kumquat tree: over- or underwatering (or else)?

bashchelik

6 years ago

Hello everyone,

in the past week I noticed my kumquat tree loosing a lot of
leaves and I am not sure what might be the reason, I am looking for some expert
advice.

I live in the Netherlands, the weather now is cold-ish, so I
keep the tree inside, in the terrace that is regularly opened for fresh air.
Still, recently we started heating so that might be a part of the problem. The
sun exposure is also not what I would like it to be, but it does get some
sunlight daily.

I do not think I changed anything in the way I water it. I
mostly water every week and a half or so, using around a liter of water.
Typically all the water is consumed, or does not come out, so I guess it is not
too much. The tree never has "wet feet". I regularly use good organic
fertilizer for citruses. I mist the leaves often as well.

The leaves loss is for now local, on three neighboring
branches, and so far I lost two of the fruits. I am attaching some photos to see the state of the fallen
leaves, but also the tree and the soil.

My problem is that I cannot recognize whether these signs
mean that the tree received too much or too little water. I do not know of a
way to check if the roots are damaged without re-potting, and I do not think
this is a good time to do that.

I would appreciate any advice. Of course I can provide more
information.

Thanks in advance!

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Comments (5)

Jason (Zone 10b, San Diego)
6 years ago
You may reach a wider audience in the citrus sub-forum. In any case, it is not uncommon for the tree to drop leaves, they could be getting old, the change in conditions from the move may have triggered it, etc. New growth should replace the old growth shortly. Your soil does not look too wet. Best way to check is to get a wooden dowel and stick it down into the pot. If it comes away wet or has dirt clinging to it, it's plenty wet enough.

The tree will support as much fruit as it can and it's not uncommon to lose the occasional fruit.

I think that you are doing everything right at this time.
bashchelik thanked Jason (Zone 10b, San Diego)
mblan13
6 years ago
I would give it supplemental lighting. Less watering when its cold, mist more often when its dry, but more light will probably help the most.
bashchelik thanked mblan13
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hibiscus909
6 years ago
If the roots are rotting, you do want to fix that. Depending on your potting mix, you may be able to at least pull the rootball out and look at it without too much disturbance.

When you water, it should run out the bottom, then you wait until the top inch (or more) is dry.

Over and under watering usually shows up as wilted or droopy leaves. If you water it and the leaves look perkier, then it was underwatered. Your leaves don't look wilted. Hopefully it is just due to the change in conditions.

Come over to the citrus forum, too!
bashchelik thanked hibiscus909
bashchelik
Original Author
6 years ago
Hello everyone,

Thanks for all the useful comments. I tried the dowel method, as was recommended,
but the soil is packed so tightly that it was really difficult to reach two
inches down. I don’t know if this could
also be a part of the problem. The plant
has been in that soil since it was bought
a year ago and maybe I should re-pot
as soon as it is not damaging for the plant. Anyway, looks like in a while
I should be watering again, there is still some moisture there but not too
much.

By now the state is not much better and it does not seem
like a normal process of shedding. The fruits also seem to be losing
their color. The leaves are still falling off, and
there is no new growth. Some small branches seem to be drying and losing their
green color.

In the end I figured it is probably not about
the watering (or at least not exclusively) but also about the sun. I will add some
artificial light and keep tracking. I will also re-post on the citrus forum, as
recommended.

Thanks so much!
Jason (Zone 10b, San Diego)
6 years ago
With the soil that compacted, definitely look to repot, it may be pot bound. I always try to up pot a plant bought from a nursery within a few months if I don't put it in the ground

kumquat tree: over- or underwatering (or else)?

Comments (5)

Jason (Zone 10b, San Diego)

mblan13

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kumquat tree: over- or underwatering (or else)?

Comments (5)

Jason (Zone 10b, San Diego)

mblan13

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