Reasons and Solutions for Leaf Drop in Potted Lemon Trees

  Growing some plants at home not only beautifies the environment but also brings great joy. Watering the plants every day is a kind of enjoyment. Nowadays many people grow small lemons in pots at home, but lemon trees sometimes run into problems, such as leaf drop. So do you know why potted lemon trees lose their leaves? What should you do about leaf drop in potted lemon trees? Below, the editor introduces the reasons and solutions for leaf drop in lemon trees:

  1. A newly purchased potted plant "faints"

  Experienced gardeners know that many newly planted flowers "faint" once, just to different degrees. If the leaves of the lemon tree you bought fall off as soon as your hand touches them, there is no need to worry, because this is the plant's survival instinct, just a false death. Of course, if the leaves dry up and turn scorched yellow without falling off, then things are probably really not good.

  2. Overwatering and soil alkalinization

  Too much watering, and the soil may be somewhat compacted and not breathable. Water less appropriately and loosen the soil. If you are in the north, the soil may be highly alkaline, so you can apply a suitable amount of ferrous sulfate to increase acidity (ask a flower shop for the specific ratio to water). Pay attention to changing the soil, and when watering, be careful not to let water accumulate. Water only after the potting soil has dried out completely, and spray more water on the leaves and trunk to stimulate growth.

  3. Root rot causing leaf drop

  Root rot is often caused by too much water accumulating in the pot or by applying fertilizer that is too concentrated. Remember to remove the flower buds, cut away the rotten roots, and afterward pay attention to drainage. If too much of the root system has rotted, the plant most likely cannot be saved.

  4. Spider mite damage

  Check whether the lemon tree is affected by spider mites, and if so, remember to spray pesticide. Before spraying, clean up all the fallen yellow leaves in the lemon tree's pot, loosen the soil frequently, and place the potted lemon tree in a spot with ample light.

  [Warm reminder] To prevent leaf drop in potted lemon trees from affecting fruiting, in daily management, never water sometimes too much and sometimes too little, and be careful to control fertilizer.

  Tips for caring for potted lemon trees:

  1. After the lemon blooms, in addition to applying a light fertilizer once a week, you must also thin the flowers and fruit. Before the flowers open, first thin out some of the flower buds; after the flowers fade and the fruit sets, to reduce nutrient consumption, thin out some young fruits in unsuitable positions.

  2. During the fruit's growth period, if there is sufficient fertilizer and water and the plant's nutritional condition is good, some branches will sprout new shoots. The growth of new shoots will inevitably divert some nutrients and affect the fruit's growth. To protect the fruit, promptly remove the new shoots that grow out.

  3. When the fruit turns yellow and ripe, stop fertilizing and reduce watering, keeping the soil moist and slightly on the dry side. If you continue to provide too much fertilizer and water, the fruit will mature early and drop early, shortening the ornamental period.

  4. Lemons like fertilizer, so usually apply more light fertilizer. Apply decomposed liquid fertilizer once before the plant buds, and afterward apply a nitrogen-based liquid fertilizer once every 7~10 days to encourage more branches and leaves and more spring shoots.

  5. After each pinching, fertilize promptly to encourage the branches to mature early. During the lemon's growth period, you can scatter some cake fertilizer on the surface of the pot so that each watering lets some fertilizer seep into the soil and enhances fertility. After autumn begins, reduce fertilizing to avoid excessive plant nutrition and the promotion of autumn shoots, which compete with the fruit for nutrients and cause fruit drop.

  6. Because potted lemons have little potting soil, the nutrient supply is very limited. After many years, the soil's fertility becomes deficient, and the lemon will weaken year by year, blooming little and bearing little fruit. To keep the lemon blooming and fruiting year after year, you must repot it.

  7. The best time to repot is half a month before the lemon buds. After repotting, place it in a ventilated, semi-shaded spot, and after a week put it back in its original place for routine care.