Citrus trees not doing well at all

12 years ago

My citrus trees are not doing well at all. They are all growing in pots in Roots Organics soil and Sunshine Mix #4.

Calamondin - About 2' tall, very green leaves, some fruit is growing, but . . . much of the new stems are COVERED with these strange "things." I thought they were black or brown aphids. I scraped them off with a q-tip and dipped it in water, some held its roundish shape, but others seemed to dissolve as if it were reddish-brown mud . . . as if it were droppings. Very strange.

Bearss lime - About 2' tall, but no new branches or leaves for 4 years. This tree has a few of the same strange things as the calamondin, the leaves are green but much of the new growth is curled. Flowers bloom, little tiny green fruit form, but falls off.

Meyer lemon - About 1' tall, recent purchase. Three little fruit formed, but two of them turned brown and look as if they will fall off.

I've been feeding the trees the Roots Organics Buddha Grow and Bloom, and watering every other day. Is it missing some nutrients? Do you think they will do better in the ground?

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Comments (11)

johnmerr
12 years ago
Please post some fotos; it sounds like you have a serious scale problem. If you post some pictures, you will get advice on how to help your trees.
springleaves
Original Author
12 years ago
Okay. I will try to take some pictures when the sun goes down.
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springleaves
Original Author
12 years ago
This picture shows the unidentifiable "things" found on the stems and back of leaves of the calamondin.
springleaves
Original Author
12 years ago
This picture shows the unattractive curling of the leaves of the Tahitian Lime tree. It has grown only a few inches in four years.
springleaves
Original Author
12 years ago
Another image of those unidentifiable "things." They are not usually found on the topside of the leaves. When I was trying to wipe them away with a q-tip, some ended up there.
superpoutyduck
12 years ago
Those look like aphids to me...
Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
12 years ago
You need to spray your citrus. Soap and Water could do wonders, or 1 part peroxide to 3 parts water. These things won't harm the plant, but will destroy aphids. Put coffee grounds in your pots instead of in the garbage. Citrus loves coffee grounds! Also, to produce fruit they need to be in full sun. Are they root-bound? Do you fertilize?
blazeaglory
12 years ago
Dang those look like the BIGGEST aphids I have ever seen!! If they are not aphids I dont know what they are. Spectracide Triazicide once and done CONCENTRATE will kill them just make sure to dilute because it is a concentrate. Dont get the other bottle, get the one that says OK for trees and fruit trees.
springleaves
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you for helping me identify the culprit. Does anyone know what the lighter brown specks are? When trying to spray them off, they seemed to stick to the stem or leaf and didn't fall off easily.
superpoutyduck
12 years ago
The bigger/darker ones are mature aphids, the smaller ones are immature aphids. They excrete a honey-sap that makes them sticky little buggers.
hoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA
12 years ago
Aphids for sure, the curling of the leaves are a classic feature. Aphids are VERY easy to treat without resorting to pesticides. Use insecticdal soap spray and a hard spray to knock them off. Their little probiscus' will break off when you knock them off, and then they can feed and starve. Also, you need to control ants, as they will farm the aphids and help them to propagate, as they harvest the sticky substance the aphids excrete from feeding on your citrus (gross, but yes, the ants are eating aphid poop). Control the ants, hose them off with a very hard spray of water, then spray the undersides of your new growth with insecticidal soap.

Patty S.