Lemon tree branch and leaf questions.

7 years ago

LHello All,

I have three lemon trees, I know that the tallest is Lisbon but am not sure of the other two. I should preface my questions with the fact that they have not had the best of care. Mostly me reacting to and trying to correct issues as they arise. This year I have been more attentive and in hopes to get better I have decided to join this forum and help my trees to flourish. The first question concerns the Lisbon, it a has a lower branch that began growing sometime ago. The rest of the tree began to put out leaves as well so I thought that it was just a growth spurt due to getting repotted and more attention. I have done the same with all three trees. They all bloomed and the two smaller ones now have fruit, but the Lisbon lost it's fruits when they were small and seems to have stopped putting out new growth except for the lower branch. So could it be that this branch is actually a sucker and I should cut it or am I having other issues. I have taken photos which I will try to attach. Also, while taking these photos I noticed that the support stake which was in the pot when I purchased the plant had cut into the trunk right where another branch joined and was rusting. Could this poison the tree? The two smaller trees have lately developed some leaf issues. Some is them seem mottled with yellow faint spots.

This is the lower branch and above it is where the metal rod was.

This is the top which has no new growth.

best photo I could get due to sun location of the entire tree.

Leaf issues of the two smaller trees

Thanks for any input, advice or criticism of my past care. I have referred to the input on this forum in the past only not as a member. By the way I am in Dallas, Texas if that helps in determining any helpful solutions. Thanks!

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Comments (4)

hobbyartisan (Saskatoon, SK Canada, 2b)
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
What mix are you using and what fertilizers?

No I don't think the rust from the metal rod is causing your problems. Most problems have to do with inappropriate mix, ferts, watering and or light levels. So let's dig a bit deeper to see which it is shall we :)?
altiptoentx thanked hobbyartisan (Saskatoon, SK Canada, 2b)
altiptoentx
Original Author
7 years ago
Hello and thanks for your reply hobbyartisan. As I stated above, I have been somewhat lax in my care and attention to my trees. The Lisbon I have had maybe three to four years in the same pot in which it was purchased, with plans to transplant. I finally got around to it at the beginning of the year. The mix that they are in is something I put together after opening a bag of miracle gro cactus and citrus soil and being totally disappointed. So I combined that with some decomposed granite, some perlite, and some compost as I try to recall. I honestly do not remember the type of fertilizer that I was using. It basically was whatever I may have been using for other plants and vegetables that may have been growing over the past years. Omsacote I think, vigaro, dynamite, miracle gro, Epsom salt, whenever they seemed to have issues. When they were first repotted they began to drop blooms and some leaves yellowed and dropped. But as I panicked,(I thought my homemade mix may have doomed them) they began to perk up with new growth, blooms, and better color. I began using this at repotting. Have been better with application about once a month until July then once this past Friday.

They are usually watered once a week sometimes twice. During the hottest past months sometimes every three days or so. They all get full sun at various times of the day although the Lisbon does not get as much as the two smaller trees. I was curious about the graft union after reading of the possibility of it taking over and killing the tree. Thanks for your input.

Another not so great photo of the union from a different angle where the branch comes off the trunk.
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Garret, the mix you speak of using is not appropiate for your tree if it is the one that I think it is that holds water far too long and break down only after a few weeks.. I have used it and killed a many plants with it, especially citrus. Just a heads up. I would use a mix that contains very few fine particles and that is very porous. Even one part of that mix to 2- 5 parts of perlite would be better. You know your area more than any of us and you would be able to judge whether your mix is drying out in a timely manner and whether or not that same mix is allowing the roots to breathe by good gas exchange every time you water. One that allows you to water more frequently without fear of root rot and salt deposit build up which is likely the demise of your tree. The root rot caused from too much moisture for too long and the salt deposits that is. A mix that will not compact and suffocate your roots causing you to have to start all over again and possibly loose another tree. Right now, your tree is VERY weak. You take your chance in using a wick in the hopes of that your mix will drain better and dry out more rapidly. OR, you can always risk repotting it, sort of a 911 thing and hope it perks up right away and that it does not shock your tree after what it's going through. I mean a full bareroot into a much better mix. You live down south like that? You have the advantage of much nicer weather and warmer days than me. Your sun also works much harder than mine. Why would you need supplemental lighting? Your sunny days in that tent, which I assume is very bright should be sufficient enough. Mike:-) This post was edited by meyermike_1micha on Wed, Jan 16, 13 at 15:49
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Laura LaRosa (7b)
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Where do you live? Will you bring it in for winter? Sorry, I'm in a rush now, but I definitely think starting by changing the mix would be a big help. Then start feeding it Foliage Pro routinely. Search 5-1-1 or gritty mix...I prefer the 5-1-1 because it is much lighter and your trees are quite large - you'd have trouble moving them if you used the gritty. Ask away and welcome to the forum!
altiptoentx thanked Laura LaRosa (7b)
hobbyartisan (Saskatoon, SK Canada, 2b)
7 years ago
Yeah it looks like that branch is below the graft line but it is hard to be sure from the pic. Does that branch look different than the other ones? I think we need better pictures if you can drag it into the light.
altiptoentx thanked hobbyartisan (Saskatoon, SK Canada, 2b)

Lemon tree branch and leaf questions.

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hobbyartisan (Saskatoon, SK Canada, 2b)

altiptoentx
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Lemon tree branch and leaf questions.

Comments (4)

hobbyartisan (Saskatoon, SK Canada, 2b)

altiptoentxOriginal Author

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Laura LaRosa (7b)

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Original Author