Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Lemon Tree issue

peachy1999peachy1999 Posts: 4
in Problem solving
Hi there.

I have a lemon tree which I have just put outside for the summer. Previously it was inside with quite little light. Since coming outside and repotting it, it has grown many leaves and flowers which is great. However, some of the old leaves have gone crispy and brown and fallen off. There is some very slight yellowing on some of the branches and some black spots on the old leaves and branches and I am not sure why. I was worried it had too much sunlight, but I'm not sure. Any suggestions are very welcome 
«1

Posts

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Can you add a full view of the lemon to get an idea of overall health. They drop leaves all the time, so not worrying in the slightest. I'm though surprised you had it in a dim space...they need lots of light to be happy. Hope you bring it back in to find it a brighter spot. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Evergreen plants always have some leaf loss thru the year as they regenerate and some will go crispy, especially in reaction to changes of temperature or winds they've not been used to indoors.

    You need to be giving it nitrogen feeds now to promote good leaf growth and then from September, switch to one high in potash, potassium and magnesium to promote flowers and fruits.  There are special citrus feeds available but tomato fertiliser will do for this if you can't find it.

    Mine goes into the polytunnel for winter along with a yuzu and a limquat but winters aren't as cold here so they're alright and get plenty of light and occasional waterings as they're producing ripe fruit by then.   I put them all out along the south facing wall of our house once night time temps are regularly 10C+.  They get watered every day in heatwaves like this and have slow release feed granules.

    As for the rest, we need a complete picture as @amancalledgeorge says.
    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
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    If you have been keeping it inside with not much light and have only recently moved it outside, it will suffer a bit from the sudden exposure to the harsh sun and heat and will take time to settle to a new environment.
    It's normal for them to drop leaves as @amancalledgeorge says and from your photos, it would appear you have new growth coming along.

  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Did you use a proper citrus compost?
  • Mariam_86Mariam_86 Posts: 79
    edited July 2021
    Obelixx said:
    Evergreen plants always have some leaf loss thru the year as they regenerate and some will go crispy, especially in reaction to changes of temperature or winds they've not been used to indoors.

    You need to be giving it nitrogen feeds now to promote good leaf growth and then from September, switch to one high in potash, potassium and magnesium to promote flowers and fruits.  There are special citrus feeds available but tomato fertiliser will do for this if you can't find it.

    Mine goes into the polytunnel for winter along with a yuzu and a limquat but winters aren't as cold here so they're alright and get plenty of light and occasional waterings as they're producing ripe fruit by then.   I put them all out along the south facing wall of our house once night time temps are regularly 10C+.  They get watered every day in heatwaves like this and have slow release feed granules.

    As for the rest, we need a complete picture as @amancalledgeorge says.

    @Obelixx I’m a bit surprised you suggest the high nitrogen feed now and then high potassium from September. I thought the high K fertiliser was to promote fruits which develop now?

    I’ve been feeding my small lemon tree with a 537 citrus fertiliser. I’m assuming this isn’t a high N fertiliser? My lemon tree has produced small fruit - I thought I should now start feeding with tomato feed?

    Any advice appreciated, thanks 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I have only had my citrus plants for 2 or 4 years and I was surprised too but that's the advice for citrus fruits.  They need to put on good new leaves to see them thru the autumn and winter when those fruits are ripening and need support.   I apply slow release feeds rather than liquid so pelleted chicken manure for late spring and summer and then I switch to the specialist citrus feed granules for autumn and winter.  That way they take as much as they need at each watering.

    My lemon has both blossom and small fruits at the mo and the limquat is just a bit behind, being more tender.  The yuzu has produced its first flowers this year.
    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
  • Mariam_86Mariam_86 Posts: 79
    Thanks - I don’t buy specialist feeds usually and it’s a little annoying that the one time I do, turns out it isn’t even suitable! I’ll look for a high N feed…

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Your citrus feed will be fine but add a nitrogen feed for the summer months.  One sold for leafy plants will do or just make your own with nettles if you have some to hand.  Smelly but free and effective.

    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/nettle/nettle-as-fertilizer.htm 
    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
  • Mariam_86Mariam_86 Posts: 79
    Unfortunately no nettles to hand. I only have some Growmore fertiliser to hand 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I've never used that as it's chemical based so have no idea of its NPK balance.   I tend to use pelleted chicken manure, nettles for nitrogen, comfrey tea for roses, clematis and tomatoes and other plants that produce loads of flowers and/or fruits but last autumn, after seeing advice on here, I did buy specialist citrus feed for winter.  It remains to be seen whether it works better but I did see my first flowers on the young yuzu this spring.
    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
Sign In or Register to comment.