
9 years ago
you would be better off in the pest clinic or citrus forums ... ken
shlshl thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
User
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Looks like scale and/or aphids to me but the experts on the citrus forum will know for sure.
shlshl thanked User
Related Discussions
Potted lemon tree problems
Q
Comments (5)
vinigar treatment is adding vinigar to the water when you water it to lower ph (i believe lower) if your water or soil ph is too high. how hot is it getting in that room when you say maybe too hot? and how cold in the winter? i wouldnt leave the tree there all winter if it is dropping all its leaves.... if im not mistaken citrus are a form of ever green so thats not normal. but i dont think that is the issue (or causing this issue) in mid august. this could be due to the scales but im not sure honestly i have no experience with them. if i were you id treat them as you see them and keep fertalizing with a 3-1-2 ratio fertilizer (with added mg and ca). meyers eat up alot of food compared to other citrus so assuming your hydrating it enough it could just be hungry. after that you just need to watch and see how the plant reacts. repost if it worsens chris
...See More
Meyer Lemon Tree problem
Q
Comments (10)
John also lives in the Shangri-La valley. He has spring weather 24-7-365.25 along with perfect humidity balance. blazeaglory : -- John has always emphasized the important need of heavy feeding for Meyer lemon trees. The 2 real big advantages I have going for my tree are: I have mastered growing in an over sized pot with out the wet root problems associate with such. Second, I provide the tree with high quality light during the indoor season of my zone 6a. I take it you do also share the same success by maintaining a growing medium chock full of nutrients be it a potted or in ground tree. Would you share a picture of your tree with a detailed description of your growing practices. What kind of feed do you use. Thanks for the compliment on my well fed tree. The picture below shows my 3 sweetlee's at 1 year from seed with the light grow box they reside in for 5 months each year. The link gives a very good description on the trees and the box they grow in that allows them such good growth. Steve . Here is a link that might be useful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaASoeaBErs This post was edited by poncirusguy on Wed, Aug 20, 14 at 13:19
...See More
Dwarf Meyer's Lemon Tree Problem !!
Q
Comments (2)
Yes i have a feeling it is sun burn as well, because the side facing the sun (through the window) is green, but the side that was away, the branches have turned yellow and so have the leaves. How can i solve this sun burn problem ?? Is it going to go away ? And will it affect my tree in the long run ?
...See More
Meyer lemon tree problems
Q
Comments (17)
How often are you feeding it? I read that too frequent feedings/certain nutrient proportions could result in too much quick vegetative growth with less energies going into fruit development/production and quality of growth (quick and leggy) vrs. stockier and sturdy... but I just got my 1st meyer lemon baby and have only newly embarked on the adventure, there are a lot of experienced lemon lovers on here who can share their practiced knowledge, I look forward to reading their insites myself as a lot of info I've gathered seems to contradict the last source... I have however experienced the negative results of over feeding in a limp and leggy jade plant which while appearing otherwise healthy and happy, was not actually growing as strong as it could have, it's survived but will forever be a straggly specimen... I'd love any tips on keeping my lil'lemons until fully developed. growing on 5 days now, no leaf loss or signs of dismay under massive domed skylight recieving all day slighty filtered light and partial grow light exposure x16hrs, 100% indoors 74°-80° w/ceiling fan 24-7. ~greenirene circa '95 "When life gives you lemons, be grateful!"
...See More
User
9 years ago
True Citrus are extremely susceptible to scale indoors. I purposely overwinter mine in a garage (as the cold but frost free winter there avoids the bug issues). So, COOL is definitely better than warm and dry for Citrus over the Winter indoors. Otherwise, your best bet for indoor trees in the average overheated and dry NYC apartment would be Kumquats (Fortunella) or Calamondins (a mandarin x kumquat hybrid).
shlshl thanked User
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
9 years ago
That's a very serious scale insect infestation. The insects excrete a sticky waste product called honeydew.

Please visit the Citrus Forum for suggestions about how to best control the scale in a manner safe for indoor use. Lots of great people over there are container growers.
shlshl thanked rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
blakrab Centex
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Serious scale infestation. Since they are not very mobile, they secret "honeydew" to attract ants, who will then tend and protect them like cattle in symbiotic exchange for eating their "sap." And in addition, all that sap can also breed "sooty mold." So, sap suckers...really SUCK!!!

I would start scraping them all off with a toothpick ASAP... Cuz the less of them you have, the better!
shlshl thanked blakrab Centex
shlshl
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you everyone!
lucky_p
9 years ago
Scale. definitely.

Have just about given up on potted citrus here; bought some grafted plants, years ago that CAME infested with scale - they died, due to my lack of attention. Have since rooted some cuttings from my BIL's Meyer Lemon, on couple of occasions - they always get scale. I'll take 'em out in the yard and blast the suckers off with the water hose, making sure to get into any and & all crevices, tight branch angles, backs of leaves - and I still have to scrape some off here and there with a toothpick (or my fingernail).
shlshl thanked lucky_p

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Solve 3 Common Landscape Problems — With More Plants

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Sometimes the best defense is a good offense

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

ECLECTIC HOMES Houzz Tour: Problem Solving on a Sloped Lot in Austin

By Matthew Ankeny

A tricky lot and a big oak tree make building a family’s new home a Texas-size adventure

CHRISTMAS 10 Quick Solutions for Last-Minute Holiday Problems

By Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors

Sail right by potential decorating, hosting and gift-giving pitfalls with these invaluable nick-of-time tricks

DECORATING GUIDES Have Lemons? Make a Decorative Statement

By Lily Gahagan

Add a splash of citrus for some midwinter color therapy

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Problem Solving With the Pros: Rustic Simplicity in a Country Garden

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Editing thoughtfully and adding some magic result in a timeless weekend retreat

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Problem Solving With the Pros: How to Build a Garden in an Urban Canyon

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Skyscrapers, noise and deep shade create an unlikely sweet spot for a timeless green retreat in New York City

DECORATING GUIDES 5 Pet Problems Solved by Design

By Vanessa Brunner

Design-Friendly Ideas for Pet Beds, Bowls, Doors — and yes, the Litter Box

DECORATING GUIDES Solve Privacy Problems With Window Film

By Lindsey M. Roberts

Let the light in and keep prying eyes out with an inexpensive and decorative window film you can apply yourself

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Problem Solving With the Pros: An Abundant Garden Stretches Its Means

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Swaths of resilient, eye-catching plants thrive with little care or resources in the landscape of a Pennsylvania farmhouse

Sponsored

J.S. Brown & Co.

77 Reviews

Columbus Leading Full Service Design Build Firm

More Discussions

Is it possible to supplement a plant with glucose?

16

Is This a Sandbox Tree?

1

What do you think is wrong with my tree? And how can I save it?

9

Japanese Maple for sun/shady deck

2

Huge black maple in Michigan

4