My key lime is a patio plant and it started growing yellow mushrooms at base.

Question

I have a key lime patio tree and last year produced lots of fruit. This year it started growing yellow mushrooms at the base of the tree and I dig them out of pot and they come right back.  The small fruit is turning black and falling off. I am treating it the same as I did last year. This is the thrid summer I have had it. Can anyone tell me why it is happening and how to fix it?

Answer 1

the fungus is in the soil and it very difficult to get out once it has developed.  the mushrooms are the fungus and they drop spores so new ones develop the next year.  My suggestion would be to take the plant out of the pot and try to rinse off as much soil as possible with tepid water.  

If the plant has lost 1/2 of its foliage, you need to do a root prune to bring the plant back into balance.  Since the leaves are turning anyway, there is a posability you may loose it if you don't do something.  

It is always to trim the feeding roots along the outside of the root system each spring and transplant in new potting soil.  Lime also like to have a slighly acidic soil to produce well.  good luck