I have a grapefruit bush and orange that are loosing their leaves very fast.I have satsuma [2] in the same general area with no trouble. I was so worried about the grapefruit and orange getting too cold I think they got too hot. Temps have been up and down all winter but I didn't worry to much about the sasuma. I used boxes on all if temps were predicted to be below 32 degrees and christmas lights if temps were predicted in the 25 degree range or below. Used no plastic at all because I was afraid of it!The citrus is not at my home so the boxes were left on pretty late somedays ,even all day if still cold all day long. Christmas lights were on during dusk to dawn only. We are now having another warm spell but as I said the orange and grapefruit look bad-maybe 1/3 leaves left on. I have been fighting aphids and scales all winter in the orange and grapefruit which has certainly complicated matters. The grapefruit still has aphids ...

I'll try to keep them alive but may have nursed them to death or just let them get too hot ? What now ? Thanks

It is not uncommon to loose a good many leaves during winter as the tree adjust to lower light, but one other factor that could be involved here is oil spray--it can prevent a tree from developing it's cold hardiness. If you have been spraying oil to control the pest that could be part of the problem.

I think the recommendation is not to spray oil after Sept in our area (2 months before cold).

Thanks, I have used some oil maybe 75 days ago and did loose a few leaves. I then used Spinosad mainly for leaf miners that were showing up in late november and december. I think my main problem is that I was so worried about cold on the grapefruit and orange that I let them get too warm last week when it got so cold. Would less attention unless very cold and then maybe lights only with no cardboard box be the best hope of survival until spring? If all the leaves do fall off should I continue to protect from freezing? I appreciate you advice ! Tom

Tom you would be surprised how much cold grapefruit and oranges can take. The fruit can only take to about 27F for a few hours before they are damaged, but the trees can take down to the low 20's F with no damage at all. We have many grapefruit and orange trees here that never get any protection and bare huge crops every year. There is even a grapefruit tree grown from seed up in Columbia, SC that produces fruit every year.

Thanks for the encouragement but if all the leaves fall off this winter from my in ground citrus do you think it will bounce back in the spring-its small enough that I can keep the trunk from freezing but its looking pretty naked right now......

If the wood isn't damaged you have a good chance at getting fruit this year.