Help with orange tree diagnosis....

Discussion in 'Citrus' started by Buddy43210, Nov 15, 2008.

  1. Buddy43210

    Buddy43210 Member

    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Columbus, OH USA
    I was wondering if anyone could offer a "diagnosis" of what's wrong with my Washington Navel Orange. I have attached a few pictures of the tree. The problem is almost all the leaves are curled up from the sides. Some to the point of being completely rolled up. The tree is planted in a mixture of around 80% CHC's and 20% Scott's Cactus and Citrus soil. I usually assume curled leaves mean root damage from over watering but I have only watered the tree once or twice in the past month. It was outside about a month ago but now resides inside under a 400 watt MH bulb. The halide bulb and my camera have made the pictures a bit more "greener" than what they really are. I appreciate any help. I enjoy reading the forum and all the great information from some very knowledgeable and experienced citrus growers. Thanks! Bud
     

    Attached Files:

  2. aesir22

    aesir22 Active Member

    Messages:
    218
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    durham - england
    What kind of temps does the environment get to? Citrus leaves sometimes do naturally curl, but they curl more when it is too hot, too bright or too dry. Its a natural defense. Also, be wary not to fall into the trap of underwatering from fear of overwatering.
     
  3. Buddy43210

    Buddy43210 Member

    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Columbus, OH USA
    Thanks for the reply aesir. I keep my place kind of cool, around 65 F. I measured the soil temp about 5 inches deep and it read 66 so I think I'm ok there, right? As for light the halide is bright, but the leaves started curling over the summer when it was out in the sun. Our summer had pretty normal temps, 75-85 with only a few 90 degree days. I know I shocked my lemon tree by not making a gradual transition from outdoor to indoor as it dropped most of it's leaves. I have had that happen before though and it always rebounds in about a month. The orange tree has me a puzzled though because even with the quick transition it has remained in this state of dry, curly leaves.
     
  4. aesir22

    aesir22 Active Member

    Messages:
    218
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    durham - england
    with a soil temp of 66, the roots may not be working as efficiently as the plant may require. This means they are not transporting water to leaves as quickly as they should. If this is the case, the leaves could be low in water content - can you heat the roots anymore? or make their position a little more shaded. if thats the problem, heating roots or shading the trees slightly could help
     
  5. Millet

    Millet Well-Known Member 10 Years

    Messages:
    1,698
    Likes Received:
    5
    Location:
    Denver,Colorado USA
    If your tree is planted in a mixture of 80 percent CHC and 20 percent cactus mix, you DO NOT (NEVER) have to worry about over watering. The drainage in the above medium should be very rapid. The tree's problem is NOT over watering, and it is not root damage, the tree's problem is UNDER watering. With the medium that this tree is growing in, the tree needs to be watered by submerging the entire container for 1-3 minutes. The irrigation pass through is to fast for overhead watering. I would say that personally, I would tend to like such a medium. You can also fertilize this tree by the submerge method. I would recommend a 250 - 300 PPM fertilizer concentration. Increase your watering. Give the tree a good drink, it must be very, very, VERY thirsty. - Millet
     
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2008
  6. Buddy43210

    Buddy43210 Member

    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Columbus, OH USA
    Thanks millet. That was the answer. I soaked the whole thing to saturation and now a few days later it's looking a lot better. Still some curl in the leaves, but I'm sure it will take some time to get back to normal. I definitely fell into the trap of under watering from fear of over watering.

    This board is great. I'm glad I found it. It's where I learned about using the CHC's in the first place. Too cool......

    Thanks again for the help.
     
  7. Millet

    Millet Well-Known Member 10 Years

    Messages:
    1,698
    Likes Received:
    5
    Location:
    Denver,Colorado USA
    Buddy, for containerized citrus, over watering is not the problem, lack of oxygen is the problem. A growth medium that is to compact (tight), with out enough coarse ingredients to provide a higher level of pore (air) spacing is always the problem. A loose medium that is rapid draining, is very difficult to over water. This summer, I conducted a test on two container citrus trees. One tree was planted in 100 percent 1/4 inch CHC, and the other tree was planted in a 50/50 mix of 1/4 and 1/2 inch CHC. I watered/fertilized (1-minute soak) the trees every morning for 62 days in a row. The water had fertilizer dissolved in it at 1/2 rate. After the long test period both trees were without any type of root problems, and the the growth was excellent. This demonstrates, it is not the amount of water applied to the container, but rather it is the amount of OXYGEN that remains in the medium after the irrigation, and is available to the roots. Remember, over watering is only a problem in mediums that are either tight, compressed,or a medium that does not maintain at least a 25 -35 percent pore space. After a year or two keep an eye on your tree's medium for signs of the medium slowly degrading and beginning to compact. Happy that your tree is doing well. Good luck to you and your tree. - Millet
     

Share This Page