how to can I post pictures here?

I'm new at this...... so your problem is far above me, but to post pictures you need to use the html code (begins with good luck with your trees!

-james

Looks like you may have had a combination of omnivorous leaf roller and caterpillar, possibly made worse by over-fertilizing... I tend to do that a cupla times a year with my home garden trees. Citrus should be fertilized 3 times per year, as they get 80% or more of their food from the first 18" of soil.

Your newer leaves look okay; and the leaf roller usually doesn't damage the tree...only makes it ugly. In my nursery trees I use Lannate, to control OLR, as it kills eggs, larvae, and adults. For established trees, check them every cupla days; and if you notice some insect damage, give them a shot of Sevin.

here are pictures again:

{{gwi:616278}}
{{gwi:616280}}

--Dwarf lemon--

{{gwi:616282}}
{{gwi:616283}}
{{gwi:616284}}
{{gwi:616286}}
{{gwi:616288}}
{{gwi:616289}}
{{gwi:616290}}

--Valencia orange--

{{gwi:616291}}
{{gwi:616292}}
{{gwi:616293}}
{{gwi:616294}}
{{gwi:616296}}

Well, since your trees are not producing yet, and not in flower, you can try Bayer Advanced Fruit & Citrus, which is Imadicloprid. That should knock out your pests. Also, be sure to clear out a nice well under your citrus. Grass and citrus trees are NOT a good combination. The grass will compete constantly with your citrus for water and nutrients. You need to make sure the well extends to at least the edge of the drip line (leaf canopy), perhaps a bit farther. Make sure the well ring is lower than the middle or your well near the trunk, to move water away from the trunk and to the feeder roots at the drip line. Sprinkle your fertilizer in the ring. Mulch the ring with compost and worm castings, and then top with small wood mulch to retain moisture (we can do this in S. California, not always a good idea in other citrus belt areas that are more humid or have more rain.)

And make sure your trees are not being sprinkled by your lawn sprinklers, a big no-no. Citrus really don't like that. They need to have 1 or 2 deep waterings weekly, depending upon the heat and rains (for us, winter rains are enough to water your citrus, they don't like being overwatered). You might want to lay off the bloodmeal, think that's just too much nitrogen, and can invite issues. Stick with your Vigoro, must make sure it's the Vigoro mix with micronutrients as well as the 3 big macro's. Or, if you can find it in your area, Grow Power Premium Citrus & Avocado fertilizer. And I agree, I fertilize 3 or 4 times a year. There can be "too much of a good thing". Lastly, if we have another winter and spring like we've had these last two years, you may want to start fertilizing in January, a little earlier, and also consider a foliar application of Grow More Citrus Growers Blend soluble fertilizer (different company than Grow Power)as the spring weather starts to warm up. Especially if you notice your leaves are looking a little chlorotic. It can be used as a foliar spray or applied to the roots. It really helps to replace micronutrients that can get washed out of the soil, especially if you're on sandy soil, or DG.

Patty S.

Patty:

My father said to thank you very much for your help!

He is in the tropics and preparing to plant a few citrus trees there. I read him what you said, along with treating insects since he has them too and appreciated all I read him from what you wrote. He says it will be very useful to him tomorrow.

Have a nice nice all

Mike

Patty and Mike...

I have 7,000 Improved Meyer Lemons planted here in Guatemala; I sure wish I could take care of them as you suggest. Truth is Meyers are not so sensitive once you get them out of the garden environment and treat them like a crop. Mike, where in the tropics is your Father planting citrus? I have a fair amount of experience in that sector, and would be happy to help him.

Well gosh, glad I could be of help! Where in the tropics is he? Florida, or the real tropics!?! Wow. I hate to have to stoop to something as toxic as Imadicloprid, but sometimes this is the only remedy. CLM is usually not life-threatening, except in very young citrus without much canopy. It's mainly a cosmetic thing for more mature citrus, but it can be the demise of a very young, small tree. I accidentally saved my front citrus from CLM which is just starting to appear for us here in S. California right now, but putting Bayer Advanced down for snails and slugs. So I was able to finally eradicate the snails and slugs, plus ended up protecting the trees out front from CLM.

Patty S.

Wow, John. That's an undertaking with Meyers. Here in the USA, due to exactly what you've mentioned, the Meyer has never made the crossover to the commercial ag industry in any big way. Which is such a shame since it is a really nice lemon. I'm not a big lemon fan - too tart for my liking - my I sure love my Meyer lemons I grow. They make the most delicious lemonade, and I use them for cooking, flavoring teas, etc. You must be doing something right to manage 7,000 Meyers! I'd love to see some photos of your orchards!!

Patty S.

Thank you John:-)

I am with Patty! Please do give us a tour . I would love that, better yet, I would love to visit your place in person.

My Dad is in Puerto Rico tending to my house there in the heart of the Island. I have a bit over an acre of land that has plenty of room for all kinds of fruit. I asked him to plant all kinds of citrus and he is not sure how,

Mike