Gardening Questions … Ask Anna – My Orange Tree has dropped its leaves, why?

Hello everyone! My name is Anna, I manage your local Harvest Garden Centre on the corner of Vincent Massey and Powerdam Drive in Cornwall and I’m here to answer your questions.

This month’s question is “What is causing my orange tree to drop its leaves?”

First of all, I’d just like to congratulate you because citrus plants are very temperamental indoors. The first and most important thing to worry about is the temperature. These guys love warm temps, so try to maintain a temperature between 15 to 18 degrees C. Too much fluctuation can also be bad, so try to avoid putting them near open windows or doors leading to outside in the colder months.

Be sure to inspect the tree closely to make sure you don’t have an insect problem. Scale is an enemy I’ve dealt with many times. You’ll know your lemon tree is infected with scale because you will see small circular bumps that almost look as if they are part of the plant itself. You should be able to see them with the naked eye. They can vary in color from brown to white and are roughly 1/4 inch long. If your lemon tree is infected with scale, you should remove them with just a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol. You can also use a sharp knife to scrape them off. Either way, be sure to check again for a few days to ensure you removed them all.

Citrus plants also do not enjoy going dry. Be sure to check below the soil level to see if it’s wet with your finger. If you don’t feel any dampness then be sure to give it a good drink. These few tips should increase your chances of new leaf growth! This was a bit of a personal question this month as I have fond memories of decorating a small lemon tree with my little brother that my mother had in the living room during the holidays.

If you would like me to answer one of your questions next month you can send your question to me at [email protected] attention Ask Anna.

I hope everyone has a fantastic month and be sure to stop by and say hi and remember, you can pick up your Seeker each month at Harvest OR you can subscribe to it and get it delivered to your home…