I have a potted lemon that is about 2 years old and about 2 1/2 feet tall with 4 main branches. Last winter when we brought it in, it was lush and beautiful then it got some kind of mite and killed all of it but two leaves. Last summer we put it back outside and it came back with a gusto. It grew in every direction and looked great once again. We brought back in the house befor it froze outside. Once inside it grew about 3 inches on all main branches. But now about 2 months later the leave are starting to turn a pale greenish yellow and are falling off. We did repot over the summer and it is in the south facing window with other plants. My wife thinks it is from inconsistant watering, Im not so sure. The soil is moist and the room it is in stays about 70 degrees though near the window it is a little cooler. Thanks for your help. travman
The yellowing leaves could be caused by normal processes, or as a result of a problem. Is it the larger older leaves that are turning yellow? Does the yellowing start at the bottom of the leaf with the top portion of the yellowing centering in on the leaf's mid rib, more or less in an inverted "V"? No matter what the problem is, or is not, you NEED to get a soil thermometer and be checking the soil (root zone) temperature throughout the winter months. The root zone temperature WILL NOT be the same temperature as the room, due to evaporation of moisture from the container. If you maintain a soil temperature in the range of 64 to 70F (higher is better) your tree will not lose leaves. Let us know about the yellow coloring. - Millet
The yellowing seems to be on the leaves in the middle of the branches. In other words the leaves that are the oldest and the youngest are not affected yet. It seems to be coming from the center of the leaf outward but closer to the stem or branch. Thank you for your help.
Without a picture, I'll give you my best guess. The leaves that are yellowing and falling, might just be old leaves. The life span of a citrus leaf is 18-22 months. However, as your tree lost most of it leaves, and just regrew new foliage this past summer (4-5 months ago) I doubt that this is the case. It might also be because the tree is receiving a significant drop in light as compared to what the tree received when growing out in the sun, however being in a south facing window, I do not think this is causing your trees problem. My best guess is WLD (Winter Leaf Drop), especially if only the leaf blade itself (without the stem still attached) is being discarded from the tree. In other words, the petiole remain attached to the branch. Lastly, you need to fertilizing the tree (at least at 1/2 strength) during the winter, because you are providing a warm location for the tree. NOTE: #1 thing to do quickly is check the soil temperature mid way from the containers rim and the trees trunk. As the tree is losing leaves, keep the soil at 70F. I believe just doing the temperature will stop your leaf drop. Use the search function on this forum and read the many threads on "Winter Leaf Drop" and also "WLD". Also searching this forum you will find many threads on method to keep the soil (root zone) warm. Good luck to this tree. - Millet
