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branch die back on Lime/Lemon tree

8 years ago

Last year I picked up a potted lime tree in a supermarket: citrus auranthifolja - Lime La Vallette - I think it's a Lime/lemon mix.

Lots of its branches have died over the winter. A couple of weeks ago when it seemed like spring was here I pruned off all the dead bits but the next week we had another coldish spell. Since then several more branches have died. Should I keep pruning them ahead of the brown? It has some new growth but I'm worried the dieback will spread to these bits too. Or is it better to leave it?

It flourished on our balcony all of last year, flowering for months and producing lots of limes. We live in Tuscany, Italy, so hot summers and cold winters (although no frost). For winter we wrapped it in a couple of layers of fleece and kept it in a sheltered corner - a bit too sheltered to get much rainwater but I watered it about once a week.

I've started uncovering it during the day (temps. in the early twenties celsius) but leaving it covered at night (around 10 °C).

Any advice appreciated,

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Comments (4)

tim45z10
8 years ago
Talk to us about the potting soil.
MinaLoy
Original Author
8 years ago
It was soil especially for citrus trees. I don't kno the brand or the specific composition. It looks quite dark but has white bits in, if that helps. It seems to be fast draining,
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citrange2
8 years ago
If, as you say, the plant hasn't suffered from frost, then the problem is almost certainly due to watering. Over-watering leads to root rot and branch dieback, but my guess in this case is under-watering.

Once they are dry, some potting soils are very hard to re-wet and water frows straight out around the sides. I would carefully remove the whole thing from its pot and see if parts of the soil are completely dry. If so, you need to soak it completely immersed in a large bucket of water (not too cold) for 24 hours.

You can see new growth just starting in your photo. Wait until this grows a bit more before cutting off the dead branches. But this growth will need enough moisture to grow as temperatures increase. Citrus in pots must never be soggy, but never allowed to dry out completely either.
MinaLoy thanked citrange2
MinaLoy
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks, that's very helpful. Definitely not actual frost although it might have got a little chilly, I'm not sure what temp. it can cope with.

I think it's more likely that it got too dry than too wet as it was in a very sheltered corner. I have probably been a bit erratic with my watering since we wrapped it up for the winter and I was thinking that erring on the drier side would be better, without thinking of the particular soil.

I will check it tomorrow and soak it if the soil looks dry in parts. If on the other hand the soil looks soggy all the way through is there anything you can do? Or just try to start a good watering routine from now on and hope for the best?

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