When life doesn’t give you lemons – it probably means there’s something wrong with your lemon tree! Andrew’s producer Tania has a sickly tree with yellow curling leaves and dying lemons – and to add insult to injury there’s a lime tree right next to it going gangbusters. So what’s the problem? Time to do some detective work. 

If you’re having problems with your lemon tree, here are some tips, in:

THE CASE OF THE LEMON TREE GONE SOUR

•          It might be hungry – citrus trees are gross feeders, and a lack of nutrients like nitrogen and magnesium can cause yellowing leaves. Remove any grass growing around the drip line as it may be competing with the lemon tree. Feed with a good quality citrus fertiliser in spring and summer, but this time of year you can give it a dose of Seasol plant tonic (a good overall health treatment), or Yellow Leaf Remedy for magnesium deficiency.
•          How soggy is the ground? Lemon trees hate poor drainage, and this could most definitely cause yellowing leaves, leave drop and death.  Shift the tree to a better spot with lots of sun, shelter and free draining soil.
•          Check the trunk and the branches – if you see splits in the bark or stuff oozing from the branches, it could be collar rot which is caused by a fungus in the soil. Poor drainage is the villain again. Cut back the infected wood, spray with an anti-fungal spray and keep the base clear of grass and foliage.
•          Phytophthora root rot is a really common reason for yellowing leaves and plant death – it loves moisture and warm temperatures, and there has certainly been plenty of both lately. This is likely what’s attacking Tania’s lemon. Try Yates Anti-Rot fungicide, feed with Seasol, ensure good drainage and keep mulch away from the trunk.
•          Check the trunk and branches for any holes or cobwebby sawdust – a sure sign your tree has a resident lemon tree borer grub or two. Poke wire into the holes or inject with a no-borer insecticide, and prune off dead branches on the next dry day.
•          Once a tree gets sick, everything races in to have a crack – keep an on eye on your ailing tree for insect attacks and disease and treat accordingly.