The Tropical Fruit Forum

Citrus => Citrus General Discussion => Topic started by: snapshot on August 11, 2019, 04:59:50 PM

Title: Leaves Dropping Off My Meyer Lemon
Post by: snapshot on August 11, 2019, 04:59:50 PM
I have just joined the forum. I have a meyer lemon, a blood orange and a calamondin orange. I presently have them outdoors for at least another month. The meyer lemon has begun to lose its leaves. I checked the soil and it is moist to the touch. It has about 13 small lemons and quite a few new flowers(counted close to 30). The leaves are a bright green and some smaller leaves(new growth). There does not seem to be an insect problem. I brought the lemon indoors and placed it in my grow tent with a light and a humidifier. The leaves have continued to fall. I estimate that about 2/3 of the leaves have fallen. I am wondering if removing the fruit and blossoms would help. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Incidentally both oranges plants are doing well outside. Any suggestions would greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance   :
Title: Re: Leaves Dropping Off My Meyer Lemon
Post by: Millet on August 11, 2019, 08:48:07 PM
You have not given enough information for us to give you a precise answer.  I would advise you to slip the tree out of its container and examine the tree's root system.  When a citrus tree drops many of it leaves, the problem is frequently due to root damage, such as root rot.
Title: Re: Leaves Dropping Off My Meyer Lemon
Post by: snapshot on August 12, 2019, 11:06:03 AM
I have pulled the tree from its pot and the roots appear healthy. I could not see or feel any slimy roots.The roots appear to be firm and white. I have included two photos of the root ball when I removed it from the pot.  When I replanted the tree, I added additional sand for better drainage.
(https://i.postimg.cc/7GtTcDx6/IMG-2727.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7GtTcDx6)

(https://i.postimg.cc/MfcjJ4TY/IMG-2728.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MfcjJ4TY)
Title: Re: Leaves Dropping Off My Meyer Lemon
Post by: Millet on August 12, 2019, 03:28:49 PM
That is quite a big root system.  What size pot was the tree growing in?  Could be that the tree needed to be transplanted into a larger container.  Has your tree been growing in that same  container for more then 2 years?
Title: Re: Leaves Dropping Off My Meyer Lemon
Post by: snapshot on August 12, 2019, 03:42:40 PM
I purchased the lemon tree about four months ago. It was planted in a one gallon black pot. After about a month I transplanted the tree in a 3 gallon pot. It was doing well until recently when the leaves started to drop.
Title: Re: Leaves Dropping Off My Meyer Lemon
Post by: Oolie on August 12, 2019, 04:53:35 PM
Lemons will defoliate if not receiving adequate water. Looks like a lot of roots for a #3 pot, it could probably use up the water in a couple days.
Title: Re: Leaves Dropping Off My Meyer Lemon
Post by: Bomand on August 12, 2019, 04:59:22 PM
Very possible a drainage problem. I would repot in a 5 gallon container with good mixture. Sometimes when you move a tree in or out of an area light matters. Of course the first sign of an unhappy tree is leaf drop. That is a good rootball and looks to be healthy from hour pics. When its hot and dry water every other day. See if you get some improvment.
Title: Re: Leaves Dropping Off My Meyer Lemon
Post by: snapshot on August 12, 2019, 06:52:21 PM
Thanks To all that replied some great suggestions and comments, will definitely try a bigger pot. Thanks again
Title: Re: Leaves Dropping Off My Meyer Lemon
Post by: Sylvain on August 13, 2019, 04:20:43 AM
On the picture you might have washed the most important place: the collar.
When the roots are OK and the leaves are falling you must think of the collar.
Title: Re: Leaves Dropping Off My Meyer Lemon
Post by: snapshot on August 13, 2019, 08:18:25 PM
When I lifted the tree from the pot, I used a small hand rake to clean the roots. I did not wash any part of the tree root. I didn't feel the need to wash it. Thanks for the tip
Title: Re: Leaves Dropping Off My Meyer Lemon
Post by: snapshot on August 18, 2019, 12:19:28 PM
It has been 5 days since my last post and my meyer lemon has completely lost all of the leaves. Since my last post I have replanted the tree in a bigger pot. I have added new soil and the drainage is good. I added some nutrients when I moisten the soil. I have included a picture of what the tree looks like now and a picture of the last leaf that fell. There doesn't   appear to be any browning of  the branches and the last leaf appears to be a good shade of green. I have the taken plant indoors and placed it under a grow light. Am I beating a dead horse or is there a chance that the tree may revive. Any suggestions or comments wopuld be appreciated. Thank you
(https://i.postimg.cc/hf3JNMYf/IMG-2744.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hf3JNMYf)

(https://i.postimg.cc/k202gGqC/IMG-2746.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/k202gGqC)
Title: Re: Leaves Dropping Off My Meyer Lemon
Post by: Bomand on August 18, 2019, 03:07:45 PM
5 days is not enough for your efforts to show
 Give it a little more time and watch. The decline did not happen in 5 days and the recovery will not happen in 5 days. Lets give it a chance..
...
Title: Re: Leaves Dropping Off My Meyer Lemon
Post by: Millet on August 18, 2019, 03:20:34 PM
As long as the wood remains green, the tree is still alive.  The Meyer lemons tendency to drop leaves and show signs of other concerns is very well known.  It is a very finicky plant.
Title: Re: Leaves Dropping Off My Meyer Lemon
Post by: snapshot on August 18, 2019, 04:53:51 PM
Would it be better to bring it in doors under the grow lights and humidifier or leave the tree outdoors in natural sun
Title: Re: Leaves Dropping Off My Meyer Lemon
Post by: Bomand on August 18, 2019, 07:43:45 PM
As long as you have warm and water outside  I would leave it till I had to bring it inside. The longer in natural conditions the better for the tree.
Title: Re: Leaves Dropping Off My Meyer Lemon
Post by: snapshot on August 18, 2019, 10:18:23 PM
Thanks, I appreciate the advice