Have you looked it over closely? Sticky residue can be a sign of aphids or scale (sucking insect), use a hand lens and flashlight if you need to - the critters can be tiny and hard to distinguish in inside light...

Hi there, I agree with morz8 100%. It really sounds like scale or aphids. Take a very close look and let us know what you think. Scale is sometimes hard to see as they can blend in with woody stems, and they often hide on the undersides or centers of leaves and often closely resemble the actual plant.

If the infestation is small, you can use 70% rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball or cotton swap and wipe it on the scale/aphids, though you'll have to repeat weekly for many weeks as new insects hatch (and any that you missed the week before reproduce). You can also try insecticidal soaps if you'd like. There are systemic insecticides that would work too, but they will render the plant and fruit toxic so only use it if you're keeping the plant as an ornamental and aren't planning on eating the fruit (or have pets/kids that would eat the fruit foliage).

I'd take a good look and start off with the rubbing alcohol and see how it goes. Here's a link with some pics/info on scale insects.

Let us know what you think and how things work out.
Good luck!
Grant

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to article on scale insects

Grant and Morz8 have diagnosed my poor sickly lemon tree. It does indeed have scales. I plan to go to the garden store today to take care of the sticky mess......will let you all know how things turn out. Am going to go organic as I want to eat my lemons.

shawn

Hi Shawn and all,

Thanks for the confirmation. Keep us posted on what you do, and how it works out. We're rooting for you.

Happy gardening and super good luck,
Grant