I live in Arizona and have an 11-year-old Tangerine tree which produces a good quantity of fruit each year. However, the past two years the fruit has been very sour. Previously it was fine. Do I need more fertilizer? More water? Any help will be appreciated.
This is likely caused by a nutrient imbalance. I would recommend having the soil tested at your local extension service and adjust the soil based on the results.
My 86-year-old mother has a 30-plus-year-old dwarf tangerine tree in San Lorenzo, CA that started getting a black residue under most of the leaves. It's very hard to rub off and now there's starting to also get a white residue with the black that's very hard to rub off too. The tree seems healthy, leaves are green on top and the fruit is very tasty with no leave drop. What can I do to correct this, or will this work itself out in time and not need anything?
It sounds like the tree has sooty mold, which is actually an indicator of a pest infestation. Many times the pests that cause sooty mold are too small to see, but they can be damaging. I would recommend treating the tree with neem oil. This will treat both the pests and the sooty mold. Here is more information that may help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/how-to-get-rid-of-sooty-mold.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
When and what kind of fertilizer should I use for citrus fruit trees and a pomegranate tree?
This article should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/citrus/fertilizing-citrus-trees-best-practices-for-citrus-fertilizing.htm
We have a Ponkan tree that we planted when it was about a year old. It grew just fine until this past winter when the temps were at record lows. Now, in March, our little tree is leafless and the branches appear dead. However, there are a few green buds coming out of the trunk about two inches from the ground. Do you think this means the tree is okay? Is there anything we can do? Perhaps trim off all the branches?
If you see green buds, this means that the tree is still alive and can recover, though it may take some time. I would not do anything just yet to the tree. Give it some time and see if perhaps some of the higher branches have also survived. After a month of so, you can trim away branches that have not shown any signs of life.
I have just been given a dwarf Algerian tangerine in a container. In March when I got it, it had lots of fruit (which we used). Now the leaves are turning brown and falling off. Is it dying? What can I do to fix this problem?
This is likely a watering problem. Make sure that the plant stays consistently watered. Do not let it dry out. This article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/citrus/tip-on-water-requirements-for-citrus-trees.htm
How do I take care of a tangerina tree?
This article will help you with that:
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/mandarin_orange.html
I live in Santa Clarita, California. I bought a Satsuma Tangerine semi dwarf tree last summer. I planted it in a whiskey barrel planter with plenty of drainage. It had a lot of blooms this spring that fruited. However, the fruit recently has begun to yellow and drop off the tree. I water the tree with a deep soaking once a week. I would like to find out if there is a problem that needs to be addressed or is the tree to young to ripen fruit.
Hi, regarding your Tangerine tree problem, best thing to do is get a chainsaw and chop the withered old crinkly thing down, that'll probably sort it out. Alternatively you could use an organic liquid fish fertilizer, such as those made from naturally fortified 100% pure catfish protein.