QuestionI have a Lemon Bush planted in my back yard that has been there for atleast 10 years I live in Southern California and our climate is hot in the summer and mild in the winter. Up until last year the tree produced many lemons however it stopped suddenly. Now the lemons start to develope and then they die. The leaves on the tree look healthy with no visual pests etc. The tree is irrigated with a drip system and is watered 3 times a week for about 3 minutes. I have taken a speciem to a local nursery and they sold me all types of bug sprays and food suppliments but nothing seems to work. Any ideas? My wife says I should just pull the thing out and start over.
AnswerI know that there was a bad frost in socal last winter did your area get cold ? if so this could be a problem if you had to cut back any of the tree,you may be dealing with sucker growth that is originating below the graft line.Is the tree bark pealing anywhere ? This could be gummossis and can effect the fruit set. Start by pruning the tree up so that no branches touch the ground, spray tree with a copper fungicide and you will have to wait until the next fruit set to see if this helps. Please answer back if you did have frost damage we may have to pull the out if this is what is going on.I look forward to hearing from you.
