Citrus Growers Forum

TimShultz · Posted: Mon 05 Apr, 2010 2:54 am

When the majority of a tree's leaves fall off with exception to the leaves at the top of the tree, will the bare trunk and bare limbs grow new leaves? Will the new growth only continue at the top most area of the tree? Thanks, Tim.

Mark_T · Posted: Mon 05 Apr, 2010 5:12 am

If the tree survives, you should get regrowth everywhere.

TimShultz · Posted: Tue 06 Apr, 2010 12:48 am

Thanks! I have pruned my mexican lime tree, the tree which is associated with this question. I now can see a few small growths on the tree so I am now at least hopeful that it will survive. Is there anyway to keep a tree from having too many blossoms? I think this tree had too many blossoms starting from around December; after the blossoms either fell off or started to bear fruit, almost all the leaves fell off the bottom section of the plant after turning a pale yellow in color. Thanks, Tim.

Mark_T · Posted: Tue 06 Apr, 2010 1:18 am

TimShultz wrote:

Thanks! I have pruned my mexican lime tree, the tree which is associated with this question. I now can see a few small growths on the tree so I am now at least hopeful that it will survive. Is there anyway to keep a tree from having too many blossoms? I think this tree had too many blossoms starting from around December; after the blossoms either fell off or started to bear fruit, almost all the leaves fell off the bottom section of the plant after turning a pale yellow in color. Thanks, Tim.

The tree will discard most of it's blossoms no matter what. If they actually start to develope fruit you could thin them at that time. Other than cutting the blossom buds while they develope, I don't think there is anyway to prevent their growth. Blossom developement is a good sign. I bet the leaf loss was due to other factors and not the blossoms, but I'm sure others could chime in.

I'm still learning a lot this stuff as well, but container growing citrus has it's own set of challenges. Are your trees outside now? I would imagine you will have a much easier time once you can move them outside.