Common Meyer Lemon Tree Diseases
Meyer Lemon Tree
Is your Meyer lemon tree sick? Discover some of the most common Meyer lemon tree diseases below.
Citrus trees are absolutely beautiful and one of the most popular is the Meyer lemon tree.
If you currently have or are looking to add lemon trees to your garden or landscaping, you want to make sure that you know how to properly care for and protect them. Even citrus trees aren't immune to disease.
If you're worried that your Meyer lemon tree may be sick, you need to check out some of the most common Meyer lemon tree diseases that occur and what you can do about them.
Common Signs Your Meyer Lemon Tree May Be Diseased
Unusual spots, scabs, or growths on leaves, fruit, or bark
Yellowing, shriveling, or falling leaves
Mold, fungus, or sticky residue on the tree or soil
Below are some of the most common Meyer lemon tree diseases that occur and what you can do about them.
Once you taste your first homegrown lemon — sweet enough to eat whole with salt — you’ll never go back!
Most Popular Lemon in the Rio Grande Valley: Down in South Texas, it’s known simply as the “Valley Lemon,” because it’s that beloved.
A Natural Hybrid (Part Mandarin, Part Lemon): It’s sweeter, less acidic, and more fragrant than any standard lemon.
Edible Like an Orange: This fruit is mild enough to eat with just a sprinkle of salt.
Join thousands of backyard growers who’ve made the switch from sad grocery lemons to fresh Meyer lemons!
Citrus Scab
Does your lemon tree have areas that look like warts or scabs? It could be infected by one of the common Meyers lemon tree diseases: citrus scab. Citrus scab attacks the leaves, twigs, and fruit of the lemon tree.
These citrus scab pustules can spread quickly. Trees are most vulnerable during the first three months following the fall of their blossoms. It's important to protect the trees during this time. Applying a copper fungicide regularly during this time will help protect the lemon tree.
Anthracnose
Anthracnose is a lemon disease that may affect your Meyer Lemon Tree. This disease causes the leaves to shrivel and turn dark in color. In just a few days after infection, anthracnose can turn a healthy, beautiful tree into a mess.
To control the spread, destroy any infected leaves and prune away any dead or damaged limbs.
Armillaria Root Rot
A common Meyer Lemon Tree disease is Armillaria root rot. Symptoms of this disease include yellowing leaves, a gradual decline in foliage, and white fungal growths under the bark that may produce an unpleasant odor.
Depending on how early the Meyer Lemon Tree is diagnosed with Armillaria root rot, it may not be possible to save the tree. Once honey-colored mushrooms appear on the bark, the disease is usually too advanced to treat.
Botrytis fungus
After Meyer Lemon Trees are exposed to long periods of rain, they can become susceptible to a disease called botrytis fungus. This disease appears as gray mold and can spread very quickly if not treated in time.
Wounded Meyer Lemon Trees are more likely to be affected, so be sure you’re taking proper care when pruning or handling the plant. Remove any infected areas immediately and thoroughly clean tools and surrounding surfaces between trees to prevent the infection from spreading to other plants.
Phytophthora Fungus
Another Meyer lemon tree disease to look out for is Phytophthora fungus. This fungus causes gummosis which is presented as a gummy presence on the surfaces of the lemon tree.
Phytophthora fungus lives in the soil. You will need to remove all infected fruit and leaves from both the tree and those that have fallen off the tree. You will want to follow up with a fungicide to further protect the tree from more damage.
Get Educated on Lemon Tree Diseases
If you have or plan on having lemon trees, it's important to be educated on lemon tree diseases. You should know how to treat and even prevent these types of diseases so that your trees will thrive.
Growing Trees is fun, and every tree we send comes with a 20-page care guide.
SUMMARY
The post outlines common diseases that can affect Meyer lemon trees, including citrus scab, anthracnose, root rot, botrytis, and Phytophthora. It stresses early detection, proper care, and timely treatment to keep trees healthy and productive.
FAQ
9 comments
I have a Meyer lemon tree that I bought at Walmart three years ago. It hasn’t gotten any bigger, and hasn’t successfully grown any new leaves. I keep pruning back to where there are leaves, but nothing seems to happen. The tree isn’t dead, but it’s like it’s in suspended animation. Is flowers once in the spring and is covered with flowers, but no leaves.
I have a Meyer lemon tree that I bought at Walmart three years ago. It hasn’t gotten any bigger, and hasn’t successfully grown any new leaves. I keep pruning back to where there are leaves, but nothing seems to happen. The tree isn’t dead, but it’s like it’s in suspended animation. Is flowers once in the spring and is covered with flowers, but no leaves.
I have a Meyer lemon tree that I bought at Walmart three years ago. It hasn’t gotten any bigger, and hasn’t successfully grown any new leaves. I keep pruning back to where there are leaves, but nothing seems to happen. The tree isn’t dead, but it’s like it’s in suspended animation. Is flowers once in the spring and is covered with flowers, but no leaves.
This is more of a request vs comment please:
Could I be advised where to find pictures of mostly the diseased leaves of my potted Meyer Lemon Tree?