Hi!

I realize that this issue, most likely, has been discussed many times already... I would like to ask for the expert's opinion and experience.

After a series of freezing nights, my one-two year-old tiny citrus trees are left with no leaves and most of the twigs and some (hopefully, not all) branches slowly dying back. If I understand correctly, there is pretty much nothing that can be done about this except for wait and hope... assuming that freezes are over for this year.

I also read somewhere that it is advised to whitewash the trunk and branches to prevent sun burns. So, what is your opinion/experience with whitewashing? Is there anything else that can be done (except for providing plenty of water and holding on the fertilizer) to expedite freeze rehabilitation?

Thank you!!

Leafless trees need to photosynthesize thru the remaining green twigs and branches, you may not want to reduce that ability by a heavy whitewash.

A light Copper oxy chloride spray can be used after cold damage. It acts like a "whitewash", and seals damaged tissue against microbes feeding on the damage and is also anti-microbial. Freeze damage is the physical rupturing of the plant cells, this allows further attack by microbes, which worsen the dieback.

Pagnr and Mrtexas,
thank you very much for your suggestions! Guess, I will wash off excess of white stuff and wait/hope for new leaves.

Mrtexas, my potted seedlings are dropping some leaves too, which is fine since they already start new growth. Inground ones are different - they look sad. Hopefully, this winter is over. Btw, did you remove soil banks already?

Thank you again!

Mrtexs,

Thank you! Let us wait for a few more weeks.