Mutant Clementine?

Discussion in 'Citrus' started by AZ Dan, Sep 24, 2009.

  1. AZ Dan

    AZ Dan Member

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    We puchased a small 20 gal Clementine from Lowes last Spring, planted it in full sun during an Arizona summer, and believe it or not, it's going to make it.

    My question is though, off of the main shoot, are 3 shoots which have outgrown and surpassed the original stem and are actually taller than the apical meristem. What's even weirder is that these 3 shoots have thorns on the stems (the original doesn't) and the leaves are different.

    Now we've never grown a citrus tree before, let alone a Clementine, but can someone please tell me if this is normal growth?

    Thank you much
     
  2. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

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    If yours is a grafted tree, what you could be seeing is growth from the rootstock. Is the growth below the graft union? Are the leaves trifoliate or 3-lobed? If so, then rootstock is confirmed.
     
  3. Laaz

    Laaz Active Member 10 Years

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    They could also be water sprouts. Water sprouts will produce thorns and are very vigorous and the leaves are usually double the size of normal leaves. From what I know AZ does not "normally" use trifoliata as a rootstock as it does not do well in desert conditions. Most of the AZ citrus is on sour orange.
     
  4. AZ Dan

    AZ Dan Member

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    I included some pictures.


    4.JPG


    1.JPG


    2.JPG
     
  5. AZ Dan

    AZ Dan Member

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    Okay, looking further into the C-35 Rootstock, I've learned that this is a Citrus x insitorum rootstock. So please correct me if I am wrong... clementine branches were grafted onto this C-35 rootstock, then it appears I am getting growth from the Clementine and the rootstock. Should I prune the rootstock?
     
  6. Laaz

    Laaz Active Member 10 Years

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    Dan that is the rootstock and needs to be removed. It is either citrange or swingle. If you don't remove it, it will take over.
     
  7. Laaz

    Laaz Active Member 10 Years

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    The circle looks like your bud union, anything below must always be removed asap.
     

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  8. AZ Dan

    AZ Dan Member

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    Thanks, all pruned up. I probably missed a whole season of growth since the root stock accounted for the large 4 branches in the 3rd picture above... I should have researched it sooner. Thanks again.
     
  9. L R Harner

    L R Harner Member

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    would that mean you got more root stock also in the growth
    so maybe next spirt will be stronger leaf
     
  10. mikeyinfla

    mikeyinfla Active Member

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    i agree with l r you would have got more root growth with the vigourous growth of the rootstock now that energy can go into the scion however you will have to keep a closer eye on the plant now somtimes when it starts suckering it will keep trying to do that. i would get the suckers off as fast as you see them
     

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