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- Q.My Little Kaffir Lime Tree Isn’t Doing Well - It's about half a foot high, it was grown from a cutting of a big tree (around a year old). ...
- Q.Why My Kaffir Lime Dropping Leaves? Why Does The Leaf Has Browning Edges? - Lime plant brought indoor November 1st. Water once a week, soil kept moist using moisture meter. When brought indoor it ...
- Q.I Gave A Kaffir Lime Tree That Has Had Its Bark Removed Or Fallen Off. - We do have a possum that could be the problem is there a fix to save the tree.
Asked by
Anonymous on
May 4, 2024Q.My Little Kaffir Lime Tree Isn’t Doing Well
It's about half a foot high, it was grown from a cutting of a big tree (around a year old). Recently it's been dropping leaves like hot potatoes, and I know it's not supposed to be doing that. Even the tiny ones are falling. I thought it was a water problem (soil felt dry), so I gave it maybe a cup of water two days ago and since then it's dropped about four more leaves. It doesn't even have that many in the first place, so I'm afraid soon it'll be bare. HELP
Answered by
GKH_Susan on
May 6, 2024
Certified ExpertA.It's likely getting too much or too little water. The soil needs to be moist, but let the soil start to dry out between waterings. Also make sure it is getting as much sun as possible. Here are more care tips:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/lime/care-of-your-kaffir-lime-tree.htm
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- Asked by
Anonymous on
January 27, 2025Q.Why My Kaffir Lime Dropping Leaves? Why Does The Leaf Has Browning Edges?
Lime plant brought indoor November 1st. Water once a week, soil kept moist using moisture meter. When brought indoor it has full foliage. Some leaves turned brown from the edge inward and started dropping the top part of the leaf, then the second part of the leaf dropped a few days later. At the same time, new sprouts came out but the new sprouts started to brown and the new leaves are very thin and light yellowish green. The older leaves all dropped of. Now, the new leaves from the new sprouts are starting to drop too. The bare branches are browning and dried out from the top. The lime is indoor with 10 to 12 hrs of grow light full spectrum. There is a couple new budding shoots at the root but it turned black.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
January 27, 2025
Certified ExpertA.Plants have a tough time acclimating to the indoors after spending time outdoors in bright light and higher humidity. The Kaffir lime needs full sun, so, even though you use a grow light, it should be close to a sunny window. Also, it probably needs more humidity. You can mist it or set it on a pebble tray. These lime trees do like moist soil, but when indoors, it is easy to overwater. Let it begin to dry between waterings. It may not need water every week.
The black budding shoots is concerning. Root rot may have set in. I would repot the plant in fresh soil and a clean container with drainage holes. These articles should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/lime/care-of-your-kaffir-lime-tree.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/what-is-a-pebble-tray.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
June 27, 2025Q.I Gave A Kaffir Lime Tree That Has Had Its Bark Removed Or Fallen Off.
We do have a possum that could be the problem is there a fix to save the tree.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
June 28, 2025
Certified ExpertA.It does look more like animal damage than diseased or natural peeling bark. Possums will eat tree bark in winter and it's very common in Australia. The only thing you can do is prune out dead branches and try to keep the tree as healthy as possible with correct watering, fertilizing and mulching. Prior to winter, you can net the tree to protect it. Since many of branches pictured are chewed all the way around, it basically girdles the tree, preventing nutrient uptake, killing the branch or tree if the trunk is affected.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/lime/care-of-your-kaffir-lime-tree.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/peeling-bark-on-trees.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/citrus/managing-citrus-exocortis-symptoms.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/protecting-trees-from-rodents.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/possum-control.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/possum-control.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/citrus/citrus-psorosis-disease.htm
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