Lemon tree (forum)

Julie starts with ...
My lemon is definitely suffering from a deficiency, but it's hard to tell from pics - looks a bit like manganese def but not sure.

I just noticed today that new growth is a purplish colour, but Google hasn't helped - probably didn't use the right words! The fruit seems OK, but not quite ripe yet.

Can't post a pic as I've lost my camera USB cable. Must get a new one.

Any ideas someone?

Time: 20th May 2010 8:46pm

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Original Post was last edited: 20th May 2010 8:48pm

About the Author Julie
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amanda says...
Hey Julie - Nitrogen deficiency can cause reddish colours - but it has to be pretty bad (can't imagine that with your experience!) Boron deficiency can cause colouring also.
According to a great book I get at my library - Zinc deficiency most common on the new growth, sun-pelted side of the tree and manganese the shaded side.....? I don't know about that tho'. Manganese def'y usually on normal size, recently matured leaves and more common in autumn.

My plum trees had fantastic autumnal red colours due to boron deficiency...

Are the deficient leaves normal sized? Mottled?

Time: 20th May 2010 8:56pm

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About the Author amanda19
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Julie says...
The leaves are normal size amanda. It's not nitrogen, I know what that looks like, and I think it has been getting enough. They are sort of mottled, but each leaf is different! Not zinc though, I know that one.

Just saw on a forum somewhere that new purple growth is normal! Why have I not noticed this before? Apparently they will turn green as they get older.

I'll have a look in the library for a citrus book - what was yours called?

Time: 20th May 2010 9:21pm

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Original Post was last edited: 20th May 2010 9:23pm

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amanda says...
Hi Julie - this book is great. I wonder if there is a place where u can buy these kinds of text books?
Anyway - I am about to treat my lime tree with zinc + manganese sulphate...as it's got a similar problem..(I just picked 15kg of fruit off it and it's only 1.5m tall..poor thing!) I will post a pic later - we may have same thing.
I have given it a good feed of dynamic lifter and such - but it hasn't changed the mottling.

It must be something to do with the rootstock as it (and the lemon tree) are the only citrus that I have this problem with (have got mandarins, navels, grapefruit, tangello and kaffir lime - they are all great)?
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 21st May 2010 9:33am

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Julie says...
When looking for books, always try The Book Depository first. This is in the UK, but they have FREE POSTAGE to anywhere in the world. Their prices are cheap too.

They have this book amanda - bit pricey at $52.22, but textbooks tend to be expensive.

I've bought a few books from them, and they get it to you pretty fast too.

Brad sent me an email suggesting it might need sulphur - don't think so, but I'll check the pH. The red leaves are already turning green on some branches, so this doesn't seem to be a symptom of anything lacking.

Time: 21st May 2010 8:08pm

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Original Post was last edited: 21st May 2010 8:14pm

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amanda says...
Hi Julie - thanks for that info.. I really appreciate it! I was also thinking that the Uni bookstores used have good reference books.
Here are my leaves - I am definitely suspecting zinc - but I think something else like manganese/iron may be involved too.

Mine get plenty of calcium and sulphate from the liquid gypsum. Sulphur def'y will affect all of the leaves (old n new).

The reason I suspect maganese also is that it's happening on middle-age leaves too. And not always on the new growth.

Leaves are getting small tho'! These are random growth leaves from the same tree. They have been treated with Hi-Trace liquid a few times during summer - but I must get in there and do a pH test too..been lazy.

We had 20mm of rain last nite - so soil nice n wet (at last!) so maybe I do 2day.

What do u reckon?
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2

Time: 22nd May 2010 10:55am

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chris says...
remember many time deficiencies are a result of nutrient imbalances and/or also pH levels outside the normal range. Certain micro nutrients become unavailable for uptake, rather than are lacking in the soil.


Time: 22nd May 2010 12:47pm

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amanda says...
Yes - thanks Chris - that's why I foliar feed any specific deficiencies.

Time: 22nd May 2010 2:45pm

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Julie says...
Yup, I would say zinc. My lime looks exactly like that. Possibly something else too, but too early to tell (may show up later?).

Check out the price if UWA bookshop has this book, but then add postage - not cheap these days.

Time: 22nd May 2010 7:31pm

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amanda says...
Thanks Julie - my passionfruit vine is the same - but it's much worse on the shaded side of the wall. I know my soil is deficient in all the trace elements from the soil testing - but not all plants are affected equally are they.

That book is out of print unfortunately. It doesn't seem like anyone has come up with an alternative either. It's a shame really - as general gardening books are a bit light on this topic. I may have to get the library one copied I think.

I have googled this topic to death!! and even Amazon has nothing...(well under $100 at least - owch!)

Time: 22nd May 2010 11:49pm

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Julie says...
Are you sure amanda? I checked back with TBD, and there is 'no cover image', but no mention of being out of print. I didn't follow it further (add to cart etc) - did you?

Even if it was out of print, it still may come back again if there is a demand. I'll have a look in my local library.

Just checked with liswa, and there seem to be only two copies - one in Broome and one in Geraldton! so I'll have to put in a request.

Time: 23rd May 2010 8:41pm

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Original Post was last edited: 23rd May 2010 8:46pm

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amanda says...
Hi Julie..I usually have the Gero copy out on permanent loan!! :-))) Amazon books said out of print. I reckon the Govt should reprint some of their publications - they are great resources.

Anyway - did my pH and it's around 7 to 7.5 - so I figure zinc, manganese and iron most likely in this range. Boron and copper are affected with increasing alkalinity and boron has been a problem in my soil previously.

I think I'll give it the zinc n manganese spray and see how it goes. It's been awhile since I treated for iron - i will keep an eye on that too?

Time: 24th May 2010 4:50pm

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Julie says...
At last, some pictures. still can't decide what it needs, so any help would be appreciated.

Didn't work, something about 'allowed memory size', which makes no sense to me! It was only two pictures.

Time: 22nd June 2010 12:34am

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Original Post was last edited: 22nd June 2010 12:36am

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