Like almost all citrus plants, the lemon tree is susceptible to diseases and pest infestation. Plant sap-sucking pests such as spider mites mainly occur when kept indoors.
How do you fight spider mites on the lemon tree?
To combat spider mites on the lemon tree, spray the tree several times with a soap solution, preferably potash soap. Be careful not to let the soapy water get into the soil. If the infestation is severe, the use of chemical agents may be necessary. Prevention is possible through regular spraying and cool wintering.
Red citrus spider mite mainly attacks indoor lemons
If you notice a lot of bright spots on the leaves of your lemon tree, it is most likely an infestation with the red citrus spider mite. The adult arachnids are only about 0.5 millimeters long and usually sit on the undersides of the leaves, where they tap into the plant's pathways and suck out plant sap. You can recognize a severe infestation by the characteristic webs that can spread under the leaves, in the leaf axils and up to the shoot tips. At this stage, the tree is most likely already in the process of shedding leaves. You should always be suspicious of leaf shedding and look for the cause.
Prevention is better than treatment
Spider mites prefer to attack lemon trees kept indoors, as the animal prefers dry air. Even improperly wintered - i.e. H. Lemons that have been overwintered too warm and too dark are often affected; after all, heating air dries out the already dry indoor air in winter. Since prevention is known to be more useful than cure, you can prevent the animals in the following ways:
- Put out the lemon tree in summer
- Spray indoor lemons regularly with water from a spray bottle
- Alternatively, you can also gently shower the plant (but put protective film around the pot and soil)
- Overwinter plant in a cool place
- Avoid waterlogging, i.e. H. Do not water the plant excessively
- Waterlogging weakens the plant, which in turn becomes more susceptible to insect infestation
How to get rid of spider mites
Sooner or later, however, every lemon tree gets hit at some point: spider mites! Did you discover the annoying little animals early on - i.e. H. There are only a few so far - it should be enough to spray or shower the tree with a soap solution for several days in a row. Make sure that the soapy water does not get into the soil - this could damage the tree. Potassium soap is particularly suitable for this purpose. In the case of a severe infestation, the only solution is usually a chemical club, although this is necessary due to the potentially severe damage to the tree. To prevent things from getting that far, you should check your lemon tree for pest infestation at least once a week - only then can you react in a timely manner. Spider mites tend to appear in summer.
Tips & Tricks
If your lemon tree is sticking, there are also harmful insects behind it - but they are usually scale insects or other plant sap-sucking lice.