so, this is my father’s lemon tree plant.
I’d say we’ve had it for a few years now. the leaves are browning on the ends and it looks really leggy, and never gives new growth anymore. I know that the leaves are like this because it stands right by the window and balcony, and we live in a colder climate. I doubt that there’s drainage in this pot, but my dad gives it, maybe, 0.2-0.7 dl of water every weekend, when he’s home.
do you think anything specific could be causing this? my dad really loves this tree, so any tips and advice would be appreciated
by cherrycokedream
4 Comments
The soil looks to compacted. It looks like it hasnt been fertilized for a long time. Lemons can handle long watering periods. Try to add some good fertilizer and loosen the soil.
A few issues.
Browning leaves could be from lack of water, or too much of it. Once a week watering sounds like on the safe side, but, depending on a few factors (amount of water, ambient heat, humidity, amount of sunlight, growing season) could or could not be enough. Start by watering thoroughly once a week and check the soil a few cm below the ground. Water again when it feels dry. Do this a few times until you figure out a proper watering schedule according to your environment.
The pot: You should be using a pot with drainage holes and a saucer underneath (or bigger closed pot on the outside). This will let excess water drain out (if this happens you are watering too much) and prevent root rot. Repot now with some fresh generic potting mix. You can mix in some perlite / pumice / tree bark / succulent soil to make it more airy and prevent root rot.
When repotting (or even if you don’t): expose the root flair. Do you see the humidity marks at the base of the trunk? This is not good for the tree. You should gently dig up soil around the trunk until you reach the upper big roots, they should protrude from the surface of the soil – this keeps the trunk above the soil, protected from pathogens. Google “expose root flair” to better get the idea.
Give the tree a pruning. This will help the tree focus its energy on new growth. You can prune 1/4 of the branches to stimulate healthy growth. Also prune /remove small branches (especially the leafless ones) inside the canopy, especially ones facing inwards. You want the canopy to face outward and receive air and light.
Check the branches for pests and disease. Nothing is showing up from these photos, but since there is some yellowing on some branches check to see if the tree has gummosis – yellow resinous discharge from the trunk. If this is happening at multiple spots the tree has root rot and will need treatment. When repotting as noted earlier check the roots for rot while you’re at it, if they are white then they are healthy.
After you’ve repotted and pruned, let the tree settle for a couple of weeks, figure out it’s watering schedule. Then, give the plant some fertilizer.
Final advice: Keep the plant where it can get maximum sunlight. If you can move it outdoors, do so (gradually, a few hours per day, then keep it outside). Perhaps should have been noted earlier but if that radiator is being turned on, this could also be causing browning leaves. The tree needs good light but the radiator could be damaging the tree.
Is it fungus or salt burn due to salt accumulation in soil do you fertilze a lot if you do it might be salt burn. And do you overwater a lot it could be root roted so create drainage hole in your container. Buy a copper based fungicide and don’t overfertilize if you didn’t fertilze ever before then you need to fertilise after the plant gets a little healthier.
So create a drainage hole or never overwater again might be root rot and also fungul attack foliar spray a copper based fungicide and you can add a little bit of that mix into the soil too.