Hi everyone, I purchased a number of trees (4) from Four Winds Growers in CA. last year, and recently inquired about the type of rootstock used. I was surprised to learn that three of the four trees are on Cuban Shaddock. I've done some research, but there does not seem to be much detailed information available on it. In the absence of contacting Four Winds directly, does anyone know why Cuban Shaddock would be used rather than Flying Dragon, etc? Thanks

The Cuban Lemon, also known as Cuban Shaddock, because the fruit's appearance looks like a Shaddock is actually related closer to lemon or the citron; probably a lemon-citron hybrid, according to "The Citrus Industry" volume II. Anyway, the Cuban "Shaddock" is a vigorous root stock, but produces a dwarfed exceptionally early blooming scion. Four Winds calls it the "true dwarf" rootstock. It is a very good root stock, and in some ways better than Flying Dragon, because it produces faster, yet the scion stays dwarf. When your tree's understock flushes a sucker, you might let it grow large enough then root it for use later as a rootstock. It is a good rootstock. - Millet

But is no where near as cold hardy as Flying Dragon.

Lazz - What you say is TRUE. I forgot about that, thank you for bringing it up, as that is very important for CanesFan to know. - Millet

Thank you for the replies so far - in the limited information I was able to find here is an excerpt from an article by Robert Willard Hodgson, "Horticultural Varieites of Citrus", ch 4:

"Cuban (Cuban Shaddock or Lemon)
While the Cuban shaddock somewhat resembles the pummelo in appearance, most of the characters are those of the citron or lemon. As the name suggests, this fruit was introduced from Cuba, where it is referred to as a shaddock and for a time was recommended as a rootstock. It remains only a horticultural curiosity. "

Upon reading this I assumed it had fallen out of favor as a rootstock, for whatever reason. - maybe the tolerance to cold as Laaz has indicated.

Four Winds uses Cuban Shaddock a lot, and has for some time. Maybe, one reason is because of the uniformity of its seedlings, and the high percentage of nucellar embryos that it produces. - Millet

Shaddock is a fast growing rootstock. This is probably why they use it. Flying Dragon can take up to two years to make it to grafting size. In the business world of citrus, fast means more profits. They also mass produce for the CA citrus market which doesn't usually see a lot of freezing temps...

Thanks for this info. Perhaps those "True-dwarf" citruses sold by Home Depot and OSH over here in California have Cuban shaddock rootstocks.

I have one Calamondin bought from Costco way back in 1999, and it is labeled "True-dwarf" at that time. It is now 26 ft tall as I let it grow vertically to have bigger canopy volume to get more fruits and provide some privacy.

Is it safe to assume then that if I let the rootstock portion of my FWG trees grow a branch and it is not trifoliate, that it is Cuban Shaddock?

The rootstock on my FWG trees is very different from trees I have bought locally labled FlyingDragon for rootstock.

Where can I get some Cuban Shaddock seeds?

The trunk of a Cuban Shaddock rootstock, is pretty close to other " lemons" in appearance, ie light tan bark, and probably large for its age. Growth from the stock will be Citron like, mildly lemon scented.
Try Willits and Newcomb Citrus Nursery, CA wncitrus.com for seed.

Gene Lester sent me some seed of the Cuban Shaddock last spring. I left the seedlings outside planted in the ground this past winter. Every one of them is dead. Not cold hardy at all for our area and we only dropped to 23 F.

No Gene does not sell plants or seed & does not have a website.