Can this Lemon be saved?

9 years ago

Hi,

My husband got me a Meyer Lemon and a Cara Cara Navel Orange two weeks ago.

The Cara Cara is doing great. The Meyer Lemon looked like it was doing well, too, until the end of last week.

At the end of last week, it's leaves curled up and started to dry out. Now they are falling off. Initially, I tried to water it (the soil was pretty dry). Watering didn't seem to help so now I've let it dry out again.

But I don't know what to do. It and the Cara Cara have been treated exactly the same but one is fine and one is not.

Other information: the trees were planted in potting soil to which I added extra perlite for drainage. They are right in front of an east facing window (we don't have a good south facing one.). There's also an LED shop lite over top of them about 6 inches away.. I have a small table fan that I place across the room (on low) to gently circulate the air in their space.

My husband was saying he'd buy me another one but I don't want to do that if there is a chance I can save this one. Barring that, I don't want to get another one until I know why this one had such a problem. I know there's probably stuff I could do better (I'm a new citrus grower) but I didn't think I did anything so badly that it would cause the tree to decline so quickly, so I am stumped. (Which is why I came to the experts!)

Here are two pictures:

Featured Answer

suzuchan

9 years ago

Georgia, I sure do wish you well in bringing it back from the brink. What a sad turn of events from such a nice gift from your husband. I feel for you!

As you have it indoors, do you have your heating on? If so, winter air can be very drying and might be part of the trouble. You might want to check your humidity reading throughout the day and use a humidifier nearby if it is the only plant in this big room. I 've found that Humidity can be just as big a factor as water, temperature and light if it is a lone plant. I've noticed that most citrus lovers on this forum have multiple plants in a dedicated space, which surely must create a more humid environment when they bring them inside.

Also, I wonder if John, Laura, Steve or Mike would suggest trimming back a few branches - not sure if that would relieve some stress or add to it. . . . If it were mine, I might aerate the soil by sticking a dowel into the soil at intervals and to check on whether the soil is soggy. Also wondered if maybe the pot might be oversized and holding too much water for the plant's needs (?).

I truly do wish you luck and hope you'll let us know how it goes!

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Comments (10)

johnmerr
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Looks pretty bad; but it could be a combination of changing the light condition (Meyers are very sensitive to that); and letting it get too dry and then watering it. I have had instances where I was away for a couple of weeks and those in charge of watering did not do a good job. When I came home and watered, my Meyers lost every leaf; but in time they made a full recovery. Give your tree a chance and it may recover; but don't let it get too dry.

A thought... does your pot have drain holes in the bottom? I ask because those type pots have no holes unless you punch them out; and your tree doesn't have a saucer.
Georgia Zone 8a
Original Author
9 years ago
Yes, it does have a drain hole and a saucer. I just moved it onto my floor so I could take a picture of it (the glare from the window was too bright.)

So I should just sit tight, then, and try to keep it evenly watered and maybeit will come back?
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johnmerr
9 years ago
Citrus are pretty forgiving; so that is your best chance.
Laura LaRosa (7b)
9 years ago
It does look bad. Listen to John...he knows his stuff. Did someone perhaps forget to water it sometime?
poncirusguy6b452xx
9 years ago
Let your husband get you something very unique and great to eat fresh off the tree. A Meiwa kumquat or New Zealand lemonade tree. Best grafted to a trifoliata hybrid rootstock
four winds New Zealand lemonade tree in 30 gallon barrel.

New Zealand lemonade home grafted on US897 in 5 gallon bucket.

Meiwa kumquat from Harris citrus. The fruits already taste great at this level of ripeness

Fukush kumquat#2 above & #1 below
All 5 of the trees shown above are very good at retaining leave under change condition. All 3 varieties produce fruit that is very hard to find or needs to be picked fresh to be good.

6b Steve
Georgia Zone 8a
Original Author
9 years ago
How long should I give it to see if it will come back?
johnmerr
9 years ago
As long as you can scratch the bark and it is green, you still have hope.
myermike_1micha
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It may take months, years or even a few days depending on the conditions you provide for it...The right mix, the right amount of light, the right amount of moisture and the right amount of warmth..Do you have spider mites? Have you ever seen webs...?
poncirusguy6b452xx
9 years ago
If I am in question of soggy dirt
I pull some air through it with an over head clamp light shining down on it.

6b Steve