Same disease/pests affecting Meyers lemon and bay trees?

11 years ago

Last week, I picked up a healthy, mature bay tree in a container from another gardener. I have no idea what kind of soil it's in, but it was extremely full and healthy. It's kept in the front of the house.

Yesterday, I noticed that some of the by leaves had yellow spots (more like a yellowish discoloration in the middle of the leaf), and some of the leaves were black. It was almost as if the leaves had first turned yellow and then black. I pruned out all the diseased parts.

Today, I saw that the dwarf Meyer lemon I purchased about a month ago, situated on the other side of the house, is having similar issues. About 5 of the leaves have the exact same yellowish discoloration. I pulled them out. I saw no black leaves.

What could be causing this? I couldn't take a picture due to rain, and all the diseased leaves have been thrown away.

I carefully studied the Meyer lemon, which is in Al's gritty mix, and all I could see was a spider.

I'm assuming both problems were caused by the same source, since the yellowish discoloration was exactly the same on both plants. Thanks for your help!

Comments (6)

johnmerr
11 years ago
When you hear hoof beats, you naturally think horses; but it could be zebras!

The two might not be connected at all; the yellow coloration of your Meyer is more likely the result of a change in light conditions. If you can post pictures, we could give you much better answers.
ssmdgardener
Original Author
11 years ago
I wish I'd taken pictures! I was so freaked out by the possibility of contagion that I threw the diseased leaves away.

Previously, some of the lemon tree leaves had yellowed due to changing light conditions, and that looked totally different. When it was light-related, the entire leaf turned sort of a pale shade of green/yellow.

This discoloration was more like... more light brown then yellow. And instead of the entire leaf turning a pale color, it was more like a part of the leaf had turned a strange "dead-looking" shade of light brown.

I'm hoping it doesn't return, but just in case it does, I'll take a picture and post it.

Any ideas on what that brown/black spots on the bay leaf could be?
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johnmerr
11 years ago
My expertise is pretty much limited to Meyer lemons. Try asking your question on the "Trees" forum; they will also ask you to post pix; but someone in your area might have the same issue and have the answer without photos. Is your tree a Lauris Nobilis? Also, it is always valuable to know where you are located.
JeanHerreman123
10 years ago
Do these leaves look anything like yours? My tree was loaded with blossoms and now is loaded with developing lemons, but I have a few of these leaves. Should I be worried? What should I do?
ssmdgardener
Original Author
10 years ago
Jean, you may want to make your own post so it gets more exposure.

The lemon recovered, but about half of the bay leaves continued to brown. I still don't know what happened to it.
Maria Elena (Caribbean - USDA Zone 13a)
8 years ago
I just posted similar pictures for a gardenia, planted next to a bay tree. I hope you don't mind my posting here but the bay tree is a common denominator. Please take a look at that post. It looks similar and I think I see a borer on the underside of my leaf which, unfortunately, I did not see at all when I took the picture. I'll investigate further tomorrow.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/3721124/whats-killing-this-gardenia