thanks for the advice. I had just watered but I've also added more drainage holes as per your suggestion. I sprayed the tree and also treated with an organic botanical oil apparently for pests. Is there any chance these pests can spread to my other citrus trees? I've never had this problem before should've inspected the tree better before bringing home.

Did you actually see pest on your tree, or did you just spray in hopes of killing any present pest, or did you spray just incase some pest could possibly be present? From looking at the photos, a pest infestation does not seem to be the cause of the tree's condition.. The problem seems to be a nutrient deficient tree. One nutrient deficiency plainly shown is manganese. The tell tail symptom for a manganese deficiency are leaves with green veins with dark green boarders on side of the veins. Your tree could also be deficient in iron. Has the nursery been fertilizing this tree, and have you fertilized the tree since your purchase, with a fertilizer that contains all the trace minerals?

Nutrient deprived for sure. NOw to get to the root of the problem. I hope you find out what is causing it.

I've sprayed with iron chelate, applied small amount of fertiliser with trace elements and watered in some Epsom salt. Hopefully it will improve, anything else I should be doing?

Make sure you mix is free draining and make sure the roota are happy with proper watering techniques.

If your mix is staying wet too long that is a sure sign of root issues. You will suffocate the roots which will not allow them to take up nutrients nor water eventually.

What kind of soil mix do you use?

I always go the root of the problem first.

Mike

I usually use this mix
https://www.scottsaustralia.com.au/scotts-brands/osmocote/osmocote-professional-potting-mixes/osmocote-professional-fruit-citrus-potting-planting-mix/

But when potting this tree it was sold out so I used an all around quality potting mix and just mixed in some citrus fertilizer. My pots sit on a massive drain so they generally drain pretty well as in once I start watering it doesn't take long for it to start draining out into the drain. I am just worried maybe if this potting mix I used isn't the right PH? but in saying that the tree showed these symptoms when I purchased it and I've had it for about two weeks.

Thanks Mike :)

Did you really break up the root ball taking out the older mix so that you didn't end up with two different mixes? It looks like the root ball collected water while the mix around it drained away.

There are many variables with root isues. To name just a few.

Your root ball may be repelling water while the mix around it absorbs it.

The old mix may be staying wet too long while the newer mix drains rather rapidly.

The previous care could of been terrible and that tree could of been neglected. To make sure of that, check the roots out. Have you taken a good look at the roots yet?

The pH can b corrected with something as simple as vinegar in the fertilzer solution but I would not blame that just yet.

What I would do if it were my tree is make sure the mix you are using is properly dispersed throughout the whole root ball and that it's not drying out unevenly.

I would not play with fertilizers until I have disqualified all possible threats to the roots themselves.

You may even be dealing with salt burn at the fine roots. Who know how that tree was cared for before you got it.

But we do know it's missing nutrients suggesting a problem at the root zone first. Once you have established the roots are very healthy, possibly the fertilizer is not providing what it needs, but highly unlikley.

Let us know.

Don't blame yourself for it's issues at this point. Just make a check list of all possible causes and see if any of then pertain to you before you guess what nutrient it needs. A quick solution may be to treat the leaves, but a permannent one is in order for you on this tree.

Mike)

Thanks so much for the expert advice Mike!

I do get a bit weary of unpotting trees and potentially damaging it further as I'm no expert.

Do you think I should wait a couple of weeks and see if there is any improvement or should I inspect the roots ASAP.

Sorry to be a pain Mike but really appreciate your valued feedback. This is off another one of my lemon trees. Leaves have also been a bit droopy.

The tree has a lot of spiders all over it, is that a problem?

It looks like you have ants and scale too. Since your tree is outside, I would use malathion. It's a strong product, but very effective. I just used neem oil on my trees last night on some sort of soft bodied insect and the neem didn't do anything. If it's not raining, I may use malathion later after work.

aerate the roots.

Hello))

Denise told you to do what I wpould do. Treat it for scale asap!! Those can suck the life right out of those leaves. I bet you once they are killed, your tree will come bacl at leasts partially. Take a look at the roots anyways. Just gently lift the root ball from the pot.

Not only do you need to see what they look like, but look to see if the roots are growing into the new mix around the old and look to see what the root ball mix is looking like. Can you push your finger easily through it?

Mike