Revival of lemon plant after scales and mealy bugs infestations

Discussion in 'Citrus' started by Tjwellness, Dec 21, 2022.

  1. Tjwellness

    Tjwellness New Member

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    Hello All Experts here,
    Please help...
    I've managed to get rid of the scales and mealy bugs buy spraying neem oil from my lemon plant.

    Many of the weak leaves have fallen off and I'm wondering if I should trim down/off the branches.

    Appreciate all the advice and help I can get to revive the once healthy plant. Thank you in advanced.
     

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  2. Sulev

    Sulev Contributor

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    Don't trim!
    Reduce watering.
    Don't fertilize, before new growth.
    Just wait!
     
  3. Tjwellness

    Tjwellness New Member

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    Thank you so very much! I'll wait... I've reduced the watering, bit it's the monsoon season here and weve received a lot of rain. There has been new growth though, and I'm just anxious.
     

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  4. Tjwellness

    Tjwellness New Member

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    Just updating the progress of my infected lemon plant.

    Should I trim off the leaves that has turned black? - See close up 3rd photo.

    Appreciate all of your advice, please!
     

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  5. Sulev

    Sulev Contributor

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    What would be the purpose of such trimming? Aestetics? Health?
    I duppose, that trimming would cause additional stress. Trees can decide by themselves what leaves to keep and what to drop. Let it be!
     
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  6. Tjwellness

    Tjwellness New Member

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    The leaves drop is due to scales, mealy bugs or some other infestation, and some leaves and branches have turned black. So I'm asking if I should trim the black ones for the overall leaves/plant/tree health. I'm also thinking that it might be detrimental ti the new leaves that have started to grow.

    I am new to growing fruit trees and am hopeful to learn.
     
  7. Sulev

    Sulev Contributor

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    If there is some sort of (fungal, bacterial or viral) infection, then urgent trimming should likely be useful. If this blackening is just an eye sore, then trimming right now might cause additional stress to your already weakened tree.
    I suppose, there isn't any dangerous disease and it is all about just look. I'd wait until plant is showing strong fresh growth and damaged shoots are kind of dry, and trimmed then.
    AFAIK, citruses like relatively dense crown. It should not be pruned for better sun exposure and air flow as thin as for instance figs. When I was young I killed one lemon tree with too much care. The Queen was right about Too Much Love Would Kill, now my citruses are nearly neglected, and they look very happy.
     
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  8. Tjwellness

    Tjwellness New Member

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    Thank you so very much for your kind advice Sulev! I appreciate you!

    Yes, I'll wait for the new growth (in the 2nd photo) to mature better and stronger!
     
  9. Tjwellness

    Tjwellness New Member

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    Hello Everyone,
    Just wanted to give an update on the plight of my lemon plant.

    The weak leaves affected by the infestation and Neen oil treatment has dropped and new growth are seen. See the 3 photos.

    I also include a photo of the only yellowing fruit that was on the tree and I'm I cut off sure if it's edible from the blackened rind.

    I wish to thank anyone in advance for the way moving forward from here.
     

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  10. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

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    What variety of lemon is this? It looks somewhat like a citron (Citrus medica).
     
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  11. Tjwellness

    Tjwellness New Member

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    It's a Lisbon lemon It's a little dried up abs wrinkly because I left it outside the refrigerator for a week thinking I cannot sluce it and put it in my water because if the blackened skin.

    That's how it looked like on the plant before it turn yellow.
     

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