Hi, I have a 3-4 yr old grapefruit tree i started from a seed and i keep indoors in the winter due to WI's usual 40 below weather.I have never allowed her out but once in a frost( mainly i'll bring her indoors when its down to 30 degrees). She is about four feet tall, has never been pruned. Also, she has not budded since earlier last summer. I am somewhat concerned cause she has never lost her leaves (none!) before and now she's had two (yes two!) leaves fall off in the past few days...a few other leaves have brown spots on them..i know this seems like nothing serious but this tree is my baby and i'd like to prevent a problem rather than lose her. Any one know what could be wrong? Is it normal for Citrus trees to lose their leaves in this fashion? *will post photos later* thanks
I is normal for citrus trees to shed older leaves. One way you can tell if it is normal is whether the leaf drops with or without the petiole-- if the petiole stays on the tree it is probably due to stress. Skeet
Thanks for the info, Skeet! What sort of thing would cause stress on her? could she possible need to be transplanted to a larger pot? She's currently in a 4 gallon pot/bucket, at 4 feet tall. >_> I'm quite sure she's rootbound. :( Wren
Stress can come from a variety of causes-- overwatering is common and can be related to the age of the potting soil. As soil ages, it compacts, especially potting soils with lots of peat moss. When you repot, use a soil with lots of pine bark chunks and about 1/4th peat moss. Or you can look up Millet's recipe for CHC potting mix on this forum-- it will last longer than pine bark. One other common stress in winter is direct sun on leaves while the soil is below about 60F-- called winter leaf drop (WLD). Skeet
As a citrus leaf ages its ability to carry out its function, which is to supply energy to the tree diminishes. When a leaf reaches the point where it requires more energy than it provides for the tree it is quickly discarded. There is no welfare program for citrus leaves. A citrus leaf has a life expectancy of approximately 2 years. Two dropped leaves is not a reason for concern. However, it is always prudent to keep an eye on containerized citrus trees, especially during the winter months. An old citrus leaf, tends to have a yellowish color especially in the center part of the blade. As your tree is three years old, if you have never transplanted your tree into a larger container the tree must certainly be root bound. You can slip the tree out of the container and examine the root zone to verify how badly the roots are crowded. As a general rule a containerized tree should be transplanted into a larger container, or root pruned once every year, certainly once every two years. The three most important things that you can do at this time is: 1) do not over water, 2) maintain a root zone temperature of at least 64F (70F is better) if the foliage is placed in direct sun, 3) transplant if the tree is highly root bound. About the fruiting of your grapefruit tree. Grapefruits grown from seed are not the best good choice of citrus varieties to plant due to their very long juvenile period. Generally a containerized seedling grapefruit tree (grown from a seed) takes between 12-15 year before any fruit can be expected. Usually grapefruits grown as containerized trees may never fruit. If you like Mandarins, plant a Mandarin seed, and you will get fruit in 4-5 years, or a Key Lime seed and obtain fruit in 2-3 years. Anyway, I can easily understand your love for your tree, and I wish you and the tree the very best. - Millet
Millit just read your answer to skeeter about her tree and found your information to be very interesting as I have a grapefruit tree that came from a seedling Thanks for sharing your knowledge klasielady
I've not over watered, and her soil is from our well fertilized garden so any leaf lose is most likely due to nature..makes me feel better to know my Emerald is alright. ^^ Tho, there is still the issue of her pot being quite small for her. At four feet tall, will a 7 or 8 gallon pot do? I'm planning on transplanting her soon and taking care of her roots...If i need to prune them, how much should i take off? She's actually been transplanted a few times, but i've never done anything for her roots. I'm also suddenly concerned about her ever producing fruit..I've seen grapefruit trees with flowers in their first year...And mine has never flowered :( A Mandarin or Lime tree will be fun.. I might try them out this spring! Thanks loads both of you guys for the help, i really appreciate it! ~wren
