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mccr_gw

Citrus Tree Help [Pics]

17 years ago

Hello, I planted a 15 gallon Valencia Midknight Tree about 3 months ago in my backyard. I used to have an ant/aphid problem, but got rid of them with just soap + water and some tanglefoot. Now my tree looks like it is lacking the proper nutrients and being infested by some caterpillars.

So here are my questions. What are those white spots all over the leaves? How do I get rid of the caterpillars? Lastly, how come my leaves are curling?

I live in Southern California and water my tree every Sat/Wed with 6-8 gallons of water. Also I fertilize it once a month with Kelogg Organic Fruit Tree. Thanks for any help/suggestions!

Here are some pictures, sorry for the quality I had to take them on my phone couldn't find my camera:

{{gwi:619623}}

Comments (14)

  • 17 years ago

    Looks like magnesium deficiency to me. I can't find that fertilizer, but check to see if it contains the micronutrients? If not, that is what you are missing. You might want to look at the fertilizer thread and the link noted below.
    Fertilizer thread: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/contain/msg0323131520631.html
    Ward

    Here is a link that might be useful: Dooryard Citrus Guide: Diseases and pests

  • 17 years ago

    I don't think you need to do much other than give it a little bit of time. Citrus usually take awhile to adjust to planting. There's a little bit of leaf curl, but for a plant that's been in the ground for only 3 months, I think your tree looks very good. I've found that B-1 helps the transition.

    Regular inspection and removal of caterpillars by hand is probably the most effective method on a tree that small. The white spots look like hard water deposits. Does it get sprayed with a hose or hit by sprinklers?

    6-8 gallons of water for a tree that small seems like a lot, unless you're in a really hot area. On the other hand if its working, keep doing it. In a nutshell, I don't think you have anything to worry about.

  • 17 years ago

    I agree with ricew0 that the yellowing areas between the leaf veins suggest a mineral deficiency; it could also be zinc, manganese, or iron. Check that fertilizer bag for micronutrients.

    You could apply a foliar feed of iron, zinc, and manganese which may help. See the UC Cooperative Extension publication "Questions_and_Answers_to_Citrus_Management" for some info specific to Southern California mineral requirements.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Questions_and_Answers_to_Citrus_Management

  • 17 years ago

    Thanks for all the replies. Yes, I also think that the white spots are from sprinkler system setup on the hill probably just misting down.

    I live in socal and it has been 90+ here almost everyday, so does 6-8 gallons seem ok?

    Here are my fertilizer stats:

    Kellog Organic Fruit Tree Fertilizer:
    4-5-4 (Nitrogen, Phosphate, Soluable Potash)

    I also bought another fertilizer called Vigoro Citrus & Avocado that i haven't used yet. Should I be using that instead. It's stats are:
    12-5-8

    If you need any other info on that let me know. I don't know what exactly I'm looking for in the fertilizer.

  • 17 years ago

    mccr, look for either the specific words "iron, zinc, manganese" OR the phrase "with micronutrients". If you don't see any such claims you may need to add them separately.

    You might also want to ask your local nursery about the soils in your area and what mineral deficiencies they know about. Alternatively, contact your local Cooperative Extension office, which may have a Master Gardener program to answer questions from home gardeners. They should be familiar with the soil situation in your area.

    The Q&A document I mentioned earlier recommends "the best course of action for backyard citrus is to treat for all micronutrients.... Use a micronutrient spray that contains iron, zinc, and manganese. Follow the directions for use on
    the label. Foliar nutrients are not taken up through the older leaves and therefore sprays must be
    applied to a new flush of leaves that are at two-thirds of their full size in spring and late summer." See questions 24 and 26. Don't spray in the heat of the day as it won't be effective when it dries out.

    Good luck, I'm dealing with a similar problem in a fully-grown navel orange tree that I neglected.

  • 17 years ago

    Oh, by the way, citrus like a lot of nitrogen, so the Citrus & Avocado fert is probably better in the long term. You can use the other stuff for the rest of the garden.

  • 17 years ago

    Thansk fofoca, I will look at your article and find out what kind of soil I am dealing with. On the bag all it has is: Also contains non-plant food Ingredients:
    Mycorrihizae
    Ectomycorrhizae
    Endomycorrhizaze

    Looks like I got scammed by home depot haha. I will stick with the other fertilizer then!

  • 17 years ago

    Then I think we agree you are lacking micronutrients and those need to be added to your fertilizing regimen.
    Ward

  • 17 years ago

    The caterpillars are those of the Giant Swallowtail Butterfly. Called the 'orange dog' by orchardists. Since you have one small tree, the absolute best method of control is to remove them by hand and toss them where the birds might find them. (Though with their clever disguise, birds don't typically find them tempting!)

    If you inspect your little tree occasionally, you can find the small round eggs that the butterfly deposits on the upper side of the leaves, not even hidden out of view. Look, too, for the caterpillars before they are large enough to cause significant damage.

  • 17 years ago

    Thank you rhizo, I actually did see that type of butterfly a couple weeks ago. I removed 3 caterpillars today couldn't find anymore.

    Under some of the new leaves there is this white gooey stuff that has like a black/brown line running through it. Is this from the caterpillars?

  • 17 years ago

    Nothing of that description sounds familiar to me. What about another picture?

  • 17 years ago

    Sorry it took so long to get a pic. Here is what I am talking about:

    {{gwi:619625}}

    {{gwi:619627}}

  • 17 years ago

    I will bet those are citrus leafminers, although I don't think we have them where I live.

  • 15 years ago

    i have a ruby red grapefruit tree over 20 years old just today noticed sap on the roots what can i do and what do i use to get rid of pest i still has much fruit but some branches are dry thank you

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