Lemon Tree leaf curl

ok, I just read your OP again... so you have tried a handsoap garlic mix on the leaves... that is a common remedy for leaf curl and even aphids... I just looked up online more and there are other things other than aphids that can do this... [b'>Citrus Whitefly--a tiny white insect, 1/12 of an inch long. It is commonly found on the underside of the leaves--they also lay their eggs on the underside. the larva suck the sap from the leaves, leaving them curled and covered with a sticky substance. if you shake the branches they will start flying around the tree. Brown Soft Scale- they are tiiiny insects that attach themselves to the wood and foliage (sometimes the fruit) and will look like part of the tree that are waxy bumps, but these are the insects. they also suck the sap from the tree and leave a sticky substance. These cause the leaves to first turn yellow and then drop. [/b'> Here is one answer I found to the problem--If the infestation is small, you can use 70% rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball or cotton swap and wipe it on the scale/aphids, though you'll have to repeat weekly for many weeks as new insects hatch (and any that you missed the week before reproduce). You can also try insecticidal soaps if you'd like. I just bought one of the organic insecticides from Organic Foods and Cafe (sorry I was out and on my phone so I had to wait till I got home to let you know what product) It is called: Biogrow Organic Insecticide Pyrol it has an organge label.. and it is made from plant oils. There was another organic insecticide there too...maybe a yellow label? you may want to compare... I think that one was a soap based one but can't remember--but the back of the one I got (Pyrol) lists citrus as one of the crops it can be used on. I dont' remember if it lists citrus on the other one so double check. anyhow, the small 250ml bottle was 31 DHS and its a concentrate that you have to dilute so the one bottle should be plenty for several treatments on young citrus trees. go get it now as it says not to use once temperatures go above 30C. those temperatures are going to be here pretty soon... hopefully at least a month away as I need more time for my tomato plants LOL though I also think aphids don't live very long in those high temps so hopefully the leaves survive! do you us mulch on the top of the soil of your citrus plants? While I have heard some people say its ok to use mulch with citrus I have heard more opinions you should not--maybe you can for citrus plants planted in the ground, but it should be away from the trunk... potted citrus trees should not be mulched. there probably is another reason for the sticky substance that I just don't know yet... but so far from researching to grow lemon trees I have found that most other problems that cause leaf curl do not leave the sticky residue.. <em>edited by Abaddon on 09/03/2011</em>

Oooh I am so sorry I forgot about this post! I hope you already found the source of your problem... from seeing that you say you find a sticky substance on the curled leaves, it really sounds like aphids... though I don't know for sure they are in UAE... Aphids leave behind a sticky substance behind on the leaves. and they are most active in the weather temperatures we are having right now. They sell organic concentrates to combat aphids in Organic Foods & Cafe... You will need a spray bottle also. you can also look up online for home remedies... There are some that you mix i think its murphy's soap and oil... though I dont know the amounts to mix.