41 years of excellent growth and orange harvest has dwindled over the past 2 years. I have re-potted,fertilized, and neemed but the tree has continued to diminish. Curled leaves with brown/black spots continue. What can I do to save it?
It sounds like your tree has either an insect problem or a fungus. These three articles explain the different kinds of problems associated with orange trees and what you can do to treat them. You should scan these articles and see what most closely describes what you're dealing with.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/oranges/leaf-curl-in-orange-trees.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/oranges/yellowing-orange-tree-leaves.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/citrus/greasy-spot-fungus.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/calamondins/growing-calamondin-trees.htm
I have small green fruits so I thinned them out to give it more chance to grow good fruit. Doing well here in Virginia, however will soon be time to bring it indoors. My main question is that it has now started to produce small white flowers - does this mean it will produce more fruit? When will it go into dormancy.
It's possible your calamondin tree will continue to produce fruit throughout the winter. Here are a couple articles that may be helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/calamondins/growing-calamondin-trees.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/citrus/growing-citrus-trees-indoors.htm
We've had this calamondin for three years. Up until late this past summer it was growing well and bearing a lot of fruit. Then there was a lot of leaf drop (about 75-80%) and then branches started dying back. The branches that didn't die grew new leaves that seem to be doing okay. It bore more fruit, but the fruit never quite ripened, turned squishy before turning orange. What are my best options for nursing this back? Any suggestions as to cause? During the summer it is sited outside and gets sun for a few hours late in the afternoon. Brought inside for winter when nighttime temps hit about 50F. Thanks!
I suspect a couple of issues.
If this is not fertilized, regularly, then this will be a good portion of the problem. Citrus fertilizer that is meant for the purpose will be best, but you can build your own citrus fertilizer if you are well familiar with the requirements.
The next problem that I suspect will be root rot. This is common with citrus, especially, when overwatered during their semi-dormant state.
Fungicides, citrus fertilizer, and proper watering and pruning will bring this back to health!
Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/calamondins/growing-calamondin-trees.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-moisture-in-plants.htm
Great information - thank you so much for the advice!
No luck. Bought about 4 plants already. Wont survive winter. On picture shows top of plant just died. It was already above 40 degrees for more than a week 2 months ago. From about 8 feet,4 ft wide. I trimmed it to about 5 feet to get it in and out of my house easier. It suddenly froze for a few day. That why it looked like that.(I will trim it again). I know there new ones sprouting out. That why I want to start from the cutting. Please advice.
You will have to take it inside during the winter. These articles should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/calamondins/growing-calamondin-trees.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/planting-trees-from-twigs.htm
The little green fruits have not grown at all. The tree continues to produce flowers and after more tiny green balls but they stay the same size
It is going to take around 9 months so. There won't be much of a difference in 4 weeks, unfortunately. Make sure to feed with a citrus fertilizer. Here are some articles that will help you with the care of the tree:
This is the first ripe fruit taken from our calamondin tree. The tree is in a pot and has been outside all spring/summer (zone 8A). The one fruit has a soft discolored base, clearly not healthy I suspect. The fruit just reached a full orange color, did I wait too long to remove it from the tree?
I notice signs of multiple nutrient deficiencies. Calcium is lacking, for sure, but I could say that sulfur and nitrogen were lacking, as well.
Citrus are, somewhat, heavy feeders. I would feed them with a citrus fertilizer pretty often. This article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/calamondins/growing-calamondin-trees.htm
This is a 56 year old tree and I am thinking about drenching the trunk and the sap area with copper fungicide. I can’t take it outside now because I live in Maryland and the temperature is low now. I don’t know what else to do. Any ideas?
The lifespan of any citrus tree will not, typically, exceed 50 years. Yours has done so. This is something to be proud of!
With this being said... Your tree is on its way out. If this is in danger of injuring anything or anyone as it falls apart, then you may consider having it removed, professionally. Otherwise, let it continue to fall apart for the remainder of its lifespan.
This article will offer more information on the care of the tree:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/calamondins/growing-calamondin-trees.htm