Lemon Tree In Africa

[Namibian Bosman]

Hi All, I have a lemon tree in a pot bought from a nursery. I have for the longest time trying to figure out why the leaves do all of these strange things.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

 

[Chuck]

If I were to guess I would say that the curling leaves are caused by two things. One cause could be high temperatures or temperature changes. But, the main reason would be that the plant is root bound. By being root bound correct watering is about impossible. You water and the soil feels wet but, where the roots are bound it is dry. Thus the curling. Also, if the pictures are correct, the plant needs micro-nutrients, probably iron but possibly other as well including manganese and magnesium.

 

[Namibian Bosman]

Thank you so much for the reply, I’ll attach a picture and maybe you could help me judge if it’s outgrown it’s pot.

How would one know if it’s root bound?

 

[Chuck]

Thank you so much for the reply, I’ll attach a picture and maybe you could help me judge if it’s outgrown it’s pot.

How would one know if it’s root bound?

You cannot tell if it is root bound unless you remove the plant from the container. Then it will be obvious. You will see a mass of roots and little soil. From the size of the tree and the size of the container I can just about guarantee it is root bound. There could be another problem too. It could be planted too deep. If it is this will affect the long term health of the tree. Take a picture of the base of the tree showing in detail where the trunk emerges from the soil. Also, from the last picture, it show definite chlorosis or yellowing of the newer leaves, a sure sign of a lack of micro-nutrients. I don't know if you can get Chelated Iron in Namibia or not but that is what you need to fix the problem. Liquid seaweed is almost as good as Chelated Iron if you can't get the CI

 

[Namibian Bosman]

Chuck, thank you so much for your thoughts. I’m going to repot it as soon as possible. I’m using the following as a fertilizer, recommended by local nursery. I also removed the bark as a preparation for repotting and took a picture.

 

[Chuck]

You removed the bark?

 

[Namibian Bosman]

Not on the lemon tree, I had a layer of bark cuttings in the pot to protect the soil from evaporation.

 

[Chuck]

Not on the lemon tree, I had a layer of bark cuttings in the pot to protect the soil from evaporation.

I understand now. Over here we call that type of material mulch.

 

[Namibian Bosman]

Chuck, thank you so much for your thoughts. It really helps a beginner gardener.

I’ve attached a picture of the roots and a after picture once it was repotted.

Now I hope it will recover and thrive again.

 

[Chuck]

Chuck, thank you so much for your thoughts. It really helps a beginner gardener.

I’ve attached a picture of the roots and a after picture once it was repotted.

Now I hope it will recover and thrive again.

I can't tell from the picture if you repotted it too deep. Please send a close up picture of the trunk where it goes into the soil.

 

[Namibian Bosman]

Two pictures, one I’ve dug away so you can see one of the roots.

 

[Chuck]

Two pictures, one I’ve dug away so you can see one of the roots.

The root flare of a tree must be visible. The second picture shows the root flare on one side of the tree. The tops of ALL of the major roots must be visible. Google root flare to see pictures of what your tree is supposed to look like and the importance. It appears that the tree is still planted too deep.