Does my lime tree have hope??

9 years ago

I'm not super intuitive with plants. I bought a ~5ft lime tree back in august, and it has been living in front of a big west facing window in salt lake city. It seemed to be doing well until I recently went out of town, and someone with plant/tree knowledge came to our house and told my husband our bearss lime tree was planted too deep in it's pot (it was about 1-2" under the soil line). He repotted it with the rootball showing a bit above the soil line and used a random organic potting soil we had used the previous season. When I got home the following day, it started to rapidly lose it's leaves.. within 2 days ALL BUT THREE LEAVES were gone, and it remains the same way today. Where all the leaves once were, there are now what look like thorns with brown tops. Photos attached. What happened?? Was it the soil?? Not enough water?? Not enough sun?? Can it be saved??

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

Susanne Michigan Zone 5/6
9 years ago
As long as the branches are green, It can be safed. it needs a lot more light for sure. The tree was severely stressed, difficult to see if it was too much water, not enough water or outside to inside and not enough light or a combination of all the above. Be super careful with water now. Put in a very bright spot, if possible outside if temperature permits (location?) It can take a while can be weeks, but as long as you do not keep is soaking wet, let soil get dry to the touch, elevate the pot so water can run out freely, and the tree will survive.
shannondent thanked Susanne Michigan Zone 5/6
shannondent
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you Susanne! I think you're right.. it was probably a combination. We are in Salt Lake City (Zone 7) and it's getting quite cold.. 30s at night and 40s/50s during the day. Maybe a different window? Would east facing be more beneficial? It's in front of our biggest window, but it is west facing.
Related Professionals
Madison Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Logan Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Wenatchee Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Monroe Landscape Contractors · Frederick Landscape Contractors · Burlington Landscape Contractors · Wilmington Home Builders · Gainesville Home Builders · Emporia Home Builders · Covington Home Builders · Miami Home Builders · Nashua Home Builders · Bakersfield Home Builders · Carlsbad Home Builders · Ottawa Home Builders
Susanne Michigan Zone 5/6
9 years ago
east will give you the cool morning sun and west the warm afternoon. I think west window would be good ?
shannondent
Original Author
9 years ago
Ok I can try another west window to see if that helps.. would fertilizing it or anything help?