Question
I live in the lower Florida Keys.  I have a Key Lime tree planted outside in native soil; full sun through about 3pm in the summer - not as late in the winter.  It has been in the ground approximately 2 years.  The first season we had less than 10 fruit; this past season probably upwards of 50 fruit.  It is about 5 feet tall and about 4 feet wide. It has seemed healthy until the last month or so when we've seen considerable leaf loss. We had some record low temps the first couple of weeks of Jan - as low as 48 degrees with 30mph winds from the north for several days. We had seen some leaf loss prior to the cold but now it is significant. I can see through the tree now.  Other than the cold, any suggestions as to the problem and/or solution?
Thanks  

Answer
Hi Pam, I did not see leaf drop on my key limes at 35 degrees, what I think the problem is is not enough water.  You should be watering about 3 1/2 inches per week minimum, and if the ground is dry and very windy but hot, the water is pulled from the ground making it even drier, then maybe two times a week.  You also may have a fungus in the flowers and I would suggest a fungicide, some use copper, but then you get  a copper problem, I use Atomic Grow which keeps the fungus off, helps to produce more fruit and end helps keep the leaf minor off your tree.  If the tree only looses leaves in the center it is getting ready to bear flowers then fruit.  Again you can not water just when you see flowers, you need to maintain a year round watering program.  If not, your fruit will be dry as the tree will suck the juice out of the fruit to survive.  kathy