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How to Fix and Prevent Yellow Leaves on Citrus Trees

It’s always a positive indication when you see yellow on a lemon tree. Isn’t yellow the colour of lemons? It’s one thing to see yellow lemons, but what about yellow leaves? The turning yellow of lemon tree leaves is not a good indication. Continue reading to find out why this happens and what you can do about it.

Why Does My Lemon Tree Have Yellow Leaves?

Prevent Yellow Leaves on Citrus Trees

Yellow leaves on lemon trees are a warning sign! They’re not only unattractive, but they might also mean your plant is unwell. We’ll show you why it happens and how to avoid it with a few simple actions in this article.

Causes Of Yellow Leaves On Citrus Trees

Citrus trees are adaptable and thrive in a variety of climates, but there are a variety of issues that might arise with your lemon tree. Here are some of the factors that might cause your luscious greens to become sour yellow:

  • Weather variations
  • Too much or too little water
  • Lack of nutrients
  • Root rot Sunburn Pests or parasites
  • Diseases of the citrus fruit

What Does It Mean When Your Lemon Tree Leaves Are Yellow?

If you’ve seen yellow leaves on your lemon tree, you’ll need to go into diagnostics mode. Citric illnesses in New Zealand, a lack of nutrition, or anything else are all possibilities. Identifying the symptoms is the first step in diagnosing the condition.

All-Over Yellow Leaves On A Lemon Tree

Citrus trees with all-over yellow leaves are a typical problem, but it isn’t without cause. This issue is usually caused by a magnesium shortage. Even if your soil contains enough of magnesium, it may be overly alkaline, which means it isn’t in the right form for your citrus plants’ roots to absorb.

A yellow leaf cure from your local garden shop might help you solve this problem. Epsom salts combined with water in the form of a foliar spray may also be helpful. It’s important not to overdo it, though, because too much magnesium might make the remedy as damaging as the sickness.

Consider applying a citrus-specific fertiliser during the spring and into the autumn if you’re seeking for a longer-term treatment for yellow leaves on your lemon tree. Your local gardening expert may also be able to provide you with some suggestions.

Yellow Leaves In Winter

Have you ever noticed how your leaves become yellow in the winter yet are fine the rest of the year? A nutritional deficit might be indicated by mottled yellow leaves. Feed your citrus plants a citrus fertiliser once spring arrives.

In the winter, it’s preferable not to act. Fertilizer may encourage new growth, which is later killed by frost, snow, and other cold temperatures. If you want to give your trees the greatest chance of surviving the winter, feed them lime and gypsum to boost their nutrition and the beauty of their leaves.

Dehydrated Leaves

One of the most prevalent causes of yellow leaves on citrus trees is a lack of nutrients, but it isn’t the only one. Mites are sometimes to fault, especially in hot and dry weather. Check the underside of the leaves if you suspect a mite infestation owing to the presence of dried leaves. You could observe a few mites scurrying around, appearing to be unconcerned.

Prepare a soap-based spray rather than allowing them to create additional havoc. When the weather is colder, spray it on both sides of the leaves in the morning and evening. If the mites resurface, keep an eye on the tree and treat it every two weeks.

There are several insects that may attempt to destroy your trees. You may be able to avert more damage if you are more aggressive.

Veiny, Pale Leaves

Do your citrus tree’s leaves have strange-looking green veins and are light green, white, or yellow in colour? This might indicate that your soil is overly alkaline, preventing your tree roots from absorbing iron. Pick some iron chelates from your local garden centre. These provide as a liquid source of nutrition for the foliage.

A shortage of iron isn’t the only reason why your citrus tree’s leaves appear strange. A zinc shortage may be to fault in some cases. However, you may note that the leaves are thin, as well as pale and veiny. If you have a zinc shortage, citrus fertiliser might help.

General Citrus Tree Care

Citrus trees are fantastic trees to have, whether you planted them yourself or acquired them as part of a property acquisition. They provide beauty to your yard, provide cover, and produce delicious, refreshing fruit.

You must, however, keep them in good form to guarantee that they continue to provide these valuable services. Prune them at the proper time of year, give them the nutrients they require, and make sure they have plenty of sunlight and good soil.

If you’re not sure how to keep your lemon trees as healthy as possible, reach out to landscaping, gardening, and lawn care professionals around the country for assistance.

Balance Temperature

Seasonal fluctuations might cause your citrus leaves to turn yellow and stress them out. Lemon trees thrive in the summer, but they might get dehydrated if the weather is too hot. In addition, if it is too cold in the winter, the leaves might become brittle and frost-damaged. As a result, depending on the environment, you might try to balance the temperature by giving shade or removing it when you notice leaves curling.

Proper Drainage

Root rot can be caused by stagnant water trapped inside the soil. Make sure there are enough holes for effective water drainage if your plants are in pots. When the roots outgrow the size of their pots, they might rot. If your lemon tree is outgrowing its current container, consider relocating it to a larger one.

Prune And Trim

Citrus trees benefit from trimming on a regular basis to improve ventilation, photosynthesis, and growth. Bugs can be discouraged from climbing onto the tree using techniques such as topping and skirting. Your tree will be more susceptible to disease transmission through the soil and other contaminated leaves if it is not trimmed.

Throw Shade

The sun is good for lemon trees, but there is such a thing as too much of it. Excessive sun exposure will cause the leaves to bleach and fade over time. When it’s too hot outside, give your plants some shade to protect them from sunburn. By spraying white latex on the tree’s bark, some farmers employ the whitewashing procedure to function as a sunscreen.

If You See Yellow, Don’t Panic!

Keep a calm demeanour the next time you see yellow. Although it may appear alarming at first, everything should be alright. The whitening of the foliage is simply a warning indication that your lemon tree requires a little more help! Simply remember to follow our helpful hints, and you’ll be seeing green again in no time!

Insect Parasites

Lemons are not only adored by people, but also by insects and mites. Sap-sucking insects can harm leaves to the point that yellow spots appear on them, which can ultimately grow together to form enormous yellow patches. Examine the undersides of the leaves and stems for the parasite in question. Scale and mealybugs (which typically have waxy coats) may require chemical treatment or horticultural oil, depending on the season. Mites, which are technically arachnids rather than insects, are easy to kill with a soap-based miticide.

Note: Any chemical-use advice are provided solely for educational reasons. Organic techniques are safer and more ecologically friendly, thus chemical control should only be employed as a last option.