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Lemon tree dropping leaves

5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

My lemon tree keeps dropping leaves! Please help! I don’t know why!


Comments (27)

  • 5 years ago

    Ca you throw in a picture of the whole tree.

    Steve

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    If the tree is setting in front of the window, receiving the sun's rays, then the CONTAINER should also be setting in the window and receiving the sun's rays. Your tree's container is setting below the window.

  • 5 years ago

    I recently moved it to this spot, but the leaves are still dropping and the leaves are somewhat spotted. Do you think with time it’ll adjust to having the container also in the light?


  • 5 years ago

    If you have Low-E insulated double glass window your tree will not get hot in the window. Neither will the container.

    Steve

  • 5 years ago

    Would you suggest getting a heat lamp? Is there a kind that anyone recommends?

  • 5 years ago

    Heat lamp? Never

    I don't know why many think regular household temps are not good enough for trees to hold their leaves. Something else is causing leaf drop.

  • 5 years ago

    Could it be that it needs to be reported?

  • 5 years ago

    I mean repotted!

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago
  • 5 years ago

    If you are going to repot it You will need to keep the roots 70F+ and the tree well lighted. If that were my tree I would repot it.

    Steve

  • 5 years ago

    Thanks everyone! is it the right time

    of year to replant? I read that it’s best not in the winter so just want to double check but I am afraid to wait and the tree lose all its leaves... also I will definitely buy the brewbelt!

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Also I wanted to post more photos of my poor lemon tree. I’m worried there might be multiple issues! Here are more photos of the leaves. Thanks for the help in advanced.



  • 5 years ago

    Why is anyone suggesting you heat the roots without a good reason why and exactly why ?

  • 5 years ago

    Never in my entire life have I ever had to heat the roots to mine in household temps above at least 65? Are you living in colder temps than that ? I feel bad if so.

  • 5 years ago

    Haha I keep my apartment around 68. The room it is in doesnt have heat or air conditioning so when nights get it gets below 50 I bring it inside to the warmer part.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Interesting)

    Unless my room temps dropped below 55 degrees, I would not apply heat to the roots unless Steve says you can provide over 15 hours of daylight!

    There are many factors that cause leaf drop, it's up to us to find out by the process of illumination. Almost always it's a watering issues and soil related. Last on my huge long list is the temperature of the roots.

  • 5 years ago

    When a container citrus tree is setting in a southern window, the leaf surface on a sunny day can reach surface temperatures at 100 or higher. If the roots are in the 50s or lower sixties that can be a problem. If the leaf cannot get enough water of evaporation to cool the leaf the tree will drop it, and normally without the leaf stem attached.

  • 5 years ago

    So for watering...I have a moisture meter and I usually keep it around the 2. I try to keep the bottom below the tree (has rocks) filled with water for more humidity. As for the soil, I had issues with fungus gnats last winter and it seems they may be back. I lifted my lemon out of the pot and the roots are all together and i can see them starting to poke out of the holes. So I was considering replanting before I read that winter is not the ideal time.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    A repotting done carefully, and without damaging the root structure, you can repot any month of the year. Over the years I have probably repotted citrus during ever month of the year. Don't believe every thing you hear. You can get rid of fungus gnats by soaking pieces of the round donut shaped mosquito dunks in water and then watering with it.

  • 5 years ago

    Moisture meters are crap. Push a wooden dowel into the soil to the bottom of the pot. If you see soil on the dowel when you withdraw it, then it does not need watering. This is like sticking a knife into a baked good to see if it is done.

  • 5 years ago

    Okay great!! Thank you! Sounds like I shouldn’t break up the root ball then? Just find a slightly larger pot?

  • 5 years ago

    and should I be worried about spots on the leaves or just replant and then see if it helps?

  • 5 years ago

    What do you mean break up the root ball ?
    You can soak it and slightly massage the old soil away.
    If you mean year it apart I wouldn’t. As Silica said you can re pot carefully and not damage the roots. Soaking helps the older soil fall away.
    I personally root work in the prime of the year and all re pots without root damage or trimming any time of the year without any issues )

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I had the same problem with leaf drop on one of my meyer lemon trees. Took me 2 years to figure it out. I researched and researchEd, Found a article on a pda of Florida citrus growers study. Root Temperatures have to be kept above 75 or they will “sleep “ and not Absorb nutrients. Remember roots are usually on the floor and that is cooler than room air. I have used two Seedlings warmers wrapped around my pot, in the winter ,for years and that stopped the leaf drop. I have another Meyer lemmon and it does fine without warm ing the roots. Who knows. Different root stock?.??

  • 5 years ago



  • 5 years ago

    If you look at my tree above, you can see some leaves turning light green and also veiny. I was wondering what the problem was with my tree. Here after checking ,my extension cord was unplugged and the roots where cold. For how long . Idk. I keep my house at 65f. I will loose those leaves. I am praying I don’t loose the new fruit Setting. This tree is 5 yrs old.I got it when it was 1 foot tall.