Why citrus leaves curling

Ensure that the lemon tree is not in any direct airflow from air conditioning or forced air. The lemon tree should be in a sunny window with and out the way of air currents. Mist the leaves regularly. Increase the frequency of watering. Lemon tree become habituated to a watering frequency outdoors but their demand for water increases when they are brought indoors which causes the leaves to curl as a sign of stress.

Lemon trees prefer the top two inches of the soil to dry out between bouts of watering in the Winter because of the reduced rate of growth, however lots of heat indoors can drive evaporation and cause the pot to dry out more quickly. Monitor soil moisture regularly and as soon as the top two inches of the soil are dry give the tree a good soak. Give your lemon tree time to acclimate to indoors.

The shock of being moved indoors causes stress to the lemon tree but as long as it is located in a sunny window, watered the according to its conditions and the leaved are sprayed regularly then it should revive.

Over Watering Causes Lemon Tree Leaves to Curl and Droop Lemon trees prefer dryer soil conditions then most fruit trees any are susceptible to over watering which can also cause leaves to curl as a sign of stress.

Lemon tree leaves curl due to over watering and too much moisture around the roots when: Watered too frequently so that the soil is constantly moist. If the soil is damp the leaves tend to curl and turn yellow as a sign of stress. Damp soil also promotes the conditions for fungal diseases such as root rot which can kill the lemon tree.

Slow draining soils. Lemon trees do not grow well in boggy areas or heavy clay that retain lots of water. They naturally grow in well draining soil with a high organic content and perhaps some inorganic material such as grit for improved drainage. Slow draining soils mimic the affects of over watering causing the leaves to curl, turn yellow and risk root rot. Pots with drainage holes in the base. Some decorative pots do not have proper drainage holes in the base which causes the soil to become saturated causing the leaves to curl, turn yellow and potentially drop off as a sign of stress.

Trays underneath pots of indoor lemon trees. Trays under pots prevent excess water escaping the pot and cause the soil to become boggy which causes stress to your lemon tree. Only water your lemon tree when the top two inches of soil is dry. Typically this is about once per week but you should determine how often to water your lemon tree according to your climate, and weather conditions.

Wait till the soil is dry to a fingers depth and then give the lemon tree a generous soak. Lemon tree should be planted in well draining soils. If your tree is in an boggy area then ideally you should transplant it to an area of the garden that is more well draining or the lemon tree is likely to die back. This soil mix replicates the soil conditions of the lemon trees natural environment and provides a good balance of soil nutrients and good drainage.

Potted lemon trees should be grown in pots with good drainage. If your pot does not have drainage holes in the base then transfer to another pot as a matter of urgency as the curling leaves can turn yellow and the plant can die. Trays underneath pots should be emptied of water regularly.

Whilst trays under pots can be important to prevent watering spilling from your indoor lemon tree there should not be watering pooling underneath the pot for long periods. You should start to see improvement in the curling leaves in the following weeks. Nutrient Deficient Soil causes Lemon Tree Leaves Curling Lemon trees are heavy feeders and require regular fertilizer applications in the Spring and Summer to meet their nutritional requirements and to produce the best fruit and flowers.

Or you can use a citrus fertilizer to address the nutrient deficit. Used with the permission of californiacitrusthreat. HLB causes uneven leaf yellowing. Used with permission of californiacitrusthreat. The larvae also roll the edges of citrus leaves around themselves when they pupate.

Mine trails are often easily identifiable. Citrus leafminers tend to cause the most harm to young trees with new leaves. Generally the best way to manage citrus leafminers is to do nothing!

In most causes only the newest leaves are affected, and damage is not usually sufficient to cause much reduction in fruit yield or long-term harm to trees. Click here. Are Your Oranges Ripe? Or Not? Felco pruners are an essential garden tool. After a few minutes, the leaves naturally curled along their length. If the cut branch was placed in a vase filled with water immediately after pruning it off, and it was kept out of harsh sun or strong wind, the leaves would not have curled.

The earlier that action is taken to remedy the situation, the greater the chances of minimising any permanent damage and helping the plant fully recover. If roots have died back for whatever reason, they can be induced to grow back by watering with seaweed extract.

Seaweed extract contains almost every mineral, which helps boost plant health very quickly, and it also contains various hormones which act as growth stimulants for plants. The main hormones in seaweed are auxins , gibbelerins , cytokinins and betaines.

The cytokinins are root growth stimulants which assist in the regrowth of new roots. For root recovery, apply seaweed extract along the canopy dripline, as this is where the majority of feeder roots are located. For general transplanting and planting, the recommended application rate is 30mL of seaweed extract into a 9 litre 2 gallon watering can, applied to the soil at planting time, then again 1 week later.

When dealing with stressed trees, the recommended application rate is mL of seaweed extract into a 9 litre 2 gallon watering can, applied to the soil, around the dripline edge of the canopy of tree. Apply monthly until the tree recovers.

The leaves of your plant will have a distorted or warped look and may feel brittle to the touch. By curling up, the leaves have a hard time taking in sunlight needed for photosynthesis and fruit development. Think of citrus leaf curl as a heist on your citrus trees. It can be caused by any or all of the following:. Citrus canker, lime leaf blotch, and other lime tree diseases cause distortions that can lead to lime tree leaf curl.

Similarly, sick lemon trees will show signs of poor growth through splotchy, dry, or curling leaves. Take a look at some pictures of lemon tree diseases below:. Pests on citrus trees suck the sap from your plant and cause the leaves to curl. Examples of these pests are aphids, mites, psyllids, and the scales on lemon trees. Over time, these pests can cause leaf deformations to appear.

Instead, citrus leafminer larvae burrow into leaf tissues after hatching from their eggs and leave white trails on the leaf surface. Too many tunnels on your citrus leaves, however, can make your plant susceptible to leaf curl and distortion. Drought stress is a common cause of leaf curl. Underwatered citrus plants look lackluster and have a hard time producing fruits.