Meyer Lemon - is my leaf drop normal?

8 years ago

I do NOT have a green thumb (as you will be able to surmise shortly
LOL!). I've researched and don't see my exact scenario, so thought I'd
ask the experts here. So...we have new-ish landscaping, and have a Meyer
Lemon tree. We are in NE FL, very close to the beach, in zone 9A. The tree has
been in the ground for about 6 months (came straight from landscaper, so
I can't tell you about its previous potted life). It receives full sun
where it's planted. It's on a sprayer (actually more "mist"-er) line
and is watered 30-45 in the a/m. It's never produced a lemon yet. Here's
my concern: it's lost a lot of leaves in the past month or two. I keep
looking up different symptoms, and really don't know if my leaves are truly full-on
"yellowing" or "bronzing" or not. I've taken some pictures to include
with this post and am hoping someone will be able to ascertain from the
look of my tree and leaves, along with the info above, whether or not
there's a problem. Is this just normal autumn stuff? Or is my tree
hurting and needing some changes/different treatment? Thanks in advance
for any help here!

Featured Answer

PacNorWreck

8 years ago

If there's even a chance it might be greening, the responsible thing is to get the tree inspected. Removal could prevent several of your neighbors' trees or potentially an entire commercial grove from succumbing to the disease.

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Comments (9)

Silica
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Not 100% sure, but it certainly looks like citrus greening. There is no cure for citrus greening, Citrus trees in the entire state of Florida are infected, and tens of millions of citrus trees have already been killed and removed. You need to contact the county agent to have this tree inspected, tell them that you believe your tree has citrus greening. If the tree is indeed infected with greening, the county agents will remove the tree right away. My best guess is 98% sure that your tree is infected with greening.
squideast thanked Silica
johnmerr
8 years ago
What are you feeding it and how often? Could be just seriously underfed.
squideast thanked johnmerr
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Dee
8 years ago
What kind of soil is the tree in? You mentioned close to the beach so is there a lot of sand? Does the soil drain well?
squideast thanked Dee
Silica
8 years ago
Soil that does not drain well is rarely ever a problem in Florida. The yellow modeling of the leaves is a common symptom of HLB (greening).
squideast thanked Silica
Jason (Zone 10b, San Diego)
8 years ago
From UF Extension, leaf symptoms for citrus greening:-Leaf symptoms include blotchy mottle, yellow veins, vein corking or green islands-Yellow veins, vein corking or green islands are not diagnostic alone -Blotchy mottle is the best diagnostic leaf symptom of greening -Blotchy mottle: a random pattern of yellowing (chlorosis) on leaves that is not the same on the right and left sides of the leaf -Yellow veins can be confused with other diseases (e.g. foot rot) or damage (e.g. broken or girdled limb)

Pen Test for Leaves
-A simple procedure to determine if symptoms are the same on both halves of a leaf-Draw two circles on opposite halves of the leaf-Is the pattern the same in both circles?-Different patterns indicate potential greening if other problems have been ruled out Looks like greening as your one picture shows random blotchy spots.
squideast thanked Jason (Zone 10b, San Diego)
Jason (Zone 10b, San Diego)
8 years ago
And the web address for the UF page:

http://www.crec.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/greening/symptoms.shtml
squideast thanked Jason (Zone 10b, San Diego)
Susanne Michigan Zone 5/6
8 years ago
Different things comes to my mind when I see your tree. One is citrus greening, certainly a possibility but the tree was just planted a couple of months ago and it should have been a healthy tree then. Another thing is constantly misting or watering will let roots rot no matter how fast it drains. Is the water coming from a water softener? Too much salt?? Did you spray the tree with any chemicals?? Did you fertilize with what and how much? I would get back to your landscaper and share your concern with him.
squideast thanked Susanne Michigan Zone 5/6
squideast
Original Author
8 years ago
Wow - thank you for all this input! I have to ask my husband to answer the various questions you guys have put forth, and get back with answers. Lots of input re: citrus greening, so I will definitely get someone out here to inspect. Thank you thank you!!! I'll get back with more info once I have it. Much appreciated, folks!!!