This is a small lemon grown from seed a few years ago. It's not responding to any nitrogen rich fertilizers to green up the leaves. Perhaps Iron is what's needed? It's healthy otherwise and is just begining to push (burgundy) new growth. I don't expect to ever get fruit from this, just a healthy plant. Any help is appreciated. Cheers, LPN.
My guess would be sort some of micronutrient deficiency since you've already tried applying nitrogen. Does your fertilizer contain micronutrients, including iron? I wouldn't discount the possibility of fruit production as lemons have a short junvenility period. BTW, the tree has nice form. Is it natural or due to selective pruning?
I don't think it's a deficiency at all. Certain citrus will give this coloration in cool climates. I have Lemons & limes that will do this every winter during the cold period. In the summer when the heat builds up they return to thier normal dark green flourishing state...
Well ... my first thoughts where an Iron or perhaps Manganese deficiency. All the usual micronutrients are included with what I use. Boron, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum & Zinc. Maybe like Laaz points out, cooler climates or winter periods bring on this coloring. It has never been indoors, only kept in an unheated greenhouse during winter. Frost killed back new emerging growth last Autumn, which is the only "pruning" this Lemon has recieved. Maybe a couple of more applications of fertilizer at the recommended intervals will do the trick. Temps are supposed to be in the mid 80's shortly and hopefully this will aid as well. Thanks, LPN.
Laaz, I think you are correct. The efficiency of the root system of citrus trees to absorb nitrogen (or anything for that matter) can drop approximately 70 percent during cold/cool weather. When the "soil" again warms up to around 65/70-F degrees (18/21 C) the tree's root system will again become highly efficient and the foliage should then once again darken, just as Laaz says. - Millet
Laaz and Millet, For trees that are suffering from a micronutrient deficiency, what is the typical amount of time to recovery once feeding is resumed, assuming the tree is in active growth?
Which form of fertilizer are you using such as liquid or granular fertilizer of both? You do have the beginnings of a nutrient deficiency. The new growth when the warmer temperatures come about may have normal color but somehow I have the feeling the sizes of the leaves will be smaller than your old growth leaves are and I suspect by Summer you may have some yellowing in the older leaves. There are signs of cold sensitivity but all in all this tree did well right where right it is. I'd like to see this tree get more sunlight to better utilize the applied nutrients but that is just me and if it were me I'd go granular fertilizers, give the tree more sun and water in the fertilizer well when applied to a container plant or give the Lemon new soil before Summer. New soil and 0-10-10 with 6-10% Calcium about 6 weeks later and applied again before the onset of real cold during the Winter has cleared up one growers always off-colored leaves for me. Give me two seasons with the 0-10-10 and then I'll give the tree some Nitrogen in the Spring here when the last frost has passed to sustain the new found leaf color for me. Just an idea to think about. Jim
Thanks mr. shep (Jim). Cool (Cold) weather is definately a factor up here in the PNW. The real heat doesn't come on until mid to late May. I've noticed other citrus that are positioned in a warm micro-climate are doing better. So I'll take you're advise on the fertilizer, but I'm not about to re-pot with new soil. Not that I don't like your idea, only that I'm busy and lazy. A strange combination really, so I'm honest with myself in believing that I'll most likely not get around to it. Cheers, LPN.
