Blood Orange Tree - Moro - Leaves Falling

[thebigjoe1]

All,

I have a blood orange tree purchased from lemoncitrustree.com. I purchased it last year, 3-4 year range, planted it in a very large potter, and have had it indoor ever since. The tree itself always looked healthy. Very green leaves. A few months ago, it finally sprouted some new leaves, in different areas, but none since. The past month, almost every other day or so, a leaf falls off the plant. Again, a very healthy looking leaf. Now i did notice that there is a shiny sticky substance on many of the leaves. I read that this is honey dew and is from insects. I looked for webbing under the leaves, and i dont see anything, never have. Regardless i tried cleaning the leaves as recommended with warm soapy water. It works, but is tedious, and very difficult to do if not on the top. Once i get in more, cleaning the branches and underside of leaves, many more leaves started to fall. I dont want to cause more to fall, and am looking for help. I just started spraying an organic insecticide soap, so i hope that helps. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Regards

 

[Chuck]

All,

I have a blood orange tree purchased from lemoncitrustree.com. I purchased it last year, 3-4 year range, planted it in a very large potter, and have had it indoor ever since. The tree itself always looked healthy. Very green leaves. A few months ago, it finally sprouted some new leaves, in different areas, but none since. The past month, almost every other day or so, a leaf falls off the plant. Again, a very healthy looking leaf. Now i did notice that there is a shiny sticky substance on many of the leaves. I read that this is honey dew and is from insects. I looked for webbing under the leaves, and i dont see anything, never have. Regardless i tried cleaning the leaves as recommended with warm soapy water. It works, but is tedious, and very difficult to do if not on the top. Once i get in more, cleaning the branches and underside of leaves, many more leaves started to fall. I dont want to cause more to fall, and am looking for help. I just started spraying an organic insecticide soap, so i hope that helps. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Regards

A closeup picture of both sides of a fallen leaf would be helpful. Also pictures of the sticky stuff, assorted stems, base of the trunk and leaves. Also, any irregularities anywhere on the tree.

 

[thebigjoe1]

Chuck,

Attached are pictures of what you requested. I don't have the leaves that fell as i have already discarded of them. But they look no different then any of the underside pics i took for you today. If another falls i will take one and upload.

Regards,

 

[karstopography]

Sure looks like citrus scale to me.

Treating and Preventing Scale / LemonCitrusTree | Citrus Blog

We are the Citrus Tree Experts! Buy with confidence knowing your tree is guaranteed for Three Years. No other nursery warranties their trees as long as we do.

lemoncitrustree.com

 

[Chuck]

Chuck,

Attached are pictures of what you requested. I don't have the leaves that fell as i have already discarded of them. But they look no different then any of the underside pics i took for you today. If another falls i will take one and upload.

Regards,

You have two things wrong. The first is that the tree is planted too deep. The root flare must be exposed. The second is that you have hard scale insects. On just about every leaf shown you will see 2 or 3 black spots on or at the stem of the leaf. That is hard scale and they are causing the sticky stuff. Spray the entire tree, both sides of the leaves, the stems and the trunk with Neem Oil. Do this 3 times, once every 7-9 days. The insects will not fall off but they will be dead. The reason for spraying 3 times is to make sure that the insect's reproductive cycle has been broken.

 

[thebigjoe1]

Ok i have neem oil. Will the insecticide soap help as well? I have removed some of the soft ones with a q tip and rubbing alcohol.

 

[Chuck]

Ok i have neem oil. Will the insecticide soap help as well? I have removed some of the soft ones with a q tip and rubbing alcohol.

Forget the soap. It is marginal even on soft scale. I didn't see any soft scale but I am sure they are there. They crawl around and stay mobile. They are usually whiteish in color and cause most of the sticky stuff. Neem will take care of them too. That is why it is important to spray the ENTIRE tree.

 

[Chuck]

Once you have the scale taken care of remove enough of the soil to see the top of the root flare. Google root flare and read a few of the articles so you will know what you are looking for. Basically the root flare is where the large main root emerge from the trunk.