When replacing a pool, I used some of the water to deep water my lemon, orange, and grapefruit trees. The water had no chlorine and the PH was 7.4 (similar to tap water), but the alkalinity was 200ml. The lemon has dropped most of it's leaves, and the grapefruit is doing the same. The orange isn't dropping an excessive amount (yet), but one branch has the leaves all curled (the branch also has many blossoms). My question is again - overwatering or high alkalinity? Also, what can I do to make it better for the trees? Thanks.
Unfortunately, the damage is probably a little of both aspects. 7.4 is quite high for most plants, but for citrus this is very high.
Both, bringing down the pH and binding out some of that sodium is possible using citric acid to precipitate out much of that. It can be done with large amounts of water, but if you choose to do this instead- Be sure to allow it to dry out between flushing. If not, you risk rotting roots due to soil stagnation.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/raise-acid-level-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/what-is-fertilizer-burn.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/sodium-in-plants.htm
An interesting fact to complicate matters - our normal tap water is a ph ~7.8 and an alkalinity ~100. I always deep water and fertilize (Vigero Citrus) together. Should I be adding something else when I do that to overcome the ph/alkalinity of the water?
potted lemon & lime in Promix using water soluble fertilizer for acid-loving plants, west unobstructed window, not pot-bound but still look chlorotic
Too much phosphorus can prevent iron uptake. Use your acid loving fertilizer at 1/2 strength or you may want to try a fertilizer made especially for citrus trees.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/leaf-chlorosis-and-iron.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/citrus/fertilizing-citrus-trees-best-practices-for-citrus-fertilizing.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/citrus/growing-citrus-trees-indoors.htm
For the last few days, the leaves on my potted citrus trees are looking like scorched. I have these trees for over 10 years and never have any issues with them. All of them have the same issue. Pictures are attached for identifying the problem. Any help will be appreciated. Need to save them ASAP. Thanks.
If this time in container didn't include root pruning, then it may be time to do so. That, or pot up the next size. It may be cramped up and fighting itself for room and nutrients.
To be sure, I would treat with a fungicide, and pot up if you are able to.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
Thanks BushDoctor.
I did add citrus fertilizer and compost and pot-up this spring. They were all repotted last year. There were tons of flowers but they all fell down.
I used Neem oil as preventive measure. Will definitely try some fungicide.
My citrus tree has started to leaf drop, small fruit, and yellowing of leaves. Any help to ID and recommend a remedy is appreciated
If the tree is not fertilized on schedule, then this is likely the issue. This article will help you to know when and how to feed the tree:
I have 4 newly planted citrus trees in my backyard. The two orange trees are doing well and have dark green foliage. The lime tree however is struggling with yellowing leaves all over. (Not just new growth and not with green veins- the whole leaf is uniformly yellow) They all get 10+ hours of sunlight in summer and are watered deeply once a week. Have used Dr Earth Fruit tree fertilizer for all of them. All of them are only a slight slope, it’s possible the lime tree has slightly steeper slope but not by much. Any suggestions appreciated.
This could be related to uneven watering from the slope, but I think that the most likely situation could have been root damage at planting or soils that remain too moist. Sometimes this happens no matter how careful you are.
Proper care will be all that you can do from here. You could try a root stimulator to help boost recovery, but it won't guarantee anything.
Make sure that watering is done when the soil is completely dry down to about 4 to 6 inches for these trees. Most of the time, this is once a week. Sometimes, if the soil is too moist between watering, it will suffocate the roots.
This collection of articles will help:
My citrus trees were normal before, and I don't know what happened. please help
It sounds like your soil is heavy clay based. This will need to be amended. Since the trees are already established, this might be a little more difficult.
Adding good composted mulch and, either, putting earthworms or other creatures that improve soil.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/improve-soil-with-native-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/how-to-condition-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/plants-that-improve-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/how-to-improve-clay-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/improving-compacted-soil.htm
There is an olive, lemon, pear bush lemon and qumquat. We live in South Burnett area Qld.
These articles should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/fegen/fruit-tree-pruning.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/fegen/rejuvenating-old-fruit-trees.htm