Citrus Tree questions (forum)

Bronwyn starts with ...
Hello,

I am new to citrus, and have a couple of queries. I have 4 dwarf trees - Orange, Lemon, Lime and mandarin (pic 1).

1. My lemon and lime tree's leaves are starting to yellow (pics 2 and 3). I have read this could be either lack of magnesium in the soil ,or over watering (lot of rain in Syd since they have been planted). Do you know which it might be? (as an aside, the Orange and Mandarin trees - planted in the same area - do not have yellowing leaves).

2. My lemon tree has 2 good lemons growing on it, but the other trees (and now lemon included) either flower, and drop the fruit or dont flower at all. Is this normal for baby trees (5 months in the ground) or should they be fruiting?

they were composted and mulched a couple of weeks ago.

(apologies if this is a repost, my first attempt timed out)

Thanks in advance
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2
Picture: 3

Time: 18th January 2012 1:13pm

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About the Author Bronwyn4
Sydney
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chillilover says...
I may be wrong but looking at the photos i think your plants are too young to fruit. Maybe you should remove the fruits and let the plant get stronger and encourage new growth. Once properly established then allow them to fruit.

Ps; no expert at this.

Time: 19th January 2012 10:46am

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About the Author Chillilower
sydney
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Kathy says...
I'd agree with chillilover - remove fruit and flowers and let the trees establish themselves. I think nurseries sometimes force fruit growth just to attract customers!

As for the leaves: The leaves that are affected seem to be the older leaves. I don't think it is magnesium deficiency (which usually leaves a triangle of green at the base of the leaf).

I'd leave the trees a while before doing anything. Once the fruit and flowers are off - the trees should grow better (mind you they look really healthy now!)- I'd just watch to see what happens with the yellowing! Citrus naturally lose some leaves which turn yellow and fall.

Leaves with green veins and yellow are a different matter BUT again - just wait and see! It might just be the fruit on the lemon tree is draining all goodness out of the tree.

Kathy



Time: 19th January 2012 11:47am

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About the Author kathyturner
Maleny, Qld
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MaryT says...
This site has pictures of citrus leaves and their problems.

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/horticulture/citrus/management/nutrition/nutrition#Leaf-analysis

Time: 21st January 2012 1:10am

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About the Author MaryT
Sydney
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