Hi, can you tell me why my limes keep dropping off my tree. I get lots of flowers and most of them start to form little limes and then suddenly fall off. I water every second day and also feed it. It is growing in a large pot. Your help would be appreciated. Pam.

Fruit drop is caused by stress – water (too much or too little), temperature (hot/cold extremes), nutrition problems and/or pest/disease problems. Some things to consider:

• How long as the tree been in the pot? It may need repotting, to replenish the growing media as it can become ‘hydrophobic’ – which means the mix actually repels water. Use good quality mix like Tui Pot Power.
• Have you fed the tree enough? For citrus in pots you need to take care to use a suitable fertiliser. Citrus are heavy feeders so need very regular fertiliser to keep the leaves dark green and glossy (no yellowing, curling or discoloured veins), with lots of new growth and fruit production. Use Tui Enrich Fruit, Citrus, Tree & Shrub controlled release fertiliser for citrus in pots, or Tui Citrus Food for trees planted in the ground.
• Are you watering deeply enough? There should be enough water applied that it leaks steadily from the drainage holes in the pot, so that the growing media is well drenched. Check the moisture levels on the day you don’t normally water by poking your finger down into the dirt. If it’s damp it doesn’t need more watering that day, but if it’s dry, you may need to move to daily watering.
• Is the tree exposed to cold snaps? Cover with protective cloth or move into a warm area if unseasonal cold spells/nights are expected.

Click here for more answers to your fruit questions >