Ed Gohlich
The only place you want to see yellow on a lemon tree is on the fruit.
If your lemon trees leaves are turning yellow, its a sign the plant has problems.
Yellowing leaves are usually a sign of nutritional deficiencies orwatering errors, but other issues can also cause problems.
Credit:Ed Gohlich
Too Much Water
Like all plants, lemon trees need the right amount of water to thrive.
The tree is drowning and starving, causing the leaves to turn yellow.
Heavy or clay soil can hasten root rot because it holds water on the roots.
If your lemon tree is in the ground and overwatered, let the soil dry out completely.
Then, water less often.
Commercial potting mixes formulated for citrus plants are ideal.
Lemon trees are especially thirsty, needing more water than most citrus trees.
For mature trees, you’ve got the option to water as little as once a week.
To figure out when your lemon tree needs water, poke your finger into the soil beneath the tree.
If the top 2 inches are dry, it’s time to water.
Ideally, you should let the top few inches of soil dry out in between waterings.
Asoil moisture metercan help you water your lemon tree correctly.
The soil should be moist 8 to 12 inches below the surface.
Once you know how often your lemon tree needs watering, establish a regular schedule and stick to it.
Lack of Nutrients
Like all plants, lemons need good nutrition to be healthy.
it’s possible for you to correct most nutrient problems with a balanced fertilizer formulated for citrus plants.
Lemon trees are heavy feeders; you must fertilize them often to keep them healthy.
Give lemon trees planted in the groundnitrogen fertilizerin late winter before they bloom.
Fertilize again in spring after they bloom and a third time in summer after you pick the lemons.
Forlemon trees grown in containers, apply a small amount of nitrogen fertilizer at regular intervals throughout the year.
Soil pH Problems
Lemon trees prefer a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
Do anat-home soil pH testto see if your soil is in the optimal range for your lemon tree.
If its higher than 7.0, use a commercially prepared soil acidifier to lower the pH quickly.
If its lower than 5, mixlimeor dolomite into the soil to raise the pH.
If your lemon tree grows in a container, repot it with fresh potting medium formulated for citrus trees.
The beauty of container gardening is you have a lot more control over the soil.
If its less than ideal, toss it and replace it with better soil.
If you see signs of pests, treat the plant immediately with insecticidal soap.
When the bugs are left untreated, the leaves fall off the plant.
Lemon trees are sun worshippers that need eight hours offull sundaily to thrive.
If the tree is immature, dig it up and move it to a sunnier spot.
If its too big to move, trim the trees blocking its light.
If your lemon tree is in a container, move it to a sunnier spot.
If your lemon tree is in a container, bring it inside on cold nights to keep it warm.
you’ve got the option to overwinter it for months indoors.
Old leaves drop off to free up the trees energy to grow new ones.
The change in light from those seasonal rotations stresses the tree for a short period.
Dont worry; this leaf drop is natural.
Just keep feeding and watering the lemon tree as usual, and it will transition to its new conditions.
