Is there something wrong with my 4-yr old lime tree?

last year

Hello. I have had a green lime tree that I have finally managed to help flower and grow some limes! I put some great citrus fertilizer and added a teaspoon of epsom salt in half a gallon water and it has finally bloomed. But since i got the tree, the leaves have always been discolored and unhealthy looking. Further inspection of the leaves, they are dry, some have curled up and some have holes in them. Is it an infestation? A fungus? Am I missing something in the soil? Or is it normal for my area? Although the leaves look like that, there are still little limes growing. Please advise, I am a new gardener!

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Babka NorCal 9b

last year

Where are you? Location? Citrus needs to be fertilized every month. Is it in the ground? In a pot? Sun exposure? How often do you water? So many questions, need a lot of answers.

-Babka

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poncirusguy6b452xx
last year
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evelyn A
Original Author
last year
I am located in hanford ca. i fertilize this tree every 2 months and I started since march. It is planted in the ground and I water everyday. It has grown fruit and still sprouting little ones, but the leaves look so unhealthy :(
Babka NorCal 9b
last year
last modified: last year
Nothing planted in the ground needs water everyday, unless they are cuttings! Even plant nurseries water every other day and those things are in pots. When did you plant the tree and how large was the pot? 5 gal? perhaps? Dig a little a few inches down into the original rootball and see if the water is getting there or just going into the surrounding soil. Are you just sprinkling? The whole rootball needs to get water, and drainagle needs to be good.

-Babka

Just re-read your original post. 4 years old and you water it everyday? The spots could be a fungus. Have you tried a fungus control? The curled up/ burned leaves suggest lack of water, but you never know. Tomatoes curl up their leave with too much water. Trial and error with gardening.
CA Kate z9
last year
I'm seeing something in photo 3 that looks like it might be an infestation. I'd suggest cutting it off and taking it to your local Ag Agent.

Your leaves look like they are not getting water.

How was this planted?

Did you dig a hole and then added bagged soil? You shouldn't do this because there might not be a lot of water transfer between soil types. Always use the soil you took out of the hole. Our adobe-type soil really is pretty good if you keep it watered.

Was it root-bound when you planted it and didn't get unwound?

Perhaps the roots have spread out and you're watering only by the base of the tree.

There are a number of reasons for lack of water. Like was said above, check various areas after watering to see if the roots are getting water.

Also, you might be fertilizing too much. The Ag advice is 3 times: February, March/April and then in July. I'm not sure why the Epsom Salts. I just use Citrus fertilizer those three times, and my lime, lemon and kumquat are fine. ( They are in the ground, not in pots. Pots need more frequent fertilizer.)

Good luck! Kate
Babka NorCal 9b
last year
Bob Tanem . nursery owner and radio Garden guru for over 20 years in the Bay Area says organic fert once a month year round for citrus. Just checked a major supplier (Four Winds) of citrus, which suggests that the uptuurned leaves indicate too much moisture. Everyday watering would be considered excessive.

This from the growers:

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2336/3219/files/Citrus_Growing_Guide.pdf?v=3947751513777890453

But only YOU know what is going on, by digging down into the rootball and seeing what is going on down under. Is it soggy, or is the water running off, does it drain well etc.

-Babka
CA Kate z9
last year
Babka, it seems the Freno County Master Gardeners have different directions for in-ground plants. Orchardists would go nuts fertilizing every month. And, I have been going by what they say. It seems sufficient for my 3 trees.

I have a Meyer Lemon in a pot and it needs fertilizer about once a month. I do know that citrus are heavy feeders and plants in pots don't get the nutrients that are present in the ground.

I agree that there's probaby too much water, but is she pouring it in the right place?
Babka NorCal 9b
last year
Kate- Watever works for you, (fertilizer-wise) keep doing it. So will I. ;-)

-Babka
Silica
last year
The official recommendation put out by the Univ. of California @ Riverside For fertilizing a 4 year old citrus tree :: Fertilize 3 times/year (during the growing season) in a complete circle extending from the tree trunk out to the drip line with 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 fertilizer.

Is there something wrong with my 4-yr old lime tree?

Babka NorCal 9b

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Is there something wrong with my 4-yr old lime tree?

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