Wow ! I hope you get some responses, because both my lemon and orange tree look just like this.

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papito,

Thank you for the advice. I do believe I have the citrus leaf miner. But I'm not too sure the fruit has the citrus canker. But, like you, I'm not too sure either.

Do you know what I can use to get rid of it? I saw on the website that you posted the other person used a commercial insecticide called Dynamek (?). Can I get that at a local feed store or nursery? If not, where can I get commercial grade insecticide? Thanks for the help.

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CajunMama
"Sing praises to the Lord..." Psalm 9:11

thanx snowwolf,

I do believe it is the citrus leaf miners, and I'm more and more convinced that it might be citrus canker on the fruits. yuck. I just want to eat my poor oranges...

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CajunMama
"Sing praises to the Lord..." Psalm 9:11

Definitely leaf miner. However, the damage they do is really only to make the leaves look a bit weird. It doesn't actually cause harm to the tree. It can be prevented by spraying with a pestoil when new growth emerges. Don't do this on hot days or the leaves will burn.

I reckon the problem with the markings on the fruit is just a symptom and can be helped by a basic need which i'll bet you aren't providing....

So, citrus will drop their fruit mainly because of a change in moisture availability. If it's very dry and you get rain, the fruit will drop. If it's been nice and wet then the summer gets super hot and no rain. The fruit will drop. The trees stress with these sudden variations.

I think the answer is actually in your fotos.
I see there is grass underneath the canopy. If this is the case, then therein lies your problem.
Grass and citrus need the same things. They both require the near surface nutrient. They both have shallow root systems and so they are in direct copmpetition with each other.

My suggestion is to mulch your trees out to the dripline. At least. A little further is great. You need to get rid of that grass under the canopy. It's stealing all the nutrient and also the soil temps are way too variable because they have no protection. This can be done by simply mowing the grass short, spreading chicken manure pellets, blood and bone meal, citrus fert, whatever your fert of choice. Covering it with newspaper or cardboard and burying the lot under 8" or so of well aged mulch. Then water it really well. Fertilise regularly thru the growing season and maintain a constant soil moisture and the next crop will be yours.

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The secret is the soil.

"I'm going to take the grass out and fert and mulch the area and see if that is all that I need to do"
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If you are going to actually remove the grass, be very careful of the tree roots. They are near the surface. Consider using the method i outlined above. Just burying the grass under fert and mulch. Far less work and it will leave the rootsystem undamaged.

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The secret is the soil.

Longy,
I will definitely just add the mulch/fert on top of the grass as you mentioned how to do. I have noticed that I can see some of the roots exposed at the surface, so I will have to add mulch and not just take the grass away. Again, thank you.

njoynit,
I didn't know about the "spanking" with a 2x4 with citrus trees. I've heard of using it with pecan trees, (and boy does it work with pecan trees!) but I've never heard of "spanking" a citrus tree. Curious. What is neem oil? I've not heard of it before. What is it used for, what does it do, and where do I get it? Thanx!

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CajunMama
"Sing praises to the Lord..." Psalm 9:11