Question about pruning citrus (Meyer lemon specifically)

Discussion in 'Citrus' started by Ray from PA, Jul 27, 2009.

  1. Ray from PA

    Ray from PA Active Member

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    Feasterville, PA, USA Zone 6b
    I've read around here that a citrus tree (Meyer lemon in this case) will not flower until it has the appropriate number of nodes, so pruning will forever delay production of fruit. However, what if you prune after flowering?

    Let's say for example a citrus needs 100 nodes to begin flower production. If the citrus hits 100 and starts flowering, then you prune it back to 90, will it stop flowering until it gets back to 100? Or will it always remain a flowering tree after hitting it's node mark, regardless of pruning?
     
  2. Millet

    Millet Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    A citrus tree, that was started from seed, including your Meyer Lemon, is a juvenile tree, not capable of fruiting, until the tree has grown the required number of nodes to become mature. Using your example of requiring 100 nodes to reach maturity, if you prune the tree back below node 100, the tree will no long fruit, until it has once again reached the required node count. The reason is because the entire tree below the required maturity node is juvenile, and will always stay juvenile, as long as the tree lives. The lower portion of a seedling tree, the part of the tree beneath the required maturity node, will forever remain a juvenile tree, and therefore that portion will never bloom. One big draw back of a seedling tree, is that they only fruit on the top portion of the tree. Therefore, seedling trees are difficult to harvest. - Millet (1,269-)
     
  3. Ray from PA

    Ray from PA Active Member

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    I just got an e-mail from Monrovia and they told me that all of their trees are grafted onto Carrizo Citrange rootstock. Does that still mean it's a seedling?
     
  4. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

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    That is true for their dwarf Meyer lemon trees. The choice of rootstock depends on the scion variety. For example, their dwarf Campbell Valencia orange is on Flying Dragon rootstock.

    If your tree is from Monrovia, then it is not a seedling. They sell trees that are rooted cuttings as well as ones that are grafted. In either case you're dealing with mature wood. As you can see from this page, Meyer lemon is available in both dwarf and standard forms.
     

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