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Diseased indoor Lemon tree?
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Posted by brijohnson NJ (My Page) on Thu, Feb 9, 12 at 19:02
| Hello,
I recently purchased a lemon tree at christmas time, so I have only had it for 2 months. Unfortunately I am noticing it is not looking so good.
*lemons have brown discolorations
*leaves are falling off and twisting and contorting
*Moss at bottom of plant is turning brown
*leaves are getting holes in them.
Can anyone recommend what the problem is and a solution? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
I took a few photos of the tree here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brijohnsonphotography/ |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Diseased indoor Lemon tree?
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First... Never, EVER buy a tree from this seller again.
The "moss" at the bottom is something they threw on there to sell you the tree; take it off and throw it away.
Second, take off the fruit; if the juice tastes okay, use it.
Third, give the plant some water; it needs almost a leaching, as the irreputable seller has overfed it to make it "pretty"; be sure the water drains out the bottom.
The leaves are suffering, and many will fall off, because you have drastically altered the light conditions of the plant without any "warning" to the plant.
The good news... you are about to be rescued by the arrival of Spring. As soon as you can, start to put the tree outside; even a few hours per day... start with shade, later move it to partial shade; and when it is warm enough to leave outside, put it in full or near full sun.
Have faith, the tree will survive...with your care and attention. |
RE: Diseased indoor Lemon tree?
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| Thank you for your help Johnmerr. You do not think the tree has spider mites or leaf spot disease? (these are just a few problems I have found on the internet so far.) And even though the soil is still moist I should over water it? Sorry this is my first lemon tree/tree of any kind. |
RE: Diseased indoor Lemon tree?
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| I also took a few more photos as i dicovered under the decorative moss there are centipede looking things. Could these be killing the tree? http://www.flickr.com/photos/brijohnsonphotography/ |
Here is a link that might be useful: Lemon Tree Photos
RE: Diseased indoor Lemon tree?
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Wow!! Unbelievable what some sellers will deliver.
Okay, to some this might seem drastic; but if it were my tree I would dash out to the store and get some Bayer Imidacloprid; with that I would spray the tree and also apply it to the soil. Those creepy crawly critters are probably root eaters; and killing the roots will certainly kill the tree. Anyway, the Imidacloprid will kill what's on the leaves and in the soil and then will enter the plant to act as a systemic. As for watering, maybe you can wait for the leaching until you can put it outside in the Spring; then you can begin a regular feeding regimen. |
RE: Diseased indoor Lemon tree?
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| Hey Josh, hopoing all is well across the pond:-) If you coose to flush the soil out as John says, make sure you do it once your mix has dried out. That moss was harboring insects and I wouldn't be surprised if those marks on your tree were thrip and spider mite damage.
Take it off A.S.A.P
In either case, if it were my tree, I would spray a good horticultural oil or insecticdal soap and cover every area of your tree, under and on top of the leaves including all crevices. I would then transplant that tree right out of that mix into something fresh and fast draining. I would also clean or sterilize that pot, or better yet, use a new one as quick as possible. I would also clean that growing space area. This time of the year it would be ok for our area since the sun is still very weak. I would put it right back in its spot it is use too and wait it out until spring. Also, I too would pluck all the fruit off. Wow!! Unbelievable is right!! It's gross. Mike |
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