What's wrong with me lemon tree? (forum)

chillilover starts with ...
I got this from Kmart few months back. I think it's the eureka variety. Anyhow i've manured and mulched the pot. Removed all flowers and tiny fruits it had because i was to allow the plant to grow. Anyhow now the leaves are going all yellow and dropping leaves as well. Please suggest something.
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 18th January 2012 10:31am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
Original Post was last edited: 18th January 2012 10:32am

About the Author Chillilower
sydney
#UserID: 6128
Posts: 123
View All Chillilower's Edible Fruit Trees

amanda says...
Might be transplant shock chillilover. Has it been hot? I'd get it into the shade until summer is over and give it dilute Seasol/seaweed only. No fertilisers until it starts sending out new growth.
Keep checking the potting mix to make sure it hasn't become water repellant too. Make sure the pot is draining properly/freely.

Time: 18th January 2012 12:34pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. WA
#UserID: 2309
Posts: 4607
View All amanda19's Edible Fruit Trees

chillilover says...
But this was planted 2 months ago. Do you think plants show late shock or something. I'll definately move it out of the sun today and check the pot.

Time: 18th January 2012 6:27pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Chillilower
sydney
#UserID: 6128
Posts: 123
View All Chillilower's Edible Fruit Trees

John I. says...
Looks like you're not watering it enough. As Amanda said the potting mix may have become repellant to water (but I wouldn't have thought so after such a short time). Give it a good soaking and it will spring back. Water every couple days especially when its extremly hot.

Time: 18th January 2012 6:41pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author JohnI
Disney Land
#UserID: 1975
Posts: 248
View All JohnI's Edible Fruit Trees

chillilover says...
Ok so i moved the plant out of the sun. I think that was the main problem. I put it in a shady spot which get only about an hours sun. I've watered it till it ran from the bottom and also drilled a few holes in the bottom of the pot. Will update later if all goes good.

Time: 18th January 2012 8:50pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Chillilower
sydney
#UserID: 6128
Posts: 123
View All Chillilower's Edible Fruit Trees

snottiegobble says...
Chillilover,if it was a problem with water repelling potting mix then water will escape even faster now! I suggest spreading some wetting agent granules on top with a layer of kitty litter bentonite. The granules will slowly alter the retention of water while the K.L being light in colour should reflect the sun.

Time: 18th January 2012 9:40pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author snottiegobble
Bunbury/Busso (smackin the middle)
#UserID: 3468
Posts: 1458
View All snottiegobble's Edible Fruit Trees

Loma says...
Just a thought! When I have had a once happy potted plant that seems to have become suicidal I have dug out the soil around the inner roots and found the culpret to be a large garden worm. I disposed of the offender, and the plant began to florished again.

Time: 19th January 2012 7:42pm

Reply | Edit | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author
 
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees

Nick says...
I agree that its probably a lack of water, heres a picture of a citrus seedling (in water repellant soil) which I left for a while in the greenhouse. I appears to have the same slightly curled leaves!

Time: 19th January 2012 8:41pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Nick T
Altona, VIC
#UserID: 2663
Posts: 727
View All Nick T's Edible Fruit Trees

Nick says...
the photos still arent uploading...

Time: 19th January 2012 8:43pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
Original Post was last edited: 19th January 2012 8:43pm

About the Author Nick T
Altona, VIC
#UserID: 2663
Posts: 727
View All Nick T's Edible Fruit Trees

chillilover says...
It's funny only becuase one side of the plant is very healthy and the side that was exposed to the sun got scorched. It was in a spot where it gets direct sun the whole day.

Time: 20th January 2012 6:49am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Chillilower
sydney
#UserID: 6128
Posts: 123
View All Chillilower's Edible Fruit Trees

amanda says...
Might be worth shading the pot next time chillilover...the roots may have got a little cooked with the pot in direct sun also..

Time: 20th January 2012 12:02pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. WA
#UserID: 2309
Posts: 4607
View All amanda19's Edible Fruit Trees

chillilover says...
Thanks Amanda, Am baby sitting th eplant now. Treading very very carefully.

Time: 20th January 2012 3:56pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Chillilower
sydney
#UserID: 6128
Posts: 123
View All Chillilower's Edible Fruit Trees

Kathy says...
chillilover The tree may well be suffering in the sun as that puts an extra strain on it - but 1 hours worth of sun per day is not enough for citrus!) - and nor do I think the sun itself is the problem.
Try re-potting but check a couple of things first:
Check the trunk (BELOW the soil level) to see it does not have collar rot (i.e. note if part of the bark covered by soil is rotting/lifting - it is possible that the trunk of your tree is partly covered by soil in your picture. Collar rot could cause the symptoms you have - so check carefully. If you do have collar rot - check out how to treat it - and do so before replanting.
Then check the branch that is affected to see if you can see any holes in it (a sign of a borer - that too will cause a branch to die). If it does, cut off the branch before re-potting.
Re-pot!!! Your soil in the picture looks wet where the water went in - but dry right next to that. It should be evenly wet - otherwise there will be roots that don't get any water (and so will lead to branches dying).
Buy some good quality potting mix that contains wetting agent granules throughout it (they will help the whole of the soil in the pot to retain water), and add some well composted compost and mix thoroughly with the potting mix. Do NOT add fertilizer as it can burn the roots at an early stage - and cause problems!! Then water the soil - use a light spray/drip and allow plenty of time for all the soil to be wet (test by poking your finger in at various places!).
Then re-pot BUT when you do be careful. Make sure the trunk is NOT covered by soil or compost. Water again lightly and as an extra bonus for the tree spray the leaves with a seaweed fertilizer.
Make sure the tree is placed where it gets plenty of sun - and keep watering, every day, for the rest of the summer - unless you notice that the soil is sufficiently moist (on very hot days you'll even maybe need to water in the morning and again in the evening to help the plant recover from the re-potting). In time, I'm sure you can reduce the watering.
I think you have a lovely gardening time ahead of you,
Kathy

Time: 22nd January 2012 8:42am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author kathyturner
Maleny, Qld
#UserID: 5954
Posts: 43
View All kathyturner's Edible Fruit Trees

chillilover says...
Hi Kathy sorry for not respondinf ealier. Completely forgot to check the thread. Anyhow i took your advice and repotted the plant just now.

Firstly yes the soild was covering part of the trunk. There wasn't much of a rot but i believe it was starting to happen.

Secondly i found the soil was infested with ants right into the root ball. Just so many i was even scared to remove the plant. Anyhow i removed the plant, washed the root ball with tons of water and finally planted in a fresh pot with fresh potting mix. I've put it in a different spot but am worried of the ant because i've noticed them just about everywhere.

Any ideas?

Time: 29th January 2012 8:23pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Chillilower
sydney
#UserID: 6128
Posts: 123
View All Chillilower's Edible Fruit Trees

Kathy says...
chilliover - there is a thread here on exactly your problem: Ants nests in pot plants. Search for it!
Kathy

Time: 30th January 2012 8:05am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author kathyturner
Maleny, Qld
#UserID: 5954
Posts: 43
View All kathyturner's Edible Fruit Trees

chillilover says...
Yup was reading it yesterday. Will need to take on board some suggestions from there.

Time: 30th January 2012 9:41am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Chillilower
sydney
#UserID: 6128
Posts: 123
View All Chillilower's Edible Fruit Trees