Dying key lime tree (Help please)

Discussion in 'Citrus' started by keylime, Jul 26, 2007.

  1. keylime

    keylime Member

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    Location:
    Southern USA
    I'm having a serious issue with my key lime tree, that I would really like to save. My wife and I bought the little tree right before our wedding so it has a lot of sentimental value for us.

    At the time, we were living further north, and had the plant outside in the summer, indoors in the winter. In the summer, it flourished and had flowers; in the winter it dwindled rather. The second winter (this past winter), in dwindled rather completely. First most of the leaves turned slightly brown, then fell. After a short vacation, it was bare.

    I added some nutrients to the soil, and kept it watered and in the sunlight, but to no avail. We also had a growing light on it, and kept misting it frequently. It managed to grow a couple thorns, but that was about it. I've had it outside, and we've since moved to the south, and I'd really like the thing to start to fluorish again. What's the best way to go about doing this?

    There are several things I've noticed when going over these fora. Many problems lie in root rot. I've allowed the soil to remain dry for awhile, so hopefully, it has diminished. I took a quick (but not thorough) look at the roots which looked healthy (to my untrained eye). The other worry was giving too many nutrients to the soil. Should I try to repot the plant into soil that's fresh and more closely formulated for a citrus plant? Would a rooting compound help ensure some growth?

    I'll take some pictures later this afternoon when I get a chance, and see if there is anything that it can show you. What specific images would help?

    Like I said, we bought the plant, but we knew nothing about it, so I don't know if it's grafted onto root stock, or if it was grown from seed, how old it is/was, or anything of the like. I'd really love some help.
     
  2. skeeterbug

    skeeterbug Active Member

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    Location:
    Pensacola, USA
    The roots were healthy if they were cream colored and firm, not brown and spongy. As for nutrients, citrus need to be fertilized frequently, once a month if using granular fertilizer, once every 3-4 months with slow release. If you use a fertilizer in the water, you can use fertilizer with every watering if you use a concentration of 250-300 ppm N in the water.

    A big problem many beginners have is due to winter leaf drop associated with indoor exposure to direct sunlught while the roots are in cold soil (anything in the low 60s or less can cause problems).
     

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