Lime Tree Dying?

Discussion in 'Citrus' started by LadybugCA, Jul 2, 2008.

  1. LadybugCA

    LadybugCA Member

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    Can anyone help me? I have a dwarf lime tree (in ground) several years old, that was doing amazingly well, until a couple weeks ago. The leaves started turning yellow and nearly 75% of them fell off. Now, the remaining leaves are curled up.
    I am so saddened, as this was looking to be my best year yet for limes. There are still several tiny limes on the tree. I just don't want my tree to die. It would be great if there's anyway to save the crop too.
    There doesn't seem to be any insects or disease on the tree. I have an avocado, blood orange, and lemon right next to the lime that are thriving...just as the lime was, until this turn for the worst.
     
  2. skeeterbug

    skeeterbug Active Member

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    Any change in watering? Any damage on the trunk?
     
  3. LadybugCA

    LadybugCA Member

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    I was slow soaking it once a week. It seemed to like it, but then all of a sudden it lost more than half it's leaves. Once I saw the yellow leaves, I stopped watering it, hoping it would keep the leaves it still has and regenerate. I also gave it some citrus fertilizer.
    Is there a better way to water lime trees?
    There isn't any trunk damage.
     
  4. Millet

    Millet Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    I assume you have been watering the avocado, blood orange, and lemon right next to the lime in the same manner. - Millet
     
  5. LadybugCA

    LadybugCA Member

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    Yes, I water all the other trees the same way. They are thriving.
    Yesterday, I noticed the lime was taking a turn for the worse. The remaining leaves which had been staying soft, yet curled, seemed to be drying up a bit more, so this was the first day I've deep watered it in weeks. The tiny limes seem to be staying on the tree as well. Any advice?
     
  6. skeeterbug

    skeeterbug Active Member

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    It is difficult to say for sure, but I suspect root damage from overwatering--or to put it the other way, I can't imagine a tree dying from lack of water if it was deep watered once a week. I am not familiar with your soil type and climate, but here in NW FL with sandy soil that does not retain water, I have several well established inground trees that I do not water at all unless it has not rained for at least 2 weeks. I do water a couple of my trees that have fruit once a week during the fruit filling period from bloom to the end of June.

    Overwatering does not kill a tree directly, they may even seem to do well for a while. What it does is promote root rot. When that happens, the trees look like they need water because dead roots cannot take in water. You will need to keep it on the dry side, but not let it get too dry until it recovers.

    You need to learn to water only when the tree really need it, not on a schedule. Try checking to see if the soil is dry at least a couple inches down.
     
  7. LadybugCA

    LadybugCA Member

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    My soil type is hard clay and pretty rocky, I have amended the soil due to these conditions. The climate is Southern California coastal, meaning: no rain, 72 degrees, beach humidity, 1 mile from the coast. A desert on the ocean.

    The lime tree seemed to love the water, as you mentioned, during blossom and fruiting period, but all of a sudden dropped most it's leaves and the rest are soft and curled up yellowish-green.

    Is there anything I can do to stop the root damage, if this is what is wrong with it?
     
  8. skeeterbug

    skeeterbug Active Member

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    If it has gotten root rot, you will have to let the tree dry as much as you can between watering.

    By amending the soil, you actually made it a sponge in a pot without a hole in the bottom. The heavy clay soil does not drain, so all the water acumulates in the amended soil and just sits there displacing much needed air (oxygen).

    If you end up having to replace the tree, do not add amendments to the soil. Dig a hole just bigger than the root ball and backfill with the soil from the hole.
     

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