What is going on with my Meyers lemon tree?
by
Rose S
+14
All of a sudden it is losing some perfectly good leaves. It also has two humongous lemons, larger than my fist. They look fully ripened. Should I take them off, and might that help the leaf drop?
17 answers
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Rose, is this a potted plant or is it planted in your yard somewhere? A cause of this can be in the soil itself, such as the Ph being off, to the soil temperature not being quite right, to there being too much salt in the soil. If it is potted, try flushing out the soil. If that is not it, the cause could be inadequate sun, too much fertilizer or too little water.
Dan's of Central Florida, Inc.
on Dec 18, 2011
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Thanks for your input Dan. It is a potted plant and I re-potted it just before I brought it in in mid-late October. It is sitting in front of a French door with easterly exposure in a room with 12 windows. So I don't think that light is an issue. Having also recently re-potted it makes me think too much of anything might not be the reason either. It is ~ 3' tall, so flushing the soil right now is just not possible. Our nightly temps outside are freezing, and this is something that I am not sure I can manage by myself. It was covered with blossoms in November, which of course, all dropped off. So now what?
Rose S
on Dec 18, 2011
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Is it under a vent ?
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Dec 18, 2011
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No, Four Season, not under a vent. I took the huge lemons off yesterday, in hopes that that might make a difference. Will report back. It is a grand little tree, ~ 3'x3'. So I would hate to lose it. I have no clue why it was covered with blossoms right after I re-potted and moved it inside - go figure. They are all dropped off by now. I know that lemons self pollinate, so I just gently tapped them, trying to pollinate. That didn't work. Hopefully by March, blooming cycle, I still have a tree and it will bloom. I am always open to suggestions. Thanks.
Rose S
on Dec 19, 2011
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Rose, your lemon tree got the double whammy of being transplanted and being moved inside, so I am not surprised you have experienced some blossom and leaf drop. Make sure you tree is getting regular, deep waterings that reach all the way to the roots. Stick your finger about 3 inches into the soil and when it is dry water well.
Douglas Hunt
on Dec 19, 2011
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Thanks Doug for your input into my lemon tree dilemma. Now if someone can just tell me how to keep the spider mites somewhere else I'd be beholden. I have tried sprays while it was still outside. Then I tried a systemic. Capt. Jacks was recommended by the local garden guru, and the spider mites are still having lots of parties on my tree. I tried a mitecyde when I first brought it in and once since then, but they are still having fun. Now what do I do?
Rose S
on Dec 19, 2011
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hmmm. sounds like the spider mites are contributing to the leaf drop, and the chemicals you have been applying. Have you tried Neem Oil?
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Dec 19, 2011
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Where do I get Neem oil? Pike's? I have to go there later to get some pine bark to dress up the front for Christmas.
Rose S
on Dec 19, 2011
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They probably have some at Pikes.
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Dec 19, 2011
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Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.
Rose S
on Dec 19, 2011
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Pike's didn't have any Neem oil. He looked at me very questioningly and wanted to sell me more Capt. Jack's.
Rose S
on Dec 19, 2011
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Yikes! I am amazed that a Pikes' employee would not know what Neem Oil is. I used to do business with Lost Mountian Nursery, over on your side of town. I don't know if they carry chemicals though. If you can't find any, let me know- maybe I can mail you a bottle.
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Dec 19, 2011
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Thank you, I know where Lost Mountain Nursery is. I might just have to visit them after Christmas. My house is full right now, so maybe I could even send a grandchild over there. Thanks for the tip. Merry Christmas and all of its blessings to you. :-)
Rose S
on Dec 20, 2011
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I'm not sure how convenient this is location-wise, but they've got "Garden Safe" brand neem oil at the Lowe's in Sandy Springs. You can check their web site for availability at a closer store. (And I join in the amazement that an employee of a good local nursery would not know what neem oil was.)
Douglas Hunt
on Dec 20, 2011
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Thanks fellows, all I can think re Pike's employee is that it was a 'seasonal' employee. I have a Lowe's a few miles away, and will check them out. But the tree will have to hang on until after Christmas. Thanks for all of the help and a merry and blessed Christmas to all of you. :-)
Rose S
on Dec 20, 2011
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You're welcome, Rose. I just harvested a couple Meyer lemons from my own tree yesterday. Good luck!
Douglas Hunt
on Dec 21, 2011
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I am going to make lemonade for the grand kids Christmas with mine. They, the lemons, are the size of small grapefruits. I have NEVER seen lemons that huge. Can't wait to see what they taste like. Thanks for your help.
Rose S
on Dec 21, 2011
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