Overwatered Lemon Tree – Signs and Step-by-Step Solution

In this article, the readers will be acknowledged for how to know about the Overwatered Lemon Tree, its Signs, and Step-by-Step solutions. Lemon trees can be overwatered in spite of growing in arid to semi-arid regions, the trees start to show yellow-colored leaves and wilting leaves and have an unpleasant smell around them, which means they are overwatered.

Quick takeaways:

  • The lemon trees in the pot are more susceptible to getting destroyed by overwatering.
  • The plant gets an excess of water easily while watering the other plants, that happens and is absolutely normal though.
  • The brown leaves in the lemon tree indicate that the plant is highly damaged by overwatering.
  • The lemon tree gets soggy soil most of the time. This is the reason that the roots get spoiled and rotted.

Other than this there is a bundle of things that you need to know related to signs and solutions of the overwatered lemon tree like the string of hearts. Don’t worry we have compiled them all and represented them in the simplest way possible. Take a look!

What does the overwatered lemon tree look like? 

Overwatering in a lemon tree can occur due to many reasons like the rainfall water not getting drained properly and making the soil soggy, the seasonal cause is one of the main causes that the lemon tree is overwatered. The lemon trees show many signs when they are overwatered which are as follows: 

1. Young leaves falling down 

The lemon trees and the citrus plants are famous for their flavourful raves and fruits, the overwatered lemon tree produces dull fruits and the leaves also fall prematurely. The roots get damaged due to the high amount of water in the soil, diluting all the nutrients, and the roots are unable to absorb the nutrients and water properly.

The leaves first drop and then they fall down. The young leaves that need the most nutrition also fail to stay attached to the branches. The overwatered lose the ability to produce new leaves after some time. 

2. Yellowing of leaves 

Lemon trees are sensitive to modifications in the watering schedule. The plants that are overwatered show yellow leaves that are usually lush green or dark green colored. The browning of leaves also is related to the overwatered lemon trees. 

3. Stunted growth 

Leaching can be the problem that the lemon trees are showing stunted growth. Leaching happened due to overwatered soil.

The roots become weak in excess of the mixture and the nutrients stay in the soil least absorbed by the plants due to which the growth doesn’t seem to increase. The overwatered lemon tree causes edema in the lemon trees. 

4. Rotting of roots 

Root rot occurs when the soil is not draining water properly. Soil keeps standing in the water and roots also start to get soft and lose their function due to rotting-like conditions.

The aeration in the soil also reduces enabling the growth of fungi which destroys the roots and the whole tree will be affected later on. 

5. Dropping of fruits 

The fruits even before ripening start to fall on the ground due to the lemon trees being overwatered. It is a clear signal that you need to look at the watering schedule and moistness of the soil if the tree is being overwatered. 

6. Drooping leaves 

These are the most important symptoms that you need to look at while analyzing the watering issue of lemon trees.

The leaves droop due to a lack of nutrients and less turgor pressure(water in the leaves). The root rot can also be the reason that the lemon tree leaves are drooping. Too much-watered soil is the enemy of the roots. 

7. Smell from mulch 

The mulch that you have put on the soil for the lemon tree to keep soil also starts to give an unpleasant jungle smell when the soil is wet and overwatered.

It is obvious that the soil that is not draining properly, is compact, or has too much water will have mold or fungal growth leading to the smell around the lemon trees. This is called the rancidity of mulch

Things to keep in mind
1. Water the lemon tree well.
2. Prune off the damaged leaves from the plant.
3. Make use of mulch in the plant for good growth.
4. Additionally, you can use fertilizer to facilitate new growth.

How to save an overwatered lemon tree? 

Whatever the reason that the lemon tree got overwatered and has started to give signs that it is almost dying, it’s high time to adopt some habits and move into the garden to save your lemon tree as soon as possible. 

1. Mulching 

The extra water can sometimes be soaked by the mulch-like bark mulch which shields the lemon tree stem and roots as they form a layer over the soil.

Make sure the bark is of good quality, well-dried, and has not stayed wet for an extra long time. The mulch should let the water drip slowly into the soil than overdoing the water onto the soil, which causes overwatering

2. Modify the watering schedule 

It is really important that you check the soil first before watering the lemon tree. Many times we simply put on the hose and start watering the lemon tree without looking at the soil that can still be moist, which in watering gets wet, and so on.

The soil staying wet for a long time is a huge problem for the lemon trees. The top inch of the soil should be dry to the touch and then go for watering the soil. In the wet season, make sure to cut the watering as the rainfall has already quenched the thirst of lemon trees and saturated the soil. 

3. Remove the damaged leaves from the tree 

Cut off the leaves that are damaged, tuned yellow or brownish in color. The defective plant parts or damaged ones are more prone to getting infections, which will spread out to the other plant parts too.

Though these leaves will grow in the next summer and springtime, right now it’s important to save the plant. 

4. Add fertilizer to give some boost to the lemon tree 

A slow-release nitrogen fertilizer, such as pelleted chicken manure or a liquid fish emulsion, can be added after about two weeks. This will restore any nutrients that were washed out of the soil by excessive watering.

Summing up the context

It is important that you look at the level of rainfall that has occurred and then decide whether to water or not. We recommend avoiding watering the lemon tree if the rain has happened. Use mulch to absorb the extra water and rain. Otherwise, all the vital points written above do follow them and surely you will be able to revive the overwatered lemon tree. We hope this article was useful to you.

Happy planting! 

Becky Decker

Becky Decker, our esteemed Editor-in-Chief, is a passionate gardener with years of experience in the world of horticulture. With her guidance, BonjourGreen.com aims to be your trusted companion on your gardening journey. Featured In   Becky Decker’s expertise and gardening wisdom have been recognized and featured in various prominent publications, including:   Homesandgardens.com Yahoo.com Urbansplatter.com Inkl.com Foliagefriend.com Yahoonews  Experience & Background   Becky Decker’s love for gardening has been a lifelong journey. She has honed her skills through countless seasons of planting, nurturing, and harvesting a wide variety of plants, flowers, and vegetables. Her deep-rooted knowledge is complemented by her Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from the University of Green Valley.   Prior to leading BonjourGreen.com, Becky worked as a garden consultant, helping countless individuals turn their outdoor spaces into vibrant, thriving gardens. Her experience spans over a decade, making her a trusted authority in the gardening community.   The Birth of BonjourGreen.com   Inspired by her passion for gardening and her desire to share her expertise with a wider audience, Becky Decker launched BonjourGreen.com in 2021. This platform serves as a hub for gardening enthusiasts of all levels, from beginners to seasoned pros.   At BonjourGreen.com, we are committed to providing you with comprehensive guides, expert advice, and hands-on tips to help you achieve success in your gardening endeavors. Whether you have a small balcony garden or a sprawling backyard paradise, we have the information you need to make your garden flourish.   Our Mission   BonjourGreen.com is more than just a gardening website; it’s a community of gardeners who share a common love for nurturing the Earth. Our mission is to empower you with the knowledge and resources to create beautiful, sustainable gardens that bring joy and tranquility to your life.   Join Us on This Green Journey   We invite you to explore BonjourGreen.com and embark on your gardening journey with us. Whether you’re seeking advice on planting techniques, pest control, landscaping ideas, or the latest gardening trends, you’ll find it all right here.   Connect with us, ask questions, and share your gardening stories. Together, we’ll cultivate a thriving community of gardeners and help each other make the world a greener, more beautiful place.   Let’s dig in and grow together at BonjourGreen.com, where gardening dreams bloom!

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