Re: My lemon tree please help

julie-in-oz2 · ‎31-03-2014

Hi,

Any gardeners about?

I have just purchased my first lemon tree and my husband planted it two weeks ago. It is a mayer dwarf lemon tree and the shrub is looking good except for something seems to be eating it. I sprayed white oil top and bottom of the leaves.

What else do I need to do please?

Thanks in advance.

j*oono · ‎31-03-2014

I can't help but I am interested in any advice. I also bought a dwarf Mayer lemon a few weeks back. I have mine in a pot.

It supposedly grows a good crop of normal sized lemons on a miniature tree which I think is great for planting in a pot. Mine already has a lemon on it (it was there when I planted it) but has yet to change colour. Maybe that one will be no good because of the disturbance.

Edit for typo

Joono

freddie*rooster · ‎31-03-2014

Looks like a big green caterpiller grub, search each leaf top and bottom.

freddie*rooster · ‎31-03-2014

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/lemon-tree-caterpillar-30008.html

imastawka · ‎31-03-2014

Your lemon tree looks fine to me. The white oil should fix any problems.

I wouldn't lose sleep over it, All lemon trees bounce with the punches.

The leaves just look like normal wear and tear for a lemon.

But like joono said, it's a dwarf and probably should have been planted

in a large tub not in the ground. Don't move it again though, it will go into

shock. Give it a feed and regular watering (not sporadic) and it will love you.

I would like a troooly good gardener to give advice though.

freshwater-2 · ‎31-03-2014

Julie, go out after dark with a torch.

You will find the grub eating the leaves.

By the look of things....it will be fat.

imastawka · ‎31-03-2014

Sorry freddie, those caterpillers are from North America.

Never seen one here

freakiness · ‎31-03-2014

here's some Aussie ones

http://the-riotact.com/caterpillars-monster-my-lemon-tree/41900

julie-in-oz2 · ‎31-03-2014

@j*oono wrote:
I can't help but I am interested in any advice. I also bought a dwarf Mayer lemon a few weeks back. I have mine in a pot.
It supposedly grows a good crop of normal sized lemons on a miniature tree which I think is great for planting in a pot. Mine already has a lemon on it (it was there when I planted it) but has yet to change colour. Maybe that one will be no good because of the disturbance.

Edit for typo

Thanks j*oono. We have our first flower, no lemons yet. Picked one without lemons as we knew we were going to plant it in the garden. Nursery said that would be fine, they do well in pots and in the ground as long as well drained. It is a bit exciting isn't it waiting for lemons lol.

Just want to get rid of this muncher before my lemons arrive.

imastawka · ‎31-03-2014

OMFG!! They are truly horrible!!

But I've had Lemon, Lime, Mandarin and Cumquat trees for 35 years and never

seen a caterpillar on any of them. Gall Wasps up to the yazoo, but no caterpillers.