Lemon, Lime & Orange tree - Leaves look tired, curled, yellow.

6 years ago

Hi, I've got a lemon, Lime and orange tree in by backyard which have been giving excellent fruits a few months ago but they look a little tired now. The leaves looked curled up at the top and at some other parts of the plant. It also looks like the leaves have been eaten by pests and are also turning yellow.
I've been reading that leaves turning yellow might have to do with Iron deficiency. Can you suggest what I do in terms of making these trees better again? I would prefer to use natural fertilizers or similar things to help it get better rather than other options as we use the fruits ourselves.
These trees are in Melbourne!

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Comments (5)

Silica
6 years ago
Leaf miners, you can visibly see the tunnels through the leaves. Look up Citrus leaf miners on the Internet, there is tons of information. available.
Nav D'Silva thanked Silica
johnmerr
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Looks also generally under nourished. If you want to stay "natural" look for Espoma Citrus Tone and apply according to label, at the dripline, and water in well. Melbourne is not an ideal climate for citrus; but you should be able to grow a healthy and attractive plant with the proper care.
Nav D'Silva thanked johnmerr
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Nav D'Silva
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks Silica & Johnmerr.

Is it because of under watering or lack of nutrients that make it under nourished? I water it for about 15 minutes every third day through a basic sprinkler system but I've not used any fertilizers in the last 4 months. I've moved in recently to this house and I'm still trying to learn how to take care of these plants. Appreciate the advice offered! Cheers.
johnmerr
6 years ago
In ground citrus should be fed well 3 to 4 times per year with a good balanced citrus fert. that has an NPK ratio of 5-1-3 (5-1-2 for Meyers) and includes Magnesium, Calcium, Iron and Zinc. Apply the fertilizer at the drip line of the tree and water it in well; if it is left on the surface, grass and other plants will steal it, as citrus are generally poor competitors.
Ed
6 years ago
Silva- My trees look just like yours lately... I am in central Florida so took soil samples to UF 8n January. We were in a drought then. Numbers were ok. Few leaf miners but that is no big deal. Then about May? the trees starting looking poor. Much rain. Over the summer we have had 2-6" almost daily. On August 20th we had the total amount of yearly rain already. Took another sample of soil in and times/fertilized. UF says the huge amount of rain is washing nutrients from the soil throughout our region. The trees are not really 'thirsty' so even when fertilizer is applied it is not taken up because ground is always wet. Then that days rain ...and the next... and so on... wash away the nutrients. Everyone zI know is having same problem. Scary because I don't want our wells contaminated with fertilizer salts.

Lemon, Lime & Orange tree - Leaves look tired, curled, yellow.

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Lemon, Lime & Orange tree - Leaves look tired, curled, yellow.

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Silica

johnmerr

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Ed

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Nav D'Silva
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