My mom has three dwarf citrus trees: a Meyer Lemon, a Mexican Lime, and a Trovita Orange. They were grafted and shipped from an online supplier. She has had them for a little less than a year. They are about 2 to 3 ft. tall with no current flowers (a few flowers had previously appeared on the lemon and lime trees which were hand-pollinated). Each tree is in its own large pot with good drainage, plenty of light, and fed with Miracle Gro Acid Loving Plant Food (30-10-10). [her choice, not mine
]
- The lemon tree is healthy, but producing only three 1 1/2-inch diameter fruits.
The lime tree has wet, sappy leaves and is producing only two 1/2-inch diameter fruits.
The orange tree didn't bloom yet. It also has wet, sappy leaves and no fruits.
She lives in zone 6 and grows all three trees in her indoor poolhouse, which has many windows. It is the perfect location with consistent humidity, light and temperature. Although, I hear these trees like temperatures between 55-75 F, yet our NJ summer has yielded higher temperatures at 75-90 F/day and 65-80 F/night. It is beginning to cool down a bit now.
I wish I could help her, but I am unsure how to care for dwarf citrus trees. We need to know why the leaves of the lime and orange trees are so sappy! I believe she needs to apply either a horticultural oil or soap. However, if there are any other reasons this may occur, please let me know. Also, why are these trees only 2 to 3 fruits at a time, or none at all in the case of the orange tree? What can cause this other than insufficient pollination? [which is probably unlikely]
