Q. I have a dwarf lemon tree with many yellow leaves. Can
I add iron at this time of year (December)?
I add iron at this time of year (December)?
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| This is not citrus but it is iron chlorosis. You can tell from the yellowing of the leaf while the veins remain green and appearing on the newest growth. It is possible to confuse it with manganese deficiency easily. |
A. If you apply iron this time of year (December) it is
best applied as a foliar spray rather than to the soil. If the leaf yellowing
is not extensive you could wait until spring. Leaf yellowing reduces a plant’s
ability to capture sunlight and produce energy to maintain its growth and
health.
best applied as a foliar spray rather than to the soil. If the leaf yellowing
is not extensive you could wait until spring. Leaf yellowing reduces a plant’s
ability to capture sunlight and produce energy to maintain its growth and
health.
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| Iron chelate made for applying mixed with water. |
If you want to correct it now, you
must apply iron to the leaves as a liquid or foliar spray. It is best to use an
iron chelate mixed with water and add about 1 tablespoon of white vinegar if
you use tap water to reduce the alkalinity. If you use distilled water, you
will not need the vinegar. To this water
add the appropriate amount of iron chelate listed on the label. You should add
a wetting agent to help the spray penetrate the leaves.
must apply iron to the leaves as a liquid or foliar spray. It is best to use an
iron chelate mixed with water and add about 1 tablespoon of white vinegar if
you use tap water to reduce the alkalinity. If you use distilled water, you
will not need the vinegar. To this water
add the appropriate amount of iron chelate listed on the label. You should add
a wetting agent to help the spray penetrate the leaves.
You can make your own wetting
agent by using a liquid detergent like Dawn or Ivory Liquid at a rate of about
2 teaspoons per gallon added to the finished spray mix. It is not as refined as
a commercial wetting agent but it will do the job.
agent by using a liquid detergent like Dawn or Ivory Liquid at a rate of about
2 teaspoons per gallon added to the finished spray mix. It is not as refined as
a commercial wetting agent but it will do the job.
 |
| A very safe wetting agent for better leaf penetration |
You would apply this mixture of
water, chelate and wetting agent to the leaves immediately after mixing it
until the spray runs off the leaf surface. Let the leaves dry and repeat it a
few days apart or until you see the leaf color change from yellow to a darker
green.
water, chelate and wetting agent to the leaves immediately after mixing it
until the spray runs off the leaf surface. Let the leaves dry and repeat it a
few days apart or until you see the leaf color change from yellow to a darker
green.
Foliar sprays like these may
require several applications to get the results you desire. Citrus leaves have a very waxy surface and are
difficult to penetrate with just plain water. If you use tap water then each
time you prepare a new spray you should adjust the alkalinity of the water with
vinegar and add a wetting agent.
require several applications to get the results you desire. Citrus leaves have a very waxy surface and are
difficult to penetrate with just plain water. If you use tap water then each
time you prepare a new spray you should adjust the alkalinity of the water with
vinegar and add a wetting agent.
Foliar sprays should always be
freshly made, applied immediately and not stored for any length of time.
Unfortunately homemade iron liquids, unlike commercial sprays, do not store very
well. It might be cheaper in the long run to buy the liquid iron spray already
made and make the application.
freshly made, applied immediately and not stored for any length of time.
Unfortunately homemade iron liquids, unlike commercial sprays, do not store very
well. It might be cheaper in the long run to buy the liquid iron spray already
made and make the application.
It is also possible citrus leaf
yellowing could be a magnesium or manganese problem. Liquid iron sprays will
not correct problems due to magnesium or manganese.
yellowing could be a magnesium or manganese problem. Liquid iron sprays will
not correct problems due to magnesium or manganese.