What makes a citrus leaf shiny?

[CanadianCitrus]

Hi all,

So as we know for the most part a healthy citrus plant would be partnered with dark green and SHINY leaves. So I’m starting to understand what effects colouring of leaves(over watering,  nutrient deficiencies, pests, weather).

My question is, what makes leaves shiny. Additionally, what factors affect the shine of a leaf? Some of my plants are thriving, while others have dark green leaves but dull with no shine.

Thanks!!!

[lebmung]

If you refer to thosee plants from shops, they are sprayed with oil othrwise no  citrus plant sgines naturally.

[sunny]

Spray water with a little sugarcane molasses and they will look like from a factory.

[Vlad]

All plants have a wax on the surface of their leaves which makes them shiny.

[Bomand]

Who would like their citrus to have shiny leaves.....not natural. I often am dismayed after the use of neem oil as it makes my leaves shine. Florists use the shiny leaves to attract customers, much like shinning apples to attract customers. I guess those that have citrus in the house want their trees to be attractive. With citrus.....shiny....does not mean healthy.

[Millet]

Shinny depends on what one would call a shinny leaf.  Vlad is correct, in that the natural wax coating of a leaf produces a shinny leaf.  Not as shinny as a leaf artificially coated with a leaf spray.

[CanadianCitrus]

Fair enough, I didn’t realize that sprays were used to make an artificial shine. I was just wondering why when new healthy growth/flush happens the leaves tend to be a little bit shiny. However, some mature leaves although appearing to be healthy are very dull and have no shine. Almost flat looking.

Thanks again everyone!!

[Millet]

A citrus leaf has a life span of 18 to 24 months then is discarded.  Like humans, we look quite shinny at 18, but at 80 the shine has diminished.

[lebmung]

Citrus can live up to 200 years, I guess they are luckier than humans

[Millet]

I know of a Sour Orange tree many, many, many, many years older than 200 years of age. 

[dlhvac]

Neem oil citrus