Random Meyer Lemon Leafs Yellowing
Hi all, I was wondering if you could help me identify the cause of what appears to be random leaf yellowing and drop on my Meyer Lemon tree that's in for the winter. See two examples below:
Every week or so since maybe December, I've lost two-three leaves on my tree. They never seem to be at the bottom, which is where I would normally expect to see issues from overwatering, and I'm only watering once a doll rod comes out dry just about everywhere except the very bottom.
The tree is planted in ~40-50% pine bark fines, 20% perlite, and maybe a 30-40% mix of compost, potting soil, and manure, but most of the pot is the soil the plant came in from Four Winds Growers. It dries fairly fast, around a week even indoors, and I have a wick hanging from the bottom to help prevent a perched water table in the soil. I have probably 14 holes drilled in the bottom of the pot. When I water, I water until the soil is evenly moist. Quite a bit. Clay pot suspended in a glazed pot.
In the last month and a half, I've probably used a tiny bit of Foliage Pro twice.
Temperatures in my home range from 63 to 68 degrees. Humidity typically ranges from 34%-44%, dropping when I'm away. I've started to run a humidifier again to maintain a constant 40% nearby. It rarely has to run. Soil temperature is 66 degrees currently. Leaf temperature is 63-65 degrees depending on how close to the window you are.
While the plant is in front of a SW sliding door, sunlight is limited in Wisconsin in the winter, and I live in a city which further limits light. I was almost assuredly not getting it enough light, but recently installed two of these grow lights, and it seems much happier:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NP1H25N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They're on for probably 12 hours a day. Depending on where you put the sensor, I can measure ~20-50 kilolux at night.
When I first got the plant, I almost immediate found 1 mealybug on the plant. I have since only ever found one more. I know, I know. You never find just one mealybug. But I swear, that's the case. Removed, and plant washed with rubbing alcohol + water.
In the week before I got the grow lights, I noticed a minor spider mite infestation. Half a dozen washes mostly of rubbing alcohol + water, a few of baby soap + water, and I haven't seen them for maybe three weeks.
What is CRAZY is maybe once a month, I'll see a single drop of honeydew on the plant. Like one single aphid or mealybug had a snack. But no recognizable signs of any bugs!
I've treated the soil with nematodes twice just because I saw these guys, and I couldn't tell if they were mites or soil aphids.
The soil I added to the pot upon receipt was microwaved.
I have clearly tried a lot of things over the course of several months. So, that said, any idea why I might be getting this discoloration and leaf drop?
Comments (6)
poncirusguy6b452xx
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Meyer Lemon, yellow leaf tips
Comments (2)It looks like mild biuret toxicity -- not bad. Biuret is a contaminant of fertilizers that have at least part of their nitrogen in the form of urea. It is a byproduct of the manufacturing process. Most house plants are fairly tolerant, but citrus, more than most, is affected. You might try switching to a different fertilizer manufacturer, or even find a formula that does not contain urea, although there is nothing wrong with urea if the biuret has been removed. In the mean time, this is likely the only symptom you'll see, and it has been our experience that the trees continue to grow just fine....See Moremeyer lemon leaf drop after using hid(mh) for one week
Comments (3)400w is a lot for a 2 year old dwarf. Not too much just a lot. Like the previous poster said it will get used to it after the leaf drop. I have a 1000w hps over 9 citrus 2 avocado 3 seedling avocado 3 peppers a seedling cinnamon 5 seedling crillo cacao and a tiny pomegranete. So I am familiar with indoor growing of sub tropical and tropical plants. I noticed replicating a mediterrian climate has made the trees even more healthy. For me it's as easy as closing the heat duct in my grow room and door letting it get to the high 30's at night and high 50's in the day in winter. But I reconise that I got lucky that my temps in a non heated room are so ideal....See MoreMeyer Lemon with leaf curling and yellowing
Comments (2)They are called leaf miners because they get inside of the leaves. Once they are in they are virutally impossible to get out. External applications will not get inside of the leaves so to that extent you are wasting your time. However, neem oil sprayed on the young tender leaves will stop the moth from landing on it in the first place. Don't over do-it. Reapply if rain washes it off and as the new leaves grow. I have a young meyer lemon with the same issue. The neem seems to be stopping further infestations. I doubt that it will kill the tree but it certainly seems to be able to stunt a limb....See MoreMeyers lemon leaves turning yellow & dropping
Comments (39)Graham, That really stinks that you can't put it outside..I can imagine you wanting to for sure. You are trying your best. I would say you are getting the reverse effect of a lack of DIRECT sunlight. Is the sun way above the window at this angle giving that tree just sunlight, not direct sun? If anything, if that tree can hang on another month or two, which it just might as long as you watch your watering habits and that mix is porous, it will probably actively start growing once the sun dips below the top of your window and start shining directly in it as the sun angle lowers... That is exactly what use to happen to my sisters when she had to keep hers inside all summer. Please, keep us update, As long as the roots are ok, it might have a chance. I just hope the roots will survive long enough without leaves to help them along. Keeping my fingers crossed for ya....See More
Zebb
4 years ago
Here's a picture of the whole tree.
The problem is, at 2-4 leaves per week, the tree is going to be close to naked come spring! Is this really normal?
norwoodn
4 years agoZebb
4 years agoponcirusguy6b452xx
4 years ago
Silica