Software
Houzz Logo Print
addingtonphillip

Sad Looking Orange Tree

9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago

Need help please. I just bought a new house where the previous owners planted a pumello tree, a lemon tree, and a Washington navel orange tree. The pumello and lemon trees are doing well but the orange tree need some help and I'm not sure what the problem is. I've looked for pests and haven't really seen any. The leaves are for the most pet still green they're just really misshapen and the limbs are bent and saggy. There are also a couple of areas on the trunk where it looks like sap is oozing out. Anyone have any ideas. Hopefully this is just an over/under watering issue. Any help would be appreciated. Pictures attached below

Comments (11)

  • 9 years ago

    Leafminer damage?

  • 9 years ago

    CLM for sure; and maybe a little under watered.

  • 9 years ago

    Yes John my thoughts exactly

  • 9 years ago

    I thought leaf miners as well but when I looked at pictures online you could see little tracks on the leaves which I'm not seeing. I've completely redone the drip lines so I know exactly how much water they are getting so I think I've addressed the under watering issue but if they are leaf miners what should I do about them?

  • 9 years ago

    Nothing to do about leaf miner after it has done the damage; learn about it from this site and do what you can to prevent it next year/next cycle.

  • 9 years ago

    Thanks for the responses. Can't speak to how much it's been fertilized because I just bought the house. I did go to a nearby citrus nursery a couple of weeks ago to inquire about what I needed to do as far as fertilizer was concerned and I was told that they were probably still a little small to worry about fertilizing them now so I going to hold off until the next fertilizer period. As I mentioned before, it is very possible it was not getting enough water so i have recently redone the drip lines so I can monitor exactly how much water it's getting. It's currently getting about 16 gallons a week for our AZ heat. does that sound about right? And lastly, if im understanding the previous posts it sounds like I shouldn't worry about the leaf damage and what's causing it is that correct?

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    addingtonphillip you better find another nursery to obtain advice about the care of young citrus trees. Young newly planted citrus are in great need of a proper fertilizing schedule. During the first few years, it is important to apply fertilizer to young citrus trees to stimulate vigorous growth of the leaves and foundation branches that will become the framework of the mature tree. Beginning about 2 weeks after planting, frequent, light applications of fertilizer should be made approximately every 6 weeks. The goal of the fertilizer program for young, trees is to continue to stimulate vigorous growth of both the foliage and branches that may compete with early fruit production. After the tree has become established, the goal will be to replace nutrients removed with the fruit and to provide enough nutrients to sustain continued tree growth. Unfortunately, now it is getting to late in the year, and will have to wait until next February. Fertilizer should not be applied between October 1 and February 1 for the first year or two, especially in regions where cold damage can occur. This will reduce the possibility of untimely growth flushes in the winter. - Silica

  • 9 years ago

    Okay so let me ask you then. If I live in AZ where the the risk of cold damage is low should I go ahead and fertilize or just go ahead and wait until February? Also, I think the fact that I don't know exactly how old they are might be why she said to go ahead and wait until February. She said they still looked a little small but I really just have no idea how long they've been there. As far as size is concerned it probably stands about four feet off the ground and it's probably about three to four feet wide.

  • 9 years ago

    Listen to Silica!

  • 9 years ago

    Oh I am and I'm very thankful for the time he has taken to answer my questions. I've just never taken care of citrus trees before and i really want to do everything I can for them to make sure they are healthy and thriving.

Sponsored
Buckeye Basements, Inc.
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars40 Reviews
Central Ohio's Basement Finishing ExpertsBest Of Houzz '13-'21