Citrus Growers Forum

newtothis · Joined: 08 Mar 2011 Posts: 2

I recently moved into a house, and one of the first things I did was plant a whole bunch of fruit trees. However, my citrus trees seem to be having some trouble. If you could take a look at these Pictures, and maybe help me with a diagnosis, it'd be greatly appreciated.

Eureka Lemon

Trovita Orange

Oro Blanco Grapefruit

Laaz · Posted: Tue 08 Mar, 2011 7:09 pm

Welcome to the forum. Both caterpillars and grasshoppers will cause damage similar to yours.

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newtothis · Joined: 08 Mar 2011 Posts: 2

Would they be causing those dead spots on the inside of the leaf as well?

David. · Posted: Thu 10 Mar, 2011 1:22 pm

They are not my trees but i would recommend that you clear atleast 1 foot around the little trees to 2 feet , so that there is no grass to compete with. They grow alot quicker in my opinion. Put a lttle fully composted manure around them and alittle fertilizer and it will kick start some new growth. After they are big with so many leaves it wont even look like a problem

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South Texas gardener

weiss613 · Joined: 28 Mar 2009 Posts: 1 Location: Miami, Florida

The spots look like the residual of a spray you applied.
The eaten out area could be from an Orange dog but most likely they are from a Weevil
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/EXOTIC/diaprepescitrus.html[/img]

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Richard Weissman

hoosierquilt · Posted: Wed 30 Mar, 2011 2:15 pm

I agree with Richard. Not sure where you are in the country, but does look like Diaprepes Root Weevil, (link re-posted, as there was some coding attached that rendered the link as incorrect): http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/EXOTIC/diaprepescitrus.html

I would send your photos to your local county extension office or MG group and have them take a look. Check in the evening to see if you can find any of the adult weevils at work, to confirm.

And I also agree to get rid of the grass around your citrus trees. Hopefully? they're not planted in a lawn that is being sprinkled. Citrus really do not like to be sprinkled, and will not do well in that environment. You want to create a nice water well, and place your drips in the well. Fertilize with a fertilizer as close to 5-1-3 NPK as possible. Top with some compost, keeping it clear from the trunk. That will discourage pests. And, I have to say, it looks like your poor little citrus tree is "tied up to a post", lol!! You might want to unwind the twine a wee bit. Try using padded twist ties, and let the trunk had a little bit of "wiggle" room, so the trunk is stimulated by the wind to develop. If you lash your citrus to a stake like that, you're going to end up with a weak, skinny trunk Wink

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