Blood Orange Poor Fruiting and Sooty Mold: Shade, Water, Neem

4-year-old blood orange in Spring Hill, FL (shady spot): last year 6 fruit, this year many blooms but most fruitlets dropped at marble size. Leaves turning black. No insects seen.

Diagnosis

Black leaves = sooty mold from poor air circulation, insufficient water, ants farming honeydew producers.

Regimen

• Water 3 inches/week (skip if still wet).
• Neem oil—fungicide, miticide, repels chewing/sucking insects, aids pollination.
• No mulch under tree.
• Shade reduces yield but fruit still possible; avoid overwatering in shade.