another

I did just trip the dead off before i took these pics.

How are you watering and feeding? I have a Cara Cara and it's been a beast growing from 3' to about 12' in 5 Yrs. I would be concerned about your tree burning in this heat without any leaves to shade it.

Shade it with shade cloth with a minimum light blocking rate of 50%. ASAP.

Yes, put up a screen over it ASAP!

I'd suggest adding a 3 - 4 inch layer of organic mulch in the watering basin. Just don't pile it up against the trunk. It will slow evaporation and keep the soil cool.

Also, check your trunk wrap to make sure there is good air circulation. Loosen the wrap if necessary.

I also have a small blood orange tree, but mine is in a big clay pot. It's sulking.

V8, I'm amazed your grew that well. I've read mixed reviews on their success here.

Ugh, sorry to see this. You've gotten some great suggestions for helping it. Honestly, if it was mine, I'd rip it out, leave the spot alone all summer and replant in mid-autumn and try again. Let us know what you do and how it works out.

I've grew 'Cara Cara' orange at my last garden here in Scottsdale and it did great (and still is the current owner tells me), and now I've got a small 'Moro' blood orange that's made a ton of growth in 2.5 years now in my current Scottsdale garden, so they can thrive here, but maybe yours has just had a couple streaks of bad luck. I'd cut my losses with this particular one, but maybe you're more tender hearted!

Let us know what you do and how it works out. Good luck, and happy gardening!

Take care,
Grant

Rich, this tree was my first & only citrus tree . It was also an "impulse buy" that I bought at Lowe's not knowing anything about citrus trees. I'm shocked how well it all worked out everytime I look at it.