Lime tree not thriving (forum)

jarc2534 starts with ...
I have a lime tree that is probably 10 years old. In the last year it has really suffered, with part of it freezing in our greenhouse, and then one night getting coated with soot from a mal-functioning kerosene heater. I washed the tree the next day to try to remove the soot, and as we determined the frozen section, I pruned that out. Since putting it outdoors in full sun, it has been in a lot of wind. The leaves appear healthy, except they have a mottled appearance, and there has been no new growth.
This has been a wonderful tree and in the past had bloomed throughout the year, producing (key we think) limes. I do feed it commercial citrus food, and water it regularly.
As I write this I realize the glads growing in the pot need to be removed. Other suggestions will be welcome.
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Time: 11th May 2010 12:08pm

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About the Author jarc2534
Wichita Falls, Texas
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Posts: 2
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amanda says...
Hello jarc2534. I have no idea what kind of pests u get over there - but the mottling reminds me of spider-mite damage...? Have u had a good look under the leaves... u may need a magnifying glass (or a sap-sucking fly of some kind?)

My mum always grows some damn thing in the pot with her lime trees ;-) and it seems (to me) citrus do not like to share. Her's are always hungry.

Maybe repot it up - into some good quality mix at the same time (then u can get the bulbs out too) if u haven't done this for awhile?

If u can't repot - maybe give it a good flushing out to prevent/remove any build-up of fertiliser salts? And check the pH of your mix - it may be "sour" Do you have a dish under the pot?

I would probably be more ruthless with the pruning and totally renovate the tree - but it may be better for you to wait until your weather gets warmer now and there are signs of new growth. U may have to forgo fruit this season :-(

I don't know if this is of any help...but it's what I would try first. The beauty of the pot is that u can put it in the back of your car and take it to your nearest garden centre and get help!?

Time: 14th May 2010 8:11pm

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About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. WA
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jarc2534 says...
Thanks for reminding me about spider mites. Hadn't thought about that.
I love to garden, provide habitat for the critters (mostly birds & butterflies) and as we have lived at our present location only 3 years, we are still planting and developing areas. Recently it's been fun to watch a mockingbird & flycatcher try to guard the same mulberry tree. In our wild area we have planted a small wild plum thicket, black haws, native (Texas) persimmons, Japanese pine, grapes, and several varieties of blackberries & black raspberries. We do have a small garden with asparagus, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, potatoes, onions, squash, cantaloupes & melons. Hope to also have green beans & okra, but some critter is eating off the beans.
Our small orchard is coming along nicely & this year we hope to get some peaches, apples, apricots, & plums. Have several pear trees but they are bare. On the garden side of the yard we have a variety of blackberry called brazosberry, which this year is loaded with berries. Last year we had a pollination problem. One of my sons gave me some may bees (orchard bee) which either solved the problem, or the domestic honeybees found our free smorgasboard. (We hadn't seen a lot of bees). We also have 2 small meyer lemon trees, but they are in pots & I removed all the fruit so they could produce more growth. They are from cuttings from a variety we have been growing for 20 years. Have left trees we planted at 2 different homes further south in Texas.
Wind is also a big problem in this area! We have a drig irrigation system to most of the trees & garden, and so far the city hasn't rationed water, so that hasn't been a problem.
Again, thanks for your input! JoA



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Time: 15th May 2010 6:58am

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About the Author jarc2534
Wichita Falls, Texas
#UserID: 3708
Posts: 2
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