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Lemon problems...

SunshinefieldsSunshinefields Posts: 22
in Fruit & veg
Hello, we have lost lots of leaves on our mini lemon bush in the greenhouse, I cut it right back last year and it's grown lots in the cold frame and put it in the greenhouse because of a cold spell we had. Noticed today that lots of leaves have dropped off. Any advice would be great on what we need to do next. Many thanks 
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  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Depending where you live,they will loose their leaves if they go below 10c. What care did you give over winter?
  • SunshinefieldsSunshinefields Posts: 22
    Hi nanny beach, thanks for that. I wondered if it had anything to do with what looks like tiny snails. I think it's stayed above 10 lately and it's being kept in the greenhouse at the moment. Would it benefit from a liquid seaweed feed or anything like that? Thanks again
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    In the second picture you can see scale insects on it, better treat them before they proliferate further, my Thai lime had an outbreak earlier this year. Losing the leaves at such horrible weather is not uncommon but I'm concerned your leaves have been also munched. So I would take a good look to see who was the culprit. 

    And being in active growth right now, do get some specialist feed for the summer to give it a proper boost just seaweed won't have the nutrients to support a hungry plant like a lemon. I keep mine in our summer house and they have had quite a bit of growth already despite going through slightly battered by the weather. Give it some love and it will recover 😉
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Scale insects are a flaming nuisance,we now use Neem,and only proper citrus feed, separate winter and summer feed
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Deal with the scale insects, feed appropriately according to season and don't forget to water it.  That compost looks dry to me.

    Have a look at this info on citrus cultivation - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/fruit/citrus 
    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
  • SunshinefieldsSunshinefields Posts: 22
    Brilliant thanks all! I shall give it a good feed and inspect any leaves (that are left) for intruders! Just to recap, will it be alright in the greenhouse or can I bring it outside on the sunny patio when the temperature stays well above 10? Or would it be better looked after inside the kitchen by the patio doors? Thanks again everyone 👍
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    edited May 2021
    Depends on the variety.  Mine is a Meyer lemon so hardier than most and has been outside against a south facing wall for a couple of weeks now along with a yuzu and a limquat.

    If you read that link I gave you you will see that minimum temps of 10C are needed for most citrus.
    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
  • SunshinefieldsSunshinefields Posts: 22
    @Obelixx wow that link is fantastic thank you. To be honest it probably needs re potting but I've given it a feed and rubbed off the scale insects thingys. I amazed it's that big as I cut it right back and left it in the cold frame all last summer to recover, hopefully we have a fighter and it recovers again!
  • SunshinefieldsSunshinefields Posts: 22
    Once again, thanks all. For what it's worth, I managed to nip out and completely re pot it this afternoon and found a ton of ants in the bottom of the old pot. This lemon is getting everything thrown at it 😂
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Ants indicate very dry compost so give the pot a saucer so that when you water it in future it can soak up what gets as far the saucer and keep a better moisture distribution.   It is really difficult to get compost moist again once it is that dry as the water just runs thru the channels and isn't absorbed.
    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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