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Why are the leaves on my lemon tree curling up?

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  • AthelasAthelas Posts: 946
    edited April 2021
    Is it kept indoors or outdoors? And how often is it being watered?
    Cambridgeshire, UK
  • BluebelltimeBluebelltime Posts: 196
    Its kept outdoors. I water it once or twice a week depending on the weather 
  • AthelasAthelas Posts: 946
    edited April 2021
    Looks like it’s frost damage. Lemon trees need a minimum night time temperature of 10C. Can you bring it into a bright, cool area indoors or in a greenhouse until the cold spell is over?

    https://www.gardenista.com/posts/winter-is-coming-how-to-keep-an-indoor-citrus-tree-happy/

    If you want to keep it outside, there are some tips here: https://homeguides.sfgate.com/cover-lemon-tree-prevent-frost-61413.html

    A well watered plant will be better able to withstand the stress of cold temperatures. Water thoroughly when the soil is dry 2 to 3 inches deep. If not already being used, a citrus fertiliser will be able to help it recover.

    Cambridgeshire, UK
  • BluebelltimeBluebelltime Posts: 196
    Thank you. This is useful 
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Are you in the UK, normally they would loose all their leaves at 10c we have got half a dozen,I disagree about the feed ing if you cannot get it somewhere warmer, you don't want soft new growth
  • AthelasAthelas Posts: 946
    edited April 2021
    Agree, if it’s going to stay outside I should have said to hold off on feeding until the weather warms up.

    In the link I shared, “Feed lemon trees three years old and up if mature leaves turn a lighter color. Use a balanced citrus fertilizer with micronutrients, applied according to the packaging directions, advises the University of California Master Gardeners San Diego. Do not feed the tree if no leaf color changes occur. Do not fertilize younger trees at all during the winter, since they are more likely to sustain growth flush damage than more mature trees are.”

    https://homeguides.sfgate.com/cover-lemon-tree-prevent-frost-61413.html
    Cambridgeshire, UK
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    My 3 citrus plants - Meyer lemon, limquat and yuzu - are all still in the polytunnel.   They were re-potted in late March and had their winter feed of specialist citrus fertiliser before that and again ion re-potting because they still have fruit on over winter and start into flower early so need the boost.

    In a normal year I'd have brought them out already to spend spring and summer and most of autumn on our south facing front steps where they get regularly watered - daily in heatwaves - and a nitrogen feed for their foliage.   As it is, it's been far too cold at night and we've had some very late frosts so we open the polytunnel doors by day let the pollinators in but tuck them up again at night.

    Hoping it'll be safe to bring them out at the weekend but will check the 10 day forecast carefully for more naughty cold winds from oop north or east. 
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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