Do you have any pictures? Is it in the ground or a pot?

In a pot

Ive uploaded the photos twice but they don’t seem to have appeared in my first post or this one.

Keep trying to figure how to post the images. We need to see the leaves (top and bottom), the trunk, and even how it's planted in the container.

Also, please indicate how long you've had the tree and a bit about its repotting history. What's your general location?

Rhizo, is that really you!!!? I was thinking of you the other day. I'm glad to see you have posted for that let's me know you are still around. I keep watching the weather in your area and boy you have had some doozy storms. You will hear from me soon)))))

For posting photos, you need to make sure your photos have finished uploading before you hit post. If you are doing it on the computer, you will need to wait until the photo changes from a grayed out/washed out photo into a fully colored photo. That is when the upload has completed.

Thanks, Mirage! Finally worked! I've uploaded photos of my lemon tree...in a pot.. outdoors on my patio in Cincinnati, OH. Weather has been tremendously warm all summer; that combined with a very hot brick patio may have contributed to the blotchy leaf development...I don't know. But, would love advice on what to do about it.

How long have you had this plant, where did you get it, and what is your fertilization routine?

No one can help you you until you help us figure out what it is. Doesn't appear to be insect related. It looks like a mosaic virus but I have no idea if citrus mosaic disease even exists in this country.

Hopefully, some of citrus peeps (like Mike) will hop in to help.

Looks like a pH related micronutrient issue, most likely Manganese. Do you know the pH of your soil and your water? Lowering the pH of your soil and/or your water should solve your issue.

There was a similar thread about spots like this here -https://www.houzz.com/discussions/3462336/meyer-lemon-yellow-spots-please-advise

and the thread pointed to an article here -http://itp.lucidcentral.org/id/citrus/diseases/key/Diseases_of_Citrus/Media/Html/Leprosis.htm

that discusses citrus leprosis which is caused by a virus transmitted via certain types of mites. These mites not only can affect citrus, but tropical hibiscus, passifloras, and coffee - all plants that are also often sold in retail establishments in the north. Apparently symptoms would also include damage on the stems as well.

Ascoli, does your fertilizer have a decent micronutrient component? Your situation doesn't look like manganese (or any other) deficiency to me, though.

Jenny, that really looks like it, doesn't it?

rhizo - I thought so too. Almost wanted to call it citrus greening but the series of circular spots didn't seem to fit. Usually when you see what looks like a color break in leaves and/or flowers, it's due to some type of virus (like you see with some lilies and other bulbs or even orchids and roses).

Before we jump to the exotic world of viruses,,, first we ought to try the simpler, more common issues of micronutrient deficiencies that are soooo common for container citrus.

John, the last time someone posted something similar you said this..

johnmerr(11)

The circular nature of the spots leads me to suspect a fungus. The fact that you do so many things to keep a humid environment (not needed by citrus, which grow so very well in desert-like climates), further leads me to fungus.

Try dropping the misting and the humidity tray; and give it a shot of some sort of fungicide; you may see your problem go away.

So, I tend to believe Rhizo is on track, after a track of years being on the mark here!

Mike

Is HLB a possibility.

Clearly NOT HLB, the patterns are not indiscriminate

Mike... Rhizo is expert/genius about insects.. we love her and respect her for that... not so sure about virus

Thank you all for your assistance! I am simply your typical homeowner who bought a lemon tree from a local nursery called Rahn’s in Cincinnati about 16 months ago. I’ve watered the plant when it was indoors - weekly, for a year, and did nothing else. It’s had excessive amounts of water since it’s been outside all summer - but didn’t seem to suffer from it bcz the heat seemed to dry it out daily. I’ve only recently bought Jobe’s plant spikes thinking they may help with the blotching issue.. And, to top off my green-thumb talents, I put some used coffee grounds into the pot thinking that may help with the lack of nitrogen (if there was a lack!). I obviously know nothing about ph’s or even fertilizers. So, we need to start from scratch, I’m afraid. I will buy a fertilizer, a fungicide and anything else to try to rid this problem. Can you advise on which order to begin?

Rahn’s I have been there. I was looking for kumquat trees 6 years ago.

Steve

Get rid of the Jobe's and use Foliage Pro 9-3-6, 1 tsp/gal water. It has all the nutrients required by citrus. Jobe's does not. Get a pH test kit (the kind used for aquariums) and measure the pH of your fertilizer solution. If necessary, adjust it to pH 5.5 to 6.5 with white vinegar. It should take about 1 Tb vinegar/gal fertilizer solution.

I doubt that coffee is helpful. May be harmful. The fertilizer (FP) will supply nitrogen.

It will not hurt to spray fungicide.

My two cents. I had the same problem, and I found that everywhere there was a yellow spot, there was scale!

That is NOT a manganese deficiency!! That shows up as interveinal chlorosis (much like an iron deficiency), not as random yellowing.

The random patterning does look very viral to me as well......very characteristic of a mosaic virus. Nutrient deficiencies just do not present in that manner. I would suggest you take your photos and a few of the most disfigured leaves to your county extension service. They will have access to a plant pathology lab to provide an accurate (not an online guesswork) diagnosis. May cost but worth the investment to find out exaclty what's up and if fixable (virus diseases are not, unfortunately).

I can’t thank you all enough! Headed to the store now to make recommended purchases. Will follow all directions - I am grateful for your kindness in responses!

Lemons are not susceptible to citrus leprosis; so I think we can rule that out. And, while you are at the store, get a bigger pot; and one that is not terra cotta (clay).

Ok, John... so, is plastic ok?

plastic or polymer or ceramic... the thing is that clay wicks out vital salts and the evaporation thru the clay cools the soil; and citrus roots do not grow well in cool soil