Eureka Lemon and Orange Leaf problems :(

18 years ago

Hey all,

I just started browsing through your forums and you guys have some AMAZING citrus growing I'm very jealous ! Well I know you guys get tons of these every week but I will try to give you all the best description of whats wrong.

I live in Lake Elsinore, CA. I recently purchased a Meyer Lemon, Eureka Lemon, and I think Washington Naval Orange from Lowes, all dwarfs. I see now that I probably should have ordered them from one of these citrus online sites, but I will do that in the future.

They are still in the same pots that I purchased them in: little 5Gallons. The soil seems to be sand/dirt/and some woodchips: standard Lowes soil. The two lemon trees have some green pebbles in them aswell, I assume miracle grow. I am only watering when the first inch/inch and a half is dry. I am considering purchasing a couple of those root watering monitors, so I can know exatly when to water them, in the case that I am doing something wrong with the watering. They have been in direct sunlight from mid-day till sunset since purchased. I havent fertalized any of them except the Eureka Lemon which I put a little bit of steer manure on the top three days ago.

Here are some pictures of the Eureka's leaves. This is the bottom right of the plant:

http://img220.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00433yo0.jpg

This is the bottom left:

http://img210.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00434lh1.jpg

And this is the top left:

http://img210.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00435zr1.jpg

And here is the whole tree:

http://img210.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00429os4.jpg

So far the tree would have a couple flowers but then they would die off. There is NO fruit growing on it whatsoever. I do now see about 10-11 really tiny flowers begining to sprout up all over tho, but I really would like to take care of these yellow/brown leaves, and make sure its health is up to par.

Here is the picture of the leaves on the Washington Naval Orange:

http://img213.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00436au8.jpg

These are the only leaves that have the browning/yellow on the orange tree, but I would like to stop it before it spreads!

And here is a picture of the Meyer Lemon, its doing pretty good:

http://img213.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00432wb4.jpg

Well thankyou all for any advice/help you can provide a true beginner with! :)

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Comments (6)

jean001
18 years ago
First a comment about the potting mix: That's not a Lowe's standard because Lowe's didn't grow the plants. Instead, it's the standard mix used by commercial growers for citrus.

The reason? Citrus absolutely must have *excellent* drainage.

The Eureka:
The bleaching is from exposure to excessively bright light.
Pix 2 shows old damage -- not to worry.

The Washington Navel -- Same problem. Exposure to excessively high light while the roots were somewhat short of water. It happened a while ago.

The Meyer -- Yes, it looks in pretty good shape.

Bottom line for your trees:
-- In your area, citrus are typically first brought to retailers during March.
-- Some remain too long at the retail outlet and become shopworn because of erratic watering, and often no supplemental fertilizer until the customer takes it home ... and starts worrying.
-- That's likely the case with your Eureka and Navel. The Meyer probably arrived at the retailers later.

Next step -- if possible, get them into the ground.

For your future citrus purchases, shop during March, when the plants have just arrived.

Jean who previous gardened in SoCal for 30-some years.
jean001
18 years ago
I neglected to mention about the bud drop --

It's common for more than 50 percent of citrus buds to drop.

In your case, that drop has been enhanced by moving the plants to a different environment. They should settle down with time -- and especially if they are growing in the ground.
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mikedp
Original Author
18 years ago
Hey thanks Jean! I would kind of like to keep them potted, atleast untill I know where I will be staying for a long time.

I have one more question tho concerning the new growth on my eureka. It has an almost redish tint to it, this is normal correct?

http://img223.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00437dc8.jpg
http://img229.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00438yi2.jpg

Thanks!
jean001
18 years ago
Yep. Normal.
mikedp
Original Author
18 years ago
okay so how should I go about solving this problem? Are the leaves with the "bleaching" done for?

And this is the top left:
http://img210.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00435zr1.jpg
jean001
18 years ago
Not "done for" as in you should remove them.

Instead keep them because they still have green which will help the tree. They'll drop later on, of their own accord.

I suggest you get serious about figuring out where they'll go in the garden. Then get them into the ground so that they can stabilize as soon as possible.