Normal behvior for Mexican Lime?

19 years ago

Hello,

I am new to the forum and also new to the world of citrus, so let me give you a little background on my situation.

I live in San Diego and planted two trees in my backyard this past spring. One Mexican Lime and one Meyer Lemon. During this first year, the Mexican Lime produced fruit which was great. The meyer lemon has yet to produce fruit but seems to be growing fast and looks very healthy, I'm sure it's just a matter of time, I have seen a few blossoms, but no fruit yet.

I live in a townhouse and have a limited area in which to plant. They have both been planted in an area that now receives zero sunlight during the winter months since the sun drops down behind my townhome during the day. During the summer months, both trees receive full sunlight all day, the sun seems to move directly over the yard all day.

My question/concern with with the Mexican lime. Now that it is not receiving sunlight, the leaves seem to be turning yellow and falling off at a high rate. Is this normal and will the foliage begin to come back next spring when the sun starts to hit it again? Some more information that might shed some light:

- I use Miracle Gro shake and feed citrus fertilizer every 3 months.

- It had some scale not too long ago, for which I treated with a Malathion spray (no blooms at the time)

- I have a sprinkler system which I am not running too often since the sun doesn't hit the yard much in the winter; soil is damp but not soaked

Curiously, in this lack of sunlight, the meyer lemon seems to be flourishing, growing by leaps and bounds. But the second question I have is with the Meyer. I seems to have a case of Citrus Leaf Miner, no doubt about it. What is the best way to treat this? Should I use a systemic? Is the fruit still safe to eat with a systemic? I have also heard the best treatment is to do nothing at all and let the winter cold kill the miner, then cut off the affected leaves.

Sorry for rambling, thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

Regards,

CitrusInSD

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

jean001
19 years ago
Here's some info from the University of California.

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74137.html

Seems that systemics aren't very helpful. (Beyond that, not healthy for you.)

Here is a link that might be useful: citrus leafminer
citrusinsd
Original Author
19 years ago
Does anyone have an opinion of the leaf dropping issue?

Thanks in advance..
Related Professionals
Dayton Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Oklahoma City Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Aurora Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Coldwater Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Harrisburg Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Hannibal Landscape Contractors · Virginia Beach Landscape Contractors · Santa Barbara Landscape Contractors · Salem Landscape Contractors · California Home Builders · Joplin Home Builders · Poplar Bluff Home Builders · Mason City Home Builders · Grand Island Home Builders · Edison Home Builders
birdsnblooms
19 years ago
Citrus, did you check the lime for LM'er?
It's possible leaves are dropping because 1. change of season and 2.lack of sun.
Many plants, (other than citrus) drop foliage during autumn/winter months, then as days lengthen, baby leaves form.
I'd stop fertilizing. Wait till spring, then apply normally.
You didn't mention the sizes of your trees..Are they young/short/tall? Instead of using Malathion, and if you find more scale, treat w/Fish Emulsion. A woman who owns a citrus nursery in Florida told me about FE and how well it works. It's organic, so you don't have to worry about leaves burning/drying out, unlike Malathion that is a very harsh chemical. I killed a scale infested Gardenia tree using one application of Malathion, and I followed the directions to a T. First leaves dried out, then it died..That was back in the 90's, which was the last time I ever used a chemical insecticide.
BTW, if you decide to try FE, spray leaves (not soil.) Do so thoroughly aiming at every part of the plant.
Don't allow soil to remain too damp, especially since your trees aren't getting direct sun. If temps are cool and soil is moist, I'd refrain from using the hose period. Good luck, Toni
citrusinsd
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks for the feedback Toni..

What is this LM'er you're referring to?

Ya, i'm hoping that the leaves will come back once the days get longer and the sun works its way into my backyard. It's so strange, the Meyer Lemon about 5 feet away is growing like crazy and actually starting to show blossoms, pretty cool for almost being Thanksgiving. Hopefully I didn't hurt my Key lime too bad with the Malathion.

Not sure how old the Key lime is exactly, I got it from a nursery about 1 year ago, and it has grown a lot since. I'd say the tallest part is about 6 feet tall.

Will try the FE for sure, that Malathion smelled pretty harsh, wasn't a big fan.

Totally off topic, but does anyone know a good solution for Camellia Petal Blight? That's the next issue in the yard...

Thanks in advance for the advice!