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Citrus Plant Propagation garden

New Growth on my Meyers Lemon Tree Wilting Before Watering

6 years ago

So I've been working hard to try and not Over or Under water my Meyers Lemon Tree. It's been growing well throughout the winter and has put on a ton of new growth. It seems like that new growth starts to say/wilt when it needs to be watered but lately the soil still feels slightly damp. This was my first tree so I only used a MG Cactus Soil, planning to report in a 511 mix this summer, unlike my other citrus trees.

Normally the new growth is straight and firm, when it starts to drop should I water it again? Typically I'm watering once a week. I like in 7b and have the tree under two grow lights with a humidifier right next to it. The house stays a fairly constant 68, but the trees close to the window so it my get a bit colder.

The trees also been losing a few of it's oldest and largest leaves from when it was at the greenhouse. Not sure of that's related

Featured Answer

Silica

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

The reason that the new leaves on your tree wilt much sooner than the more mature leaves, is due to the fact that tender young leaves have a much higher transpiration rate then do older leaves. Therefore, they lose water to the atmosphere at a higher rate than the tree's older leaves. This is a VERY common occurrence and not much to worry about, unless the root system becomes overly dry.

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Comments (10)

Denise Becker
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I water when the new leaves wilt. If you are afraid of over watering, then add just a quart or two and see if the flush straightens up. I believe this is a sign that the feeder roots on top need water, not the roots at the bottom. I had this problem today myself.
lucky_cloud
6 years ago
I had this problem today too! Funny. I was worried for a second and then I thought "oh, it's just dry." Sure enough, the new leaves perked right up shortly after I gave it a drink.
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Hey! So my lemon is nearly ripe now. I suspect only a few more weeks. It has taken a LONG time! I am so excited! I went on break for a few weeks and right before I left I gave my tree double watering with no nutrients. When I came back there had been a lot of new growth and color development in the big guy/girl. I also have a neighbor (an older lady) who has had it rough (her husband dying, her daughter has cancer, a few of her dogs died; etc.) and I would always talk to her about plants when I went out back, on the deck, at my mom's house. They are both very kind, her and the daughter, but I don't know them all that well. Anyway, this christmas/channukah, my mom received this box on the doorstep, and what was it? A mineola tangelo tree (3 years old from four-winds). How sick? So I have some pictures of the Meyer, which I have had for about 7 month or more now and a picture of the new little gal, Susane (Mineola Tangelo): Susane (mineola tangelo - This is either a tangerine crossed with a pumelo OR a manderine orange crossed with a grapefruit) Maybe someone can make heads or tails of it. I have read about these and know about their non-self-pollinating characteristic. I will hopefully be able to pollinate it with my meyer. We will see. Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the New Year! Happy 2013, Doc Citrus
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Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)
6 years ago
The problem with giving it little sips of water, as you are planning to to do, is salt buildup. If you are going to water that way, you should periodically flush accumulated salts with plenty of water.
coreycampbell1987 .
6 years ago
Is there a heat vent nearby ? it just looks thirsty to me. Mine do this as well.
Jeff
Original Author
6 years ago
Yea it's right over top a vent, I've turned it off but it still gets warm.
coreycampbell1987 .
6 years ago
I asked that because mine are above a heat vent and my house is extremely dry. When my heater runs a lot during cold weather I water quite. The more experienced people on here have told me that if the first few inches of soil are dry you can water. The pic below is my situation, I cannot close the vent as it is the only source of heat for my kitchen :)
coreycampbell1987 .
6 years ago
meant to say water "quite often"
HU-402769934
2 years ago
I'm new at this with citrus trees mine were doing well then all of a sudden new growth was wilting it rained last night and they are soaked so it's not need for water and I repotted them with fertilizer and organic soil got some buds still on them just new growth wilting what can it be
poncirusguy6b452xx
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
From Silica

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

The reason that the new leaves on your tree wilt much sooner than the more mature leaves, is due to the fact that tender young leaves have a much higher transpiration rate then do older leaves. Therefore, they lose water to the atmosphere at a higher rate than the tree's older leaves. This is a VERY common occurrence and not much to worry about, unless the root system becomes overly dry.

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