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The lemon tree is one of the most popular fruit trees to have in land, gardens and even in large pots, because it is not a very demanding tree in its care and its fruits are highly appreciated for their acid taste and their properties for health and other uses.
However, it may happen that one day we find our lemon tree with yellow leaves. This can be due to several reasons and it is very important to learn to identify them and know how to respond to them in time. If you want to learn the answers to questions such as why the lemon tree leaves turn yellow and how to cure a lemon tree with yellow leaves, join us in this Green Ecologist article in which you will see a guide on the causes of yellow leaves on lemon tree and how to save it.
Yellow leaves due to lack of nitrogen
If your lemon tree shows chlorosis on the leaves, that is to say, yellowing by lack of chlorophyll and this affects the oldest branches first and extends to the youngest, we are facing a case of chlorosis due to lack of nitrogen.
Nitrogen, or N, is one of the main nutrients for the lemon tree. Without it, they cannot grow or develop properly and it is an especially essential nutrient for flowering plants and fruit trees. In this other article we talk more about the Function of nitrogen in plants and its importance.
Pay special attention to how chlorosis progresses, it is important to be able to identify it. It will only be due to a lack of nitrogen if it appears first on the older leaves and progresses to the new ones, if not, it may be due to other causes.
You can remedy this problem by applying a lemon tree citrus compost specific, or simply adding organic nitrogen-rich fertilizer on a regular basis, such as worm castings or bokashi.
Yellow leaves due to lack of zinc
Contrary to what happens with a lack of nitrogen, if you have a lemon tree with yellow and wrinkled leaves and this begins in the new leaves to go spreading towards the old ones, it will surely be about lack of zinc, another micronutrient that your plant needs.
This can also affect new shoots, which will already appear yellow and dwarfed on their newly formed leaves. Usually, the yellow color will only affect the spaces between the leaf veins, the latter preserving their common green, although in very severe cases even the veins will turn yellow.
In the case of the lack of zinc, in addition, we will also see necrosis spots on the edges of the sheet, which will make sure that this is the problem.
Yellow leaves due to lack of iron or excess moisture
In the case of iron deficiency, the yellowing will also affect the new leaves first and will spread towards the older ones, although without necrosis spots or the appearance of dwarfism. The clearest peculiarity of iron deficiency is that it begins in the veins and, when severe, the leaves will turn a yellow almost white, so much so that the leaf veins will be almost impossible to discern.
This problem can occur, both due to the lack of iron in the soil, as well as because the irrigation has been excessive or the drainage very bad and the roots, drowned, are unable to absorb the element from the soil. It will be necessary to improve drainage, space irrigation or apply iron for the lemon tree in the fertilizer.
Yellow leaves on the lemon tree due to lack of manganese
Unlike the nutrients mentioned above, the lack of manganese is identified in the lemon tree with dry yellow leaves because the yellowing does not occur throughout the entire leaf, if not irregularly, almost mottled. That is, we find yellow spots on lemon tree leaves.
Chlorosis appears in new shoots and progresses to old ones, but dwarfism does not appear. It is common for this to appear naturally to some degree in winter, and that with the arrival of the warmer months it disappears without problems. Only when it is a serious lack of this element will it be necessary to intervene.
After discovering all this, we recommend you read these other two articles by Green Ecologist on Why do yellow leaves appear on plants and solutions and Pests and diseases of the lemon tree, as well as continue reading the following sections of this same guide.
How to save a lemon tree with yellow leaves
The treatment for the yellow leaves of the lemon tree It will depend entirely on which of the causes listed above we are. Most of them go through applying to the tree a suitable fertilizer that supplies those nutrient needs you have. In addition, the fertilizer does not have to be chemical. There are a large number of ecological fertilizers that you can make yourself, for very little money, and that will supply the nitrogen, manganese, iron or zinc needs of your tree without problems.
The case of lack of iron due to poor drainage is the most complicated when it comes to adult lemon trees, since transplant a tree large is practically unfeasible or very expensive. Do your best to improve soil drainage and avoid waterlogging of the area at all costs, spacing the irrigations if necessary. Yes the lemon tree leaves are yellow and fall off Even after doing this, you probably have to consider that the cause is another and not the one you believed and consider other methods.
How to prevent yellow lemon leaves
The lemon tree diseases they are much easier to prevent than to treat, especially in the case of those that depend on the terrain. These are some tips to prevent the yellow leaves of the lemon tree and, in general, the diseases of these citrus fruits:
- Make sure to locate your tree in an area with the best possible drainage and that is sunny.
- You can water the area abundantly before planting it and notice where the water puddles or accumulates and where it does not. The point where the stagnant water does not remain will be the best area. Here you can learn about How to plant a lemon tree.
- Regarding nutrients, fertilize your fruit tree regularly and add organic matter to the soil in the warm months in the form of worm castings or compost.
Now we encourage you to continue learning about these citrus fruit trees reading our guides on
- Lemon tree care.
- How to eliminate a pest on a lemon tree.
- Why do the lemon tree flowers fall?
- Homemade insecticides for lemon trees.
If you want to read more articles similar to Yellow leaves on the lemon tree: causes and how to save it, we recommend that you enter our category of Cultivation and care of plants.
