Can lemons be polyembrionic (sp) I planted a few regular sunkist store lemoins and have 4 plants from one seed. It IS possible it could have been a lime seed that got mixed up... just pretty sure it was a lemon.

If they are not a poly seed... then we know either its a key lime or a mutant. Whichever it is... its one of my strongest rooted plants. the main tap root was 3 inches, coming out the bottom of the plant.

It does make sense its a lime though.. as NONE of my other lemons have spouted.

Opinons wanted.

Betty

I grew some lemons from store bought lemons and one of them had 3 plantlets. Only one survived out of the 3 and its doing fine right now.
Andi

arghh great. then more than likly lemon and lime got a bit mixed up.

Do you have any idea when I'll be able to tell lemon / lime trees apart?

As soon as you get true leaves you should be able to tell. Lemons have a completely different leaf than a lime.

ok, good. I really dont want to grow lemons from seed as I never know when I'll get fruit, if ever. thats why I did the key limes.

I did think it would be cool to try lemons.. just things got messed up.

Most my plants are trying to get their first true leaves now. Funny thing is... ALL my seedlings look so different. some have a little stem reaching out of the initial leaves with the true leaves starting from there... like a 1 inch stem out of the center 2 leaves. others, the true leaves are starting right at the first leaves.

Just have to see what all I get over the next few weeks

Citrus Canuck, yes, Lemon seed IS usually polyembrionic, two or more seedlings COMMONLY arise from each seed, and they are genetically identical to the parent. Citrus seedlings are easily liable to die from a disese called damping off, which is a bacerial disease caused by Rhizoctonia, so they must be watered with care and kept well ventilated. It is best to water in the mornings so the sun's rays can quickly dry off the soil surface, which helps prevent the disease. Good Luck - Millet

ok, I have several seedlings of decent size now. theres one thats definatly an odd ball. just based on leave shape. I could be wrong as a ot of the leaves, even on some of the same plants are different.

anyways, the one that is really different... I think may be one of the lemons that snuck in. the leaves are definatly more sharp, angled. Is that a sign it may be a lemon? my key limes are definatly more broad and rouded.

Hoping that if it is a lemon, to get it planted in its own container so I know what is what. I guess I'd know as they get even larger... but better to find out as much now as I could.

I could post pics if needed. basically the leaves are just thinner, longer , angled more han round and chubby like my limes. easy to get a pic up in the morning if need be

New growth on lemons has a red / purple tinge to it.

yes indeed it does. that was the strangest thing to me when my Meyer pushed out new growth. Im glad I wasnt imagining it!

even for a seedling thats just on its 4th true leaf?

If thats the case, guessing all I have are grapefruit and key limes. Sure curious why the leaves on this one are so incredibly different. I've also noticed today, the leaves are spiraled around the main stem. The others are in pairs going up the stem.

This is just so confusing

Hi Betty, seedlings really aren't confusing.
You just mentioned grapefruit...I thought it was a lemon????
The best way to identify (for me) a lime & lemon is to taste a piece of a leaf.
Patty

the only citrus leaf that I am tasting and eating is the Kaffir lime leaves, I would start trying others, the tasting part only.

Its the lemon or possibility of lemon seedlimgs that I dont know. I have my grapefruits in their own containers, easy to figure out.

Theres just the one seedling that looks SO uch different. I guess we'll find out in the next few sets of leaves. I'd try tasting them, but theres so few leaves, would really be hard to pull one off. So... we'll see what happens

I just dont get why allll my seedlings look the same, even the grapefruit looks like the key limes. Only way I can see a difference is that I planted them after and they had their own container.

Heck, even looking at adult citrus trees, I've yet to notice many differences. I think what I'll definatly be doing next week at the citrus nursery is to pay attention to the leaf, flower differences. try and learn as much as I can