Problem With Meyer Lemon Leaves

11 years ago

I'm located in Jacksonville, FL. I've been growing a Meyer lemon in a container for several years. The plant spends most of the year outside and is only brought into the house when we are expecting a freeze. It's situated in a full sun location and regularly fertilized when actively growing. Last summer, after a flush of new growth, the older leaves started to get a mottled yellow appearance. A few months later, the newer growth took on a similar coloration. The backside of the leaves have patches of tiny brown bumps. I'd appreciate any insight as to what might be causing the issues with the leaves and how I can treat this problem.

Featured Answer

beckybraun

11 years ago

Warm wet summers of Florida means greasy spot, greasy spot, greasy spot. Greasy spot leaves will drop from citrus earlier than unaffected old leaves and the heaviest leaf drop from greasy spot occurs in spring. Citrus trees if neglected for awhile will defoliate from fungus. Preventative sprays are highly recommended by Univ Of Florida. UF has a great website and are the experts on Florida citrus. Oedema on citrus is very very uncommon like white elephants. Greasy Spot Fungus on citrus is EXTREMELY common in Florida. Oedema on camellia leaves happens, but citrus unlikely. IF we had oedema on Florida citrus commonly, all citrus leaves grown in Florida rainy season would be effected and they are not. So, go with what is much common in Florida rainy summers.....Greasy Spot. Houston: White fungus on citrus is unlikely. White stuff is likely insects like mealybugs or scale. Most likely mealybugs though. These are sucking insects that cause leaf distortion ("bending"). Texas A&M Univ (tamu) has a great website on citrus for you. Dark spots on lemons have numerous causes, though more than likely fungus is the cause. External fruit discoloration does not usually make any citrus unsafe to eat, but can cause inferior taste to the expert palate. The average lemon consumer wouldn't taste the difference unless the cause is Brown Rot. Brown Rot is fungus (phytophthora) that causes brown spots on fruit rind and internal flesh, causing very obvious inferior taste to any palate. Check out "Citrus 101" at http://citrusagents.ifas.ufl.edu/agents/futch/PDF/Master_Gardener_Training_9-10.pdf

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Comments (9)

poncirusguy6b452xx
11 years ago
I don't know but I am interested and we need to keep this post at the top some someone knowledgeable see's this and answers.
johnmerr
11 years ago
Could we see the top side of the leaf; and a picture of the whole tree?
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charles27gardener
Original Author
11 years ago
I'm including a picture of the top of some leaves. The mottled look that I had mentioned is easier to see under certain lighting conditions. I did some research and found a condition called "edema/oedema". According to the site, "It appears when the plant roots take up more water than can be transpired through the leaves. Leaf cells swell and burst, causing blisters and small lesions; most often on the underside of the leaf. Cool, cloudy conditions, high humidity and excess water make for favorable conditions for the development of edema." The issue that I'm having with the leaves did become more noticeable when we began to experience significantly cooler nights and shorter days. Any thoughts on this potential diagnosis? Thanks for your insight.
johnmerr
11 years ago
I would go with edema; it is why I wanted to see the top of the leaf. Often greasy spot fungus is confused with edema, which only occurs in potted plants indoors. The symptoms of edema and greasy spot look a lot alike, but have different causes and cures.
ellogan
11 years ago
live in houston, tx and have two meyer lemon trees planted in pots. every year i get this white looking fungui which grows on my leaves (top and bottom). If on bottom, leaf bends backwards. have also been noticing lemons upon growing half way grown/ripe, start getting dark spots on them. what is that? can I eat them? not all lemons appear to get these dark spots. My plants are about 5 years old now.
johnmerr
11 years ago
Pictures, pictures... of the leaves, top and bottom, and of the fruits with the dark spots.
theitaliangardenonyoutube
11 years ago
I use hort oils to keep greasy spot off here in oregon as well as other pests i find neem oil coats the best and keeps the bugs as well as fungus off just needs application every few weeks.
Matt
9 years ago
charles27gardener, did you ever conclusively determine what this was, and how to fix it?