Young citrus dropped large bunch of leaves (forum)

Fruity tooty starts with ...
Hi.i have a freemont mandarin and hamlin orange planted in the ground since sep.they are young and are flowering/fruiting. I noticed today they both dropped a lot of leaves in last few days.other than that they are healthy looking.i have been using eco oil for leaf miner (esp for mandarin),and fed once with organic life a month ago.also used seasol twice.is anyone sble to help to explain the leaf drop?am i over doing it with feeds and sprays maybe?

Time: 8th October 2011 10:34pm

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MaryT says...
Maybe; it's hard to say not knowing the condition. Certainly too much oil would cause leaf drop; the leaves can't breathe. Seasol if well diluted shouldn't hurt and you should follow directions with fertilisers. Maybe it's the trauma of the transplant - make sure the soil level is the same as when it was in the pot; burying it may cause collar rot; also check drainage and pH. If they look healthy it is probably nothing to worry about. Always good to post a photo with questions - a picture says a thousand words.

Time: 9th October 2011 8:45am

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Fruity Tootie says...
Thanks Mary! Will definately do that!

Time: 10th October 2011 10:29pm

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MaryT says...
Just read your Edibles page - you have an impressive list! Hope your citrus is doing OK. Sometimes you have to get a lens (magnifying glass) to see the problem. For example I had red spider mites on the back of the leaves of my chilli tree and I would have lost it if a friend didn't come along and spotted them with her lens (which she keeps in her pocket, as you do:) Come to think of it, many things lurks on the underside of the leaves so be vigilant! LOL

Time: 11th October 2011 9:27am

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au0rey says...
Hi Fruity Tootie, are you in Victoria or Melbourne by any chance? Cos my lemon tree also suddenly sheds a lot of leaves. Could be sudden temperature fluctuations.

Time: 11th October 2011 1:31pm

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MaryT says...
That's interesting, au0rey - we had an Indian summer then went back to wintery nights in Sydney. That may be the cause of the problem? My trees are in pots under a jacaranda so are protected from the extremes, plus I'm on the coast. FT is more inland.

Time: 12th October 2011 6:08am

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Fruity Tooty says...
Oops sorry mary and auOrey didn t see yoyr posts till now!!no i am in sydney...and mary the lens is a good idea!yes as i was saying to you i have become a little obssessed!today i noticed my mandarin trees seem to have dropped most of their fruit..so depressing!don't know what i am doing wrong???

Time: 23rd October 2011 11:06pm

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MaryT says...
You don't have to do anything wrong; the mandarin was probably carrying too many fruit - that's all. You've been feeding it a lot. Some say you should remove the fruit from the first season anyway, so it's saved you the bother. Relax; as long as it looks healthy it probably is. It's shown you that it's fruiting so it'll keep on doing it.

Time: 24th October 2011 8:04am

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Fruity Tootie says...
Thanks Mary for your kind words. I know I have to be patient (not my strong point) but to see it have so many fruitlets at first and then wittled down to about 7 has made me scared I have done something like over watered or something. They are in the ground and I have been watering about 5 out of 7 days...does that sound like a lot? i hear conflicting advice on watering,some say 22L per 1m tree per week and others say a good watering once or twice a week only so don't know?

Time: 24th October 2011 11:13pm

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Kathy says...
Fruity Tootie:
Hello. from my limited experience I'd think as you only planted the tree in september (is that correct) you may lose all fruit - and that would be GOOD. the tree knows best and so is spending its energy establishing good roots etc. In fact I'd be inclined to pick off the other fruit.
But in case that is not the problem: I'd suggest that if you give too much fertilizer - that can affect tree growth - and especially as the tree is young and not yet established.
Also if its not those problems - then if the soil is not free draining - that will definitely affect the tree badly as citrus don't like wet feet constantly. But I think Sydney soils are very porous - so no problem there??
is it getting enough sun?
I'd keep caring for it - and see how it goes over summer. It may get a whole new bunch of leaves!
Kathy

Time: 25th October 2011 8:08am

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MaryT says...
It's raining in Sydney! No more watering, Fruity Tootie! Re xL/m/week formula obviously does not work for all situations - it depends on location, temperature, type of soil and so many variables. A good soaking a couple of times a week in hot weather sounds reasonable, especially if they're in the ground. 5 out of 7 days? depends how much you give it each time... they don't like wet feet. Good to let them dry off a bit between watering. Be patient; soon you will get to know YOUR trees in YOUR home. No need to fuss. I doubt if you would lose a tree the way you're watching them :)

Time: 25th October 2011 12:13pm

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Fruity Tootie says...
Kathy: Yes I planted the citrus in Sep and the soil here is very good as it used to be commercial orchard country. They are on a slight slope too so definately shouldn't be getting wet feet. Maybe its as you say and just establishing? It does look healthy so will just see how I go I guess...it's the same story with my orange trees so who knows?
Mary: Very true re: each tree is different. Would just hate to lose trees after the amount of time and energy spent buying them and planting/ potting them. Husband would not be very happy! ;P But will see how I go. This is why I planted the "hardier" types in the ground and kept the others in pots in case I kill them with kindness and they don't make it! hehe

Time: 25th October 2011 1:22pm

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Original Post was last edited: 25th October 2011 6:50pm
About the Author Fruitie Tootie
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