four weeks it began showing growth whereas all the other fruit trees took almost
immediately. Its been doing fine until
just recently when I noticed some of the leaves on the main truck were drying
up. I check the moister level
regularly. Looking closer at the graft
there seems to be some liquid oozing out.
Enclosed are some photos of the liquid, drying leaves, and tips of
higher leaves. Any thoughts on what I’m
up against. Rootstock is Citation
Hybrid if that helps.
are doing just great.
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| Iron chlorosis, inter veinal chlorosis, or yellowing between the veins typical of new growth when iron chlorosis is present |
blog. Your photos tell a nice story I dont get to tell very often. But first
lets look at the obvious and the is the discoloration of the leaves.
chlorosis”. Chlorosis just means “yellowing” so it is yellowing
between the veins. The most common reason for this in our alkaline soils is
nutritional and frequently it is a lack of iron. Other nutrient deficiences
that can cause similar types of chlorosis can include manganese and zinc
deficiencies. I would guess this is an iron problem.
this case Citation) meets what we call the scion (in this case yours is
Blenheim apricot) we see some damage. It is very close to the bud union or
dogleg (where the two meet).
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| Bud union or dogleg. Where the Blenheim apricot was budded or “grafted” on to Citation rootstock and sap |
The damage may have started at the time of
planting and is most likely from sun damage or sunburn. This area should have
been painted with whitewash or any diluted white latex paint. Dilute 1:1 with
water. Or you can put anything in front of that area that would give it some
shade until the tree puts on some canopy and shades itself. You can use wooden
shingles, cardboard, anything to cast a shade on the trunk.
Usually, if the
trunk gets sunburn then it is highly likely it will also draw borers to the
damage and you will get borer damage there. It is very likely this is what you
are seeing. YOu can find out easily by bending the canopy of the tree over. If
the trunk breaks, it will break at the borer damage and you will most likely
see them there. If it does not break when you bend it, it may just be sunburn.
If the sunburn is not extensive, it is posssible it could heal itself but
rather unlikely. You may have lost the tree.
also lead to the chlorosis or yellowing of the leaves as well. The sunburn
damage can interrupt the flow of nutrients including iron up the tree and the
interruption may be enough to limit the supply of available iron and lead
toward iron chlorosis. However, some iron chelate sprays on the leaves a few
times, along with a teaspoon of Ivory liquid per gallon of spray, may be enough
to green the leaves up. I would guess 4 to 6 applications made in the wee hours
of the morning when it is cool.
or provide some shade on the trunk until the canopy gives enough shade to
protect itself.