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Citrus California Gardening Fruit & Orchards

orange tree in the ground - help with leaf drop (southern CA)

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Our orange tree has been in the ground for several years, and the previous owner had no issues with it and it generally produces a lot of fruit. Over the past few months, one side of the tree--the southeast side--has been losing leaves pretty consistently. The bare branches have no fruit, but the side of the tree that looks healthier (the other side) has a lot of green fruit.

Water 2x/week, fertilize with Vigoro citrus & avocado every few months.

I snapped photos of the whole tree, a yellowing leaf that hasn't dropped yet (potassium deficiency??), and a photo of the bark (not sure if the blotches are normal). Any clues as to what might be going on?

Thanks!

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Comments (2)

lgteacher
4 years ago
Twice a week may be too often. Also, the rocks around the base of the tree are forming a basin. Does water collect there, or does it run out? Tree roots extend far out from the trunk, so watering should be done around the tree past the outer circle of rocks as far as the branches extend.

A nutritional deficiency would show up on leaves in different parts of the tree, not mainly on one side.

I would say Santa Ana wind damage is a possibility, but I'm not sure about what side of the tree that would affect where you live. Where I am, wind damage happens on the northwest side of the tree, and it's been quite a while since we've had a strong wind. It's most likely overwatering.
Dea Wayne thanked lgteacher
Dea Wayne
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks for the insight.

Water runs out of the rock basin just a few minutes after watering is done. Good point regarding the root area...the right half of the roots get watered by the sprinklers every other day, too, outside of the rock basin.

There haven't been any strong winds recently, and the left side, which is losing leaves, is actually close to the side of the house and the side gate. I'm wondering if the sun hits the left differently than the right.

After looking at lots of websites about leaf diagnosis, it almost looks like nitrogen deficiency/overwatering, with older leaves gradually turning yellow and then falling off--so that would go along with what you're guessing. I'll guess I'll water once a week.
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