Hello everyone

I'm new to the site and have been growing Citrus for about 18 months with varying success. I hoping to share experiences and try and get some useful advice.

Here is a problem I have with a Tahiti Lime:-

I have a 3ft Lime tree (bush)that since the heavy rain started last Thurs/Friday has suddenly started dropping leaves - Approx 20 so far.

This has made the main branches/truck more visible and these seem to have a brownish tinge to them instead of green, however when I scrapped one with my finger nail it was still green underneath. Some of the smaller twig branches off these have also got some brown on them.

This is worrying me as last year I lost a Lime that showed similar symptoms and could only put it down to over watering.

So with this lime a lot of care has been taken not to do this. The tree has got quite a lot of blossom on it, some of it fairly new and some small fruits from last year. There was a little new growth a month ago.

The middle small bottom branches are now fairly bare. There is no sign of disease, feeding and watering doesn't seem to be a factor and the tree has been kept in a lean to greehouse above 4 degrees all winter. It's been ventilated as much as temperatures will allow.

Has anyone got any ideas if the tree has problems or is about to be lost - should I be worried - what should be done.

Thanks

I would be worried that its too cold... esspecially the roots. If you continue losing leaves, may be worth to bring inside, keep well warmed... root zone and upper. they work together, if one is off, it will effect the other. if theres no improvement, I would unpot and check the roots for damage.

When roots of citrus trees go below 55 F (13 C) they are unable to take up water--that is not a problem unless the leaves need to be cooled like when they are exposed to direct sunlight.

You have 2 options--warm the roots to at least 60 F or keep the leaves from being exposed to direct light.

To warm the roots many people use a string of xmas lights wrapped around the pot (even the small lights will work).

You can use shade cloth or burlap to reduce the light getting to the tree in your greenhouse.

Cdoc

I notice similar leaf loss in my key lime--about four-five feet (planted a year ago) It came on fast, this week. It hasn't been very cold here in SW Fla.I also noticed immediate new leaf growth replacing the fallen leaves. Is this normal or the sign of something dreadful?