Calamondin fruits falling off (forum)

au0rey starts with ...
I have a calamondin comquat in a large pot since March(in premium potting mix + aged cow manure + citrus fertiliser and mulched the top)

It started developing several fruits.

I fed it citrus fertiliser on May and then June (giving a small handful away from roots with watering).

The fruits did not look very healthy and a few started falling off instead of developing further.

Any idea why this is happening? I thought I have done everything right but would appreciate any comments/advice.

Thanks!

Time: 24th June 2009 3:35pm

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Steve says...
I suspect too much fertiliser having fed it in May & again in June.
Of course it depends on how much you gave the plant.
What about watering - too much or too little?
Is it receiving full sun?
Has it been exposed to a frost or cold nights?
It's normal for a fruit tree to set too many fruit & will drop some in their early stages.
Could you describe what "the fruits did not look very healthy" means, eg signs of pests or disease?
Are the leaves showing any abnormal signs or colours?
A feed of seaweed solution may help as it acts like a health tonic to plants & soil quality.

Time: 25th June 2009 6:59pm

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au0rey says...
Hi Steve, thanks for responding.

Have taken some pics of the fruits. Not many, just say about 6 and now only 3 are left. They are tiny and seem to have bite marks on them. I even found green aphids crowding around the 'bite marks' and seem to be feeding the juice?!

My plant is in a pot so I worry about not having enough nutrient, thus feeding with citrus fertiliser, but not a lot, just less than a handful sprinkled around the circumference of pot away from roots with watering. I think the watering is alright since it rained besides my watering when I feel that mix is running dry. I also do feed it with charlie carp monthly and seasol only once.

I do not cover it with protection at night as I thought it is able to withstand winter and it is not exactly frosty here at all.

This is the first time it is fruiting since I bought it in March.

Thanks!
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2
Picture: 3

Time: 27th June 2009 11:40am

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Steve says...
It looks more like an insect attack - could be Citrus Katydid, Spined Citrus Bug, Fruitspotting Bug etc.
Some bugs piece the skin & can produce these marks, while others eat the outer skin, but don't damage the fruit inside.

Time: 28th June 2009 12:24pm

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au0rey says...
Hmm...i havent seen any bugs but yes to aphids. They were found on the young shoots but I have trimmed them off a month ago.

I have possums around this area but I reckon I shouldnt blame them for these bite marks and fruit drop, should I? :)

Time: 28th June 2009 8:40pm

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amanda says...
Hi au0rey - i think i have found that link:

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/content/hort/fn/pw/citrusloss.pdf


Time: 29th June 2009 9:42am

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amanda says...
Take 2 au0rey... go to the garden & household section and into Garden Notes No38 www.agric.wa.gov.au)
I give my citrus lots of water during summer - they need quite a bit..maybe that's why none of my fruit drop even when it's 42 oC..? They each have 4 x 4l per hour drippers (=16 l/hr) and they are watered for 3-4hrs twice a week and then the odd hr when it's really hot.
I don't have possums (thankfully!!)

Time: 29th June 2009 4:47pm

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au0rey says...
Thanks Amanda..yeah I went to the link and read up...it could be water stress, fertiliser, pests...which I have no idea which haha...but I gain better understanding at why fruits drop...seems quite normal for citrus to produce lots fruits and shed them till a few is left...according to the article.

This is first time the plant is fruiting and right now most have dropped with 3 left..I am expecting more to drop since the leftover dont look so good...but it could be the case for the first year...I will stay positive...

Probably will plant it into the ground once i move to my permanent property so it may perform better. :)

Time: 29th June 2009 9:13pm

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amanda says...
ah - au0rey - if your plant only 1yr old then it's too young! - u shld remove all of the fruit for the first 2-3 yrs so your plants can develop a good strong framework and roots first.
It can really set your trees back if u don't and it's worth it - my citrus 3 ys old and solid as..they can carry a big crop 4 their size and the branches don't bend let alone break.

Time: 29th June 2009 10:12pm

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MH says...
HI auOrey,

Just wondering if this calamondin is a small lime? May I know where I can buy a plant? Thanks.

Time: 7th July 2009 4:19pm

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