The exotic Calamondin trumps other citrus plants with its undemanding care, which doesn't pose any problems even for beginner citrus gardeners. If the evergreen Citrus mitis does shed its leaves, there are usually three reasons responsible for this. You can find out what these are and how to fix the problem here.
Why is my Calamondin losing its leaves?
A calamondin loses leaves due to lack of light, waterlogging or dryness. To improve the condition, choose a bright location, avoid waterlogging by reducing watering or provide the root ball with sufficient moisture in dry conditions.
Cause No. 1: Lack of light
Your Calamondin is a sun worshiper. As long as it can catch the sun's rays on the balcony in the garden throughout the summer, the leaves will stay in place. Under the influence of reduced lighting conditions in winter, the evergreen citrus plant sheds its leaves to protect itself.
Leaf fall primarily occurs when there is no south-facing window or bright winter garden available as a location for overwintering. As soon as the lighting conditions improve in spring, the ornamental tree puts on its foliage again.
Cause No. 2: Waterlogging
Does your Calamondin stay in a bright location and still lose its leaves? Then subject the root ball to a close inspection. Although evaporation in living spaces continues in winter, the need for watering is significantly reduced compared to summer. Where the water supply is not modified accordingly, waterlogging occurs. The roots soften and no longer transport water to the leaves, whereupon they fall off. How to act correctly:
- Unpotting the sodden root ball
- Remove the substrate completely
- Cut off rotten roots
Pot the Calamondin in fresh citrus soil. The addition of coconut fiber, fine grit or sand improves permeability. From now on, we recommend using a simple moisture meter (€39.00 on Amazon) to determine the actual water requirement.
Cause no. 3: ball dryness
If the water supply is reduced too much in the winter quarters, bales become dry. As the most important survival strategy during drought stress, a calamondin sheds its leaves. If you can identify this cause as the trigger for the problem, a water bath will solve the problem. Immerse the dried root ball in lime-free water until no more air bubbles appear.
Tip
If you can identify a lack of light as the cause of the leaf loss, please do not cut back the leafless branches too quickly. As soon as your Calamondin can enjoy the sun again in spring and summer, the leaves will sprout.
