Lemon tree dropping leaves after freeze

This may be a good sign.

Next step, sing it with me: Let it be, Let it be, whisper hope for citrus, let it be.

As readers of this blog know, a freeze can be a traumatic event for the southern gardener.  I have four citrus trees.  Two Meyer Lemons we planted when we bought the house (4 years ago).   A grapefruit, lost the tag, don’t know the variety, planted last year.  And a Satsuma Orange, two years old, but never has really got going.  Now, they all look dead.  I feel like a terrible person.  I am sorry sweet giving plants, I should have covered you, but I didn’t, I MUST DO SOMETHING NOW!  Even though I know that now it is too late.

Well, if I must do something, I will sing: Let it be, Let it be, whisper hope for citrus, let it be.

Don’t Prune, Don’t Overwater, Don’t do anything, Let it Be

The true amount of damage will be revealed in good time.   I was relieved, however, when many leaves dropped from the lemons.  This is a good sign because it means that the branch is alive and preparing to put out some new leaves.

So, cross your fingers for my citrus.  None of the rest of the dead stuff bothers me.  In fact it is a great time to collect Bidens alba seeds and clear out the beds!  Plus, I love to call my once prolific blooming hibiscus the funny, funny pun, Die-Biscus!

Here is the photo of the lemon tree, you can see parts that are certainly dead (had some insect damage before the freeze), and the rest of the green leaves, some on the tree, some starting do drop.  There is also one lemon, which it is time to pick – it is as good as it is going to get!