Sad lemon/lime tree (forum)

meow starts with ...
We planted a double graft eureka lemon/tahitian lime 2 weeks ago and I'm a bit concerned about it.

This was our first time tree shopping and while we went to the nursery all versed up on what was important and what varieties we wanted, after considering all the choices and checking all the trees we ended up grabbing the lemon/lime without paying attention to the yellowing leaves at the top of one side.

This was also the first tree we planted and I really don't feel we did as good as job on it- we turned over and loosened the soil further out for the other trees and I think we may have stomped the soil down too hard around this tree so possibly making the clayish soil stick around it.

Anyway, our other trees (a mandarin and orange) look like they are thriving with fresh, healthy new growth but the lemon/lime looks sick.

Firstly of course are the yellow leaves- should we just leave them or should we prune that side down and cut them off to help the tree out? I know that will make the tree uneven though which I'm told is important to avoid with double graft trees?

I've attached a photo of the overall tree and yellowing leaves- and also the growth that is coming out of the yellow leaves which is dark and dead looking. The other side of the tree has some new growth at the top which looks okay, but not great. It also has dead-end looking shoots on the lower limbs which I've included a photo of- they looked like they've just sort of dried up and gone white.

Would it be too much for the tree to cope with to dig it up and replant it? Then should we add something (fertiliser) to the soil to help it out? Should we cut the yellow leaves off- anyone able to tell if the yellow leaves are the lemon or lime?

Thanks!!!
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Time: 6th September 2009 8:37pm

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About the Author meow
North Melbourne
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Ellen says...
Hi Meow

I had a look on your Edible profile

Even though you've planted the mandarin/orange at the edge of that big overcasted shadow tree, it was able to have some sunlight coming through on that tree, that is why it is still look good.

But the Lemon Eureka/Lime, it was not that fortunate, that overcasted shadow is blocking most of the sunlight, so your new plant was getting insufficient amount of sunlight to convert it into chlorophyl(the green cells in the leaves)that is why it look deficient.

Trim that big tree that casted that shadow over the spot of your young trees, and it will do just fine .

Time: 7th September 2009 6:16am

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About the Author Ellen
Smithfield
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Wayne says...
This is a photo of my Tangelo tree this morning which lacks magnesium or iron. This often happens in my soil so I correct it with a couple of hands full of epsom salts spread around under the tree.

The pale leaf matter and green stems usually mean that the tree lacks the above. If it's the other way around, dark leaf matter and pale stems usually means to much water.

Two weeks is not much time for a tree to settle in so I would wait and see. The clayish soil is something to think about, did you treat the soil to help loosen it before you planted meow.
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Time: 7th September 2009 7:30am

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About the Author Wayne
Mackay QLD
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meow says...
Thanks for your ideas. Good point about the shade from the tree Ellen. That is the warmest and sunniest part of our yard but that big tree on our nature strip does give shade at times of the day as the sun moves... not much I can do about it as it's a BIG tree and already cut back a lot to avoid the power lines but I'll watch it better to see if the lemon/lime is getting less light and consider that.

The leaves are similar to your tangello Wayne- thanks for the photo. Maybe I'll add some epsom salt then. We didn't treat the soil as such as this section of the yard isn't bad- we dug about 50cm down without hitting clay so we just dug about a metre wide holes to turn over and loosen the soil then planted with the soil, sand and compost. We just didn't loosen the soil as much around this plant but I guess the roots wouldn't be big enough to care about that yet.

Time: 7th September 2009 7:40am

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About the Author meow
North Melbourne
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meow says...
Wayne- I meant to ask about the buds on your tangello... our orange is just starting to get some buds like that but I think it's too early to allow it flower isn't it. Should we cut them off?

Time: 7th September 2009 8:26am

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About the Author meow
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amanda says...
Hi Meow - it's a good idea to test the pH of your soil - if it's alkaline you will need to spray with iron chelates also. It's best not to let the tree fruit for first 2 yrs - it will develop a nice strong framework more quickly this way.

If the new leaves start to become progressively and noticably smaller than the original ones - then it will need zinc also (especially if your soil alkaline) Hope this helps...

Time: 7th September 2009 9:02am

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Original Post was last edited: 7th September 2009 9:05am

About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. WA
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Wayne says...
It's your call there meow, if you snip them off the tree will put more effort into growing rather into the fruit so it's probably a good thing to do at this stage.

Time: 7th September 2009 9:38am

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About the Author Wayne
Mackay QLD
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meow says...
Okay- just tested the soil and it is about 6.5 so not very alkaline and pretty close to neutral.

Verdict is to try epsom salt for now then?

Time: 7th September 2009 10:40am

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About the Author meow
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amanda says...
Sounds good meow! Sometimes the plants are a bit impoverished in the small grow bags they come in - noticable when a growth spurt occurs. It's probably worth giving it a seaweed foliar feed or such as well - this will get the nutrients into it faster than by soil application alone.
Gypsum will help to open up the clay if u are worried about it being compacted.

Time: 7th September 2009 7:16pm

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About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. WA
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meow says...
Ohhh you are so much more knowledgeable than me! Thanks for your help- I'll do a foliar feed for sure too. I feel good about having something to do to give our little tree a good chance.
Thanks :)

Time: 7th September 2009 8:57pm

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About the Author meow
North Melbourne
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