Lemon Tree Dropping Leaves: How To Prevent Lemon Tree Leaf Drop

Lemon Tree Dropping Leaves: How To Prevent Lemon Tree Leaf Drop


Environmental Causes of Lemon Leaf Problems




Nutritional Deficiencies Causing Lemon Tree Leaf Drop



Lemon Leaf Diseases








Other Causes of Lemon Leaf Problems



About Meyer Lemon Tree Diseases

The Meyer lemon originated in China and was brought to the United States in 1908. It is not a true lemon and it is much less acidic than that of a regular lemon. The juice of the Meyer lemon is used as a substitute for regular lemon juice, but it looks has a very distinctive appearance. It resembles a large orange in both shape and color. The Meyer lemon, like other lemons, is susceptible to the same diseases as other citrus fruits.

Identifying and Treating Lemon Tree Diseases

The lemon tree is perhaps the most popular of citrus fruit trees cultivated the world over. Diseases that attack this tree may be viral, bacterial or fungal in nature. Most of them are not fatal. However, it helps to recognize symptoms early and take appropriate action. You can ensure the continued good health of your tree if you maintain a keen eye for any disease outbreaks. Following is a guide to help you identify and manage lemon tree diseases.

Citrus Canker

This bacterial disease causes leaves and fruit to drop off prematurely. Holes develop on the leaves which gradually turn brown. The fruit also becomes brown and develops bumpy areas with a water-soaked or oily yellow margin. Although the tree is unlikely to die, citrus canker causes a significant decline in health. Fruit yields are reduced and affected trees eventually cease to produce any fruit. Citrus canker is a highly contagious disease. Sharing garden equipment, severe storms and strong winds are likely to spread the infection rapidly. Spray with a copper fungicide immediately you notice the canker. However, trees that are severely infected need to be uprooted and destroyed.

Yellow Dragon Disease

It is a bacterial disease mainly spread by insects. Infected trees become yellow and weak. Leaves may become mottled. Fruit remains small and looses shape. Quite often ripened fruit will retain some green color. Uproot and dispose of any infected trees as this is the most effective way of control.

Brown Rot

Also known as root rot, this is a fungal disease caused when spores from the ground attack the trunk. It spreads more rapidly during severe storms. Brown patches of toughened bark develop on the tree trunk. Sap may ooze from the infected area. Mature fruit develop brown lesions with a strong odor. Foliage and blossoms also turn brown and decay. Gather and dispose of all infected leaves and fruit as they fall off the tree. Cut off low-hanging branches to help check the spread. Use a copper fungicide to spray affected parts immediately you notice symptoms. Repeat spray application after two seasons.

Greasy Spot

This is a fungal infection. Decomposing leaves on the ground underneath the tree develop airborne spores. These reproduce and transfer onto the tree through lower leaf surfaces. After an incubation period of several months black spots develop on the leaves. The tree experiences leaf loss which increases with time. Greasy spot is encouraged by warm and damp conditions. Gather and dispose of all fallen leaves. Spray with a liquid copper fungicide once in the summer and repeat in the fall.

Citrus Tristeza

This viral infection is spread by aphids. Grafting trees on vulnerable rootstock is likely to encourage the disease. Citrus tristeza causes wilting of trees, leaves become yellow and curly, and the tree remains dwarf-sized. Fruit yields also decline. It can be fatal if it causes a blockage of the circulatory system, leading to the death of the tree. Prevention is the best strategy in managing citrus tristeza. Choose healthy rootstock that can withstand the disease. Otherwise, spray infected trees with an insecticide to eliminate the aphids. This will help contain the spread of the disease.

Too Much Fertilization

Excessive fertilizer can lead to leaf drop. Young trees require light fertilization during the first year about 1 tablespoon per month during spring and summer. Beyond the first year, fertilize trees once every four to six weeks and gradually increase the amount of fertilizer each year as the tree grows, using a fertilizer made for citrus or an 8-8-8 fertilizer.

When using fertilizer, make sure you sprinkle it evenly, covering the entire root zone. Do not pile fertilizer right at the tree base, as this can cause damage. Proper fertilization practice can help prevent leaves falling off Meyer lemon trees from over-fertilization.

Lemon Leaf Problems - What Causes Lemon Leaves To Drop Off - garden


Sudden temperature changes or low temperatures can result in the loss of leaves. This is more likely to occur in winter.

Care should be taken to avoid over or under watering as this will lead to leaf loss. An over wet compost will also result in the roots rotting. In winter water the plants well and allow the compost to dry out before watering again. As temperatures start to rise in spring and new growth appears increase watering to keep the compost moist.

Indoors a dry atmosphere can result in leaf drop, misting with tepid water and standing the pot in a saucer containing gravel and water will increase the humidity around the plant. Ensure the pot is not standing in water as this will cause the roots to rot.

Citrus trees should never be stood near a radiator or other heat source. The trees like good air movement and when conditions are favourable and temperatures start to rise ventilate the greenhouse or conservatory on warm sunny days.

Potting the plant in a container that is too large can put the plant under stress and will also reduce the number of fruit produced.

Scale insect are a common pest of citrus trees and can be found on stems and both upper and lower leaf surfaces often next to leaf veins. Scale insects can be flat or domed and brown or greyish white in colour. Severe attacks can result in leaf drop. Spray the plant with an appropriate insecticide.

What's Wrong With My Meyer Lemon?

Lots of people must be growing Meyer lemon trees indoors, because lots of people keep asking Grumpy what the heck is wrong with theirs. If you're one of them, console yourself with the thought that these citrus trees are notoriously finicky and often drive their owners nuts. Here's a list of common complaints and what you can do about them.

But first, let's review what these trees require in order to grow well in a pot. They need very bright light, excellent drainage, mild temperatures, and proper fertilization with a fertilizer formulated just for citrus that contains iron, zinc, manganese, and magnesium. Leave out just one of these things and your tree will not be happy.

OK, these are the complaints Grumpy hears most often and actions you should take to keep them from happening again.

"Most of the fruit drops off while it's still small." It's natural for a Meyer lemon to do this, because it often sets much more fruit than it can ripen. (Remember, it's growing in a pot, not in the ground.) Other possible causes -- too much fertilizer at the wrong time (use citrus fertilizer at the rate recommended on the label in spring or summer when the tree is actively growing) soil got too dry after fruit set.

"Most of the flowers fall off before setting fruit." Meyer lemon often does this as a way to prevent setting too much fruit. Other possible causes -- fertilizing at the wrong time soil got too dry soil stayed too wet tree was exposed to cold temperatures.

"Lots of leaves turn yellow and drop at the same time." Something is wrong with the soil. Most often, it's that the roots are staying wet too long. This leads to root rot, leaf drop, and possible death. Citrus trees should NEVER sit in saucer filled with water. When you water, do so thoroughly so that excess water runs out of the drainage hole. Then let the soil go somewhat dry before watering again. Other possible causes -- nutrient deficiencies due to lack of fertilization exposure to cold poor drainage and wet soil.

"The lemons stay green and don't ripen." Meyer lemon doesn't ripen like an apple. The process takes a long time. Often the fruit will reach full size and stay green for months before it changes color. So be patient. Other possible causes -- lack of sun your kids painted the fruits green for a school project.

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