Lemon Tree in Glendale, AZ help

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

Hey all,

My 10 ft + lemon tree had a solid amount of flowers in spring, but resulted in only 5 lemons or so.

I seem to have a stronger bug problem than I've ever had, so that may be contributing.

I've used AZ Best fertilizer, at the times suggested on the packaging.

There's new growth sprouting, but I'm not seeing any hints of buds in there. I'm hoping I can tease some extra fruit growth this season, if it's not too late.

There's a mesquite tree growing next to the lemon tree, and it has created a canopy over the lemon. Is lack of direct sunlight a problem for fruit production? The lemon tree seems green/healthy other than the bug issue and minimal fruit production.

Last point... The lemon tree was hit very hard by a frost 2-3 winters ago. This will be the 3rd summer since, and it produced a decent amount of fruit last summer.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

Attaching some pics...

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Comments (3)

Silica
11 years ago
I see in the 3rd picture that the tree's new growth, which is probably the second flush of the season), has been attacked by the Citrus leaf miner. There are chemicals (Spinosid) that can control the insect The second flush and also the third flush that will occur later in the year, do not have near the floral production as does the first early spring growth. Citrus like lots of sun, and should always receive a very minimum of 6 hours a day of direct sun in order to preform at their best. Fortunately in warm climates lemons are one of the few citrus varieties that bloom somewhat throughout the year so they produce a few fruit in the off season, but the main bloom is in the spring. If the neighboring mesquite tree is shading your lemon now, which can be a problem for the lemon's fruit production, the lack of sun will only get worse in the future as the mesquite grows. - Silica
grumpyinaz
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for naming the bug for me!

Is Spinosad the only insecticide that will work vs these things?

BTW... Can anybody name the type of lemon tree this is? It was here when I moved in several years ago, so I have no idea.
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Silica
11 years ago
Your tree looks like a Eureka lemon. There are characteristics to look at that differentiate it from a Lisbon lemon. A Eureka lemon tree being smaller in size with more spreading branches, while the Lisbon lemon has more upright growing branches. Further the branches of the Lisbon lemon are usually thorny, and the branches of the Eureka lemon are more thornless. Lastly a Lisbon lemon has a longer nipple end,. The nipple on a Eureka is smaller and flatter. - Silica