Lemon tree yellowing/curling but well drained

[cruiserandmax]

I have a lemon tree that was planted ~2 years ago.. It was fine for the first year, over the past year it began flowering tremendously and also making tiny green lemons.. As the season became dry I began giving it a healthy watering two times each week.. I started noticing som yellowing/curling and immediately thought I might be over watering it... However the soil all around has very excellent drainage and after a few days will present very dry even down deep.. looking at the leaves- could this be anything else?

 

[Chuck]

I have a lemon tree that was planted ~2 years ago.. It was fine for the first year, over the past year it began flowering tremendously and also making tiny green lemons.. As the season became dry I began giving it a healthy watering two times each week.. I started noticing som yellowing/curling and immediately thought I might be over watering it... However the soil all around has very excellent drainage and after a few days will present very dry even down deep.. looking at the leaves- could this be anything else?

Your tree is in the beginning stage of choloris or yellowing of the leaves. This is caused by a lack of nutrition. When was the last time you fertilized it and with what. Where are you located

 

[cruiserandmax]

It has been maybe 4-5 months since the last fertilize. I forget the exact brand but it was one of the citrus tree fertilizers from home depot. We are in San Francisco. The tree is growing in the spot of a previous lemon tree that was around for ~30 years, grew enormous and produced lemons nearly all year round with almost no input from us besides watering. and fertilizing ~every 6 months. Unfortunately we had a rat problem one year and they chewed off all of the bark around the trunk and the tree died quickly.

This new one has been developing well- what is an optimal fertilizer routine?

Also if this is not from over watering- I think I may go back to two big waterings per week since the soil is completely dry 2-3 days after the water. Does that sound reasonable?

We are not serious gardners at all and were so lucky living fat dumb and happy with the old lemon tree. I appreciate any tips!!

 

[Chuck]

Chlorosis can be from a lack of nitrogen or from a lack of minerals such as iron and manganese. In your case I have to say it is from a lack of some mineral. I recommend the following. Fertilize with a good organic fertilizer such as Espoma and then apply two more products, Iron Chelate and Liquid Humus/Humate per directions. By doing all of this your lemon tree will become fat, dumb, happy and have lots and lots of little lemons hanging around all the time.

 

[cruiserandmax]

I applied some organic fertalizer, and also Iron Chelate and Liquid Humate 1-2 weeks ago and the yellowing on the leaves is already pretty much gone. Thanks for that tip..

However I also tested the soil when moist and it showed my soil pH to be 7. Is that worrisome and is there anything I should do to make it more acidic?

 

[Chuck]

I applied some organic fertalizer, and also Iron Chelate and Liquid Humate 1-2 weeks ago and the yellowing on the leaves is already pretty much gone. Thanks for that tip..

However I also tested the soil when moist and it showed my soil pH to be 7. Is that worrisome and is there anything I should do to make it more acidic?

It is not really worrisome. Lemons prefer a Ph of 5.5-6.5 but 7 is nothing to worry about. What did you test for Ph with?

 

[cruiserandmax]

A cheap dual probe soil tester off Amazon

 

[Chuck]

A cheap dual probe soil tester off Amazon

Then I wouldn't believe anything it reads. Perhaps @oneeye will show you his testers and explain them.