Meyer Lemon Tree Dropping Leaves!
Evan S (zone 6, MA)
7 years ago
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myermike_1micha
7 years agoIke Stewart
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Meyer Lemon tree leaves yellowing and dropping
Comments (5)Hi Jean, Thanks for the watering tips. When I bought the tree, the garden gave watering instructions: daily for a certain number of weeks, twice weekly for a certain number of weeks, then once a week after that. They said to have the hose on a very slow drip for about half an hour. Because of kids and dogs messing with the hose, I have instead stood there and held the hose while I water with a rapid stream of water, but still did it once a week. If you think it needs more water,I can definitely do that (the soil is very sandy so it doesn't hold much moisture) but the tree doesn't look the way I would it expect it to if underwatered. My other three citrus trees receive the same watering treatment and are doing okay. Just the last few days, I have seen black spots of the leaves- they're almost fuzzy like a fungus is growing on the leaf. I was guessing that it is greasy spot as that seems to be a problem in this area. However, I treated the tree with a neem-based product last weekend, and I think that ought to cover greasy spot, too, although I haven't seen any change yet. I'll try your watering suggestions today! Thanks!...See MoreMeyer Lemon, Lemon Drop & Mexican Lime Trees
Comments (5)To answer the original question it seems as tho the plants are just super stressed, and when they get stressed they drop their leaves and fruit to survive. They are getting much different conditions than they were at HD, where they outside or inside a greenhouse in HD? I am going to guess that they were inside or at least shaded, they had to be hardened off in before just putting them in full sun. This is done by SLOWLY introducing them to the sun for a short period of time gradually working up to full day sunlight. Stop fertilizing and watering until you know for sure they are dried out. Than completely soak and repeat the cycle. Citrus will survive slightly dehydrated better than they will flooded. The meter you are using measures the electric conductivity of the soil so if it is littered with fertilizers you will get false readings. Are you able to post pics of the trees and their pots? I would suggest a re-potting and pruning, but as you said you are new to gardening and this may scare you a bit. Do you have any friends with a green thumb that could help you with this? Don't expect any flowers or fruits till next year as said since the plants are so stressed, but you never know with some TLC and luck you may get some winter blooms. Again pics would really help, and good luck!...See MoreSuddenly sad Meyer lemon -yellowing/dropping leaves
Comments (18)I very strongly doubt that your tree has a phosphorous deficiency. I have NEVER heard of a phosphorous deficiency in container citrus, when it is regularly fertilized with a NPK fertilizer. Phosphorous does not leach from a container, as does nitrogen and potassium. Nitrogen and potassium are both VERY water soluble and readily leach with every watering, but not phosphorus. All of the leaves that are turning yellow, and dropping are the older leaves on the tree. Your tree is withdrawing the nitrogen from the leaves (thus they are yellowing) to reuse in other part of the tree before discarding them. When a leaf no longer is capable of supplying its expected quota of energy to the tree, it is quickly discarded. There is no welfare program for citrus leaves. However, your tree is also under fed. If the tree's problem was other than aged leaves, you would be seeing yellow dropped leaves from the new leaves also. Also it is not wise to add this and that chemical in hopes of coming across a cure. First ascertain what the problem actually is then correct it. I'm sure it was also not helpful to the tree to let it remain in the same container and "soil" for 5 years. Fertilize the tree using a high nitrogen fertilizer. You can add vinegar if you wish, but there are much better ways to acidify. Organic acids such as vinegar, have an extremely short life....See MoreMeyer lemon - small leaves turn yellow and drop
Comments (6)Here are three pictures from this afternoon. The small leaf in the container must be a newly dropped one some time today. I am in central WI. Our weather this week looks to range from 82F-88F with majority of days on the lower end. The lows are in the mid 60s. I will note that I do not think the tree has grown. At least there appears to be no new buds. I've had it for just over 3 weeks now. Note: I removed the stake once and the tree was angled about 45 degrees when I went out to look at it one day. I have it re-staked and tied near the very bottom now. This post was edited by Neurosci on Fri, Jul 5, 13 at 19:48...See MoreEvan S (zone 6, MA)
7 years agoEvan S (zone 6, MA)
7 years agoLaura LaRosa (7b)
7 years agoEvan S (zone 6, MA)
7 years agomyermike_1micha
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoLaura LaRosa (7b)
7 years agoEvan S (zone 6, MA)
7 years agoEvan S (zone 6, MA)
7 years agomyermike_1micha
7 years agoEvan S (zone 6, MA)
7 years agomyermike_1micha
7 years agoLaura LaRosa (7b)
7 years agoEvan S (zone 6, MA)
7 years agoEvan S (zone 6, MA)
7 years agoLaura LaRosa (7b)
7 years agoLaura LaRosa (7b)
7 years agoEvan S (zone 6, MA)
7 years agoLaura LaRosa (7b)
7 years agoLaura LaRosa (7b)
7 years agoLaura LaRosa (7b)
7 years agoEvan S (zone 6, MA)
7 years agoLaura LaRosa (7b)
7 years agoEvan S (zone 6, MA)
7 years agomyermike_1micha
7 years agoEvan S (zone 6, MA)
7 years agoEvan S (zone 6, MA)
7 years agoLaura LaRosa (7b)
7 years agoEvan S (zone 6, MA)
7 years ago
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