Reasons why tangerine leaves fall and methods of saving the plant

Mandarin is popular among citrus growers due to the fact that it looks attractive all year round. This is an evergreen deciduous plant that, with proper care, blooms and bears fruit even at home.

Falling leaves of citrus fruits is a clear sign of violation of the rules of care, damage by diseases and pests, or a stressful situation. A healthy tree does not shed its leaves. Why do tangerine leaves fall and how to save it, read on.

Reasons for the falling leaves of indoor tangerines

Falling greens of tangerines is a rare phenomenon. If several leaves have fallen off the tree, but the crown has not thinned out, there is no need to worry. The lifespan of each sheet plate is 3 years. Then they fall off, and new greenery grows in their place.

Slight leaf fall can be observed in the fall, usually in November, but this also will not affect the density of the crown. This phenomenon is associated with the cyclical life of the plant.

If leaves fall in large quantities, the plant is inspected for infection and pests, and also change growing technology. This problem indicates errors in care.

Note! Mandarine is an evergreen plant. Heavy leaf fall should not be observed even in the cold season.

Unsuitable growing conditions

Indoor citrus fruits are demanding on conditions growing. In an uncomfortable climate, they begin to shed their leaves and turn yellow.The cause of this problem is the following unfavorable factors.

Low or high temperature

For tangerine, room temperature (+20...+22°C) is considered the most comfortable, but the indicators can vary within +18...+26°C. If the temperature is below +2°C, the tree freezes, loses its leaves and dies. At temperatures below +15°C, the plant enters a dormant state, in which it will remain for several months. If, with the arrival of spring, the temperature does not rise to comfortable levels, the tree will begin to shed its leaves. At temperatures above +30°C, the tangerine crown will dry out.

Temperature changes

Sudden temperature changes are detrimental to tangerines. The problem arises if you take the tree outside from the apartment, bring it back into the house, or send it for the winter without first hardening it. To avoid leaf falling and other symptoms of stress, the plant is brought into new conditions gradually, increasing the time it stays there every day.

Drafts

They are dangerous for citrus trees and often cause wilting, yellowing and falling of the crown. Mandarin should not be placed next to an open window or placed in winter on a window whose cracks are blown by a cold wind.

Lack of lighting

The leaves fall off if the tangerine is in the active growth phase in intense light for less than 12 hours. To prevent this problem from arising, the plant is placed on a southern or southwestern windowsill. If there is not enough light, fluorescent lamps are used.

Exposure to the scorching sun

Direct sunlight is as harmful to a tangerine tree as a lack of light. From 12 to 16 o'clock the sun can scorch the leaves. During this period, the window is shaded with a translucent curtain.

Low humidity

Citrus fruits are tropical and subtropical plants. They need high humidity. To ensure suitable conditions, the tree is sprayed daily with warm water in summer, spring and autumn. In winter, if the pot of tangerine is in a cool room, there is no need to do this.

If it is in a heated room, spraying is continued, and an air humidifier or a container of water is placed near the citrus. If the tree is on a windowsill under which there is a battery, hang a damp cloth on the device to protect the plant from hot, dry air.

Wrong wintering

In winter, citrus trees need a state of rest. To ensure this, the temperature is lowered to +8...+10°C. This must be done at least once every 3 years. Otherwise, the tree will become exhausted, begin to dry out and shed its leaves.

Errors in care

The reason for abundant leaf fall often lies in improper care. Let's look at the most common mistakes gardeners make that cause this problem.

Waterlogging of the soil

If you fill the soil, the water will stagnate. In such conditions quickly multiply fungi and bacteria, the root system rots, nutrients are washed out of the soil. All this causes leaves to fall.

To avoid such a situation, the tangerine is watered as the top layer of soil dries with a small amount of water in the summer and 2-3 times a week in the winter.

Dry soil

Rare watering also does not contribute to the normal development of citrus fruits. Dry soil encourages the development of certain types of fungi and pests, and also prevents the absorption of nutrients.

No transfers

Transplants are done as the pot fills with the root system.If this is not done, the plant will be cramped, it will not be able to fully develop, and the roots will begin to die. Over the course of several years, the soil in the pot becomes depleted and becomes saturated with harmful salts. This cannot be corrected by fertilizing; a complete replacement is necessary. soil.

Incorrect transplant

When replanting a tangerine, it is important to work carefully. If the root system is significantly damaged, the leaves dry out and fall off. The same thing happens if the container chosen for transplantation is too small.

Lack of elements

Mandarins often contain flowers, green ovaries, and ripe fruits at the same time. This plant spends a lot of resources on this. So that it has time to recover and does not lose its greenery, fertilize every 1-2 weeks.

Acidic soil

Citrus requires slightly acidic or alkaline soil. In acidic soil, problems with the crown (leaves and branches) begin.

Watering with cold water

To water the lemon, use water whose temperature is as close as possible to the indoor temperature. Cold liquid damages the roots and causes them to rot.

Diseases

Many diseases eventually lead to leaf drop. This is what causes the tree to die. The list shows the most common tangerine diseases with a similar symptom:

1. Chlorosis. Occurs due to iron deficiency. This is caused either by the lack of fertilizing with the required element, or by watering the mandarin with chlorinated water or using fertilizers with chlorine. To get rid of the problem, iron sulfate is added to the soil.
2. Malsecco. The main symptom of this disease is the plant dropping its leaves. Moreover, they begin to fall from the top. The disease cannot be treated; diseased citrus is thrown away.
3. Gommoz. Also leads to thinning of the crown.The disease is recognized by characteristic cracks in the bark and gum secretions. To save the plant, the affected areas are cleaned with a sharp knife, then treated with garden pitch and copper sulfate.
4. Root rot. The disease affects only the root system, so it can only be noticed in the later stages, when the leaves have turned yellow and leaf fall has begun. To save a tree, it is dug up, the roots are washed with warm water, and then all affected areas are cut off. The remaining root system is disinfected with copper sulfate. The treated plant is transplanted into disinfected soil, watered with a root formation stimulator and greenhouse conditions are provided.

Pests

Pests are no less dangerous than diseases. Moreover, the greatest threat is posed by those that feed on plant sap. It is they that lead to abundant leaf fall and the imminent death of the tangerine:

1. Shield. Yellow or brown convex formations appear on the trunk and underside of leaf blades along the veins. To remove the larva, the affected areas are wiped with kerosene or the pest is scraped off directly with a knife. After the main treatment, the wood is washed in the shower and sprayed with soapy water.
2. Spider mite. The inside of the leaf blades is covered with cobwebs and small, often red insects. To get rid of the pest, the tree is washed in the shower and then sprayed with a soap solution. The procedure is repeated every 5 days at least 3 times.
3. Aphid. The inside of the leaves and young shoots are covered with colonies of green or black insects. They are fought like spider mites.
4. Thrips. Small black or transparent insects. The control method is the same as with aphids or spider mites.

How to save a tangerine tree

If the problem lies in repeatedly flooded soil, watering is temporarily stopped. When the soil dries, the tree is dug up and the root system is inspected for diseases and damage. Then the tangerine is transplanted into new disinfected soil. At first, it is recommended to water it not directly, but by pouring water into a tray under the pot.

If the soil dries out for a long time, you should not immediately water the tangerine abundantly. Water is poured into the pot little by little, taking 2-hour breaks between waterings. After two days, they begin to water the tangerine according to the correct pattern.

Normalize the temperature in the room. The plant is placed on a southern windowsill. Other bugs are corrected.

After eliminating the cause of leaf fall, the mandarin is resuscitated. This process consists of the following steps:

1. The tangerine is covered with a bag, the edges of which are fixed on the pot. This will help create the greenhouse conditions necessary for the plant to recover. The package is removed every day for 15-30 minutes.
2. It is advisable to temporarily remove the tree from the windowsill. Instead, a phytolamp or luminescent device is placed next to it, which should work for at least 12 hours.
3. Every day the plant is sprayed with Epin solution. Once a week, add “Kornevin” to the water for irrigation.

Such conditions are provided to the tangerine until new leaves begin to appear. After this, the frequent use of growth stimulants is stopped, and the duration of ventilation is increased, gradually completely dismantling the greenhouse.

To speed up the growth of green mass, fertilize with nitrogen (ammonium nitrate). It is also recommended to add superphosphate and potassium salts to the fertilizer.

When the young leaves become larger, the tree is watered with a solution of microelements or a multicomponent fertilizer prepared according to a folk recipe.

Other problems and methods for solving them

In stressful situations and improper care tangerine leaves may not fall off, but change their appearance for the worse. The cause of the problem is judged by the way they look.

The leaves are drying

If the leaves turn yellow, curl inward and dry out, the reason lies in poor and infrequent watering or lack of lighting. In both cases, not only the greenery often dries out, but also the branches.

To correct the situation, resume normal watering of the tangerine. The pot with the tree is moved to a well-lit place.

Note! In summer, it is useful to place tangerines in the garden or on the balcony.

The tips dry out or the leaves turn yellow

If the tips of the leaves dry out, the problem lies in excessive watering. To correct the situation, do not water the plant until the soil is at least half dry. Then the tangerine is replanted or watered with a light pink solution of potassium permanganate.

The same symptom occurs in dry air. Regular spraying of the crown and installing an air humidifier in the room will help cure the tangerine.

The leaves turn yellow and become spotted if the plant is infected with spider mites or other pests. How to deal with them is described above. The reason often lies in illness.

The tangerine has dropped all its leaves

If absolutely all the leaves have fallen from a tree, this indicates an extreme degree of neglect of its condition. This can happen for any of the reasons described above, if the citrus grower has ignored the alarming symptoms for a long time.

Note! The tangerine will suddenly drop its leaves if the soil is too dry and then flooded.

What to do if the tangerine has dropped all its leaves:

1. It is placed in greenhouse conditions. To do this, put a bag on the tree and fix it on the pot. Air the tangerine every day, removing the bag for 15-20 minutes.
2. Every day, the crown and trunk of the tree are generously sprayed with a warm Epin solution.
3. At this stage, the plant is not watered. It is recommended to place a wet floral oasis, expanded clay or ordinary cotton wool soaked in water in the tray underneath.

The tree will remain in such conditions until shoots or leaves appear on it. After this, the plant is watered with the Kornevin solution and the duration of ventilation is increased.

When the leaves and shoots grow, dry branches and other parts of the plant are cut off. The cut areas are covered with garden varnish.

Preventive measures

It is not always possible to save a tangerine that is losing its leaves. Therefore, it is important to follow the rules of prevention:

• provide frequent watering with a small amount of warm water;
• spray the tree with a spray bottle;
• deposit every 2 weeks feeding, alternating mineral and organic;
• ensure optimal temperature and light indicators;
• wash the tangerine in the shower every week;
• inspect for pest damage;
• harden the plant before moving it to new conditions;
• Replant annually for the first 3 years, then once every 2-3 years.

Conclusion

Mandarin is an evergreen plant. With proper care, it has a beautiful dense crown of regular shape. Every year, inflorescences and fruits are formed on it.

A healthy tangerine should not lose leaves. However, the falling of several leaf blades is not a reason for panic, but a completely natural process.It’s time to sound the alarm only if the tree is rapidly going bald. This symptom indicates that the growing technology is broken.