I have mostly seen Myer Lemon grown on it's own roots. I just budded some to trifoliate with the idea that they might do better as potted plants. I wondered if anyone has a opinion (foolish question on this forum!) as to what might work best as a rootstock for Myer, or would you think it is best to stick with rooted plants?

Ned

I would graft to rootstocks that are suitable to our soils, or are cold hardier than the grafted scion, or for dwarfing effect, and even for better anchorage.

A seedling rootstock is usually a lot better at anchoring a plant than a cutting anchoring it from its own roots. For me, that is reason enough to graft unto compatible seedling rootstock. The seedling rootstock could also be a Meyer. But I would prefer the trifoliate over it.

Thanks Joe. I have about came to the same conclusion. Here on the East coast, Myer is grown a lot on it's own roots, but I am beginning to suspect that some of the problems we have here with Myer are related to the root systems growers put them on, which consists mostly of going them on their own roots or grafting them to some sort of lemon rootstock.

Ned

I have one in the ground on its own roots which is now about 6 ft high & 6 ft wide. It has about 50 egg size lemons on it. I also have one grafted to volk lemon, it is potted & has 16 lemons about the same size but the tree is much smaller.

Glad you brought this up Ned. I have 2 meyers...one is grafted to I believe P Trifoliata & the other I THINK is grown from a cutting (possibly from seed but I don't think so). The cutting has a ton of branches & leaf growth & lemons up to over inch diam. Seems to have bigger roots. I rarely see blossoms on the grafted meyer. Seems cuttings (also cara cara) grow better for me but what could be the diff up here --esp. that they are all pot grown? Will the grafted one live longer? Aren't grafted trees mostly good for inground cold hardy? Thanks

Patty. Trees are grafted for a variety of reasons: hardiness, disease resistance, size control, fruit quality and so a multitude of other reasons. Of course, compatibility of rootstock/scion are a consideration too. For those of us in freeze prone areas, the adaptibility to cold conditions is of primary concern, thus the wide use of trifoliate and related rootstocks.

Lazz, I too have a Myer in the ground which is on it's own roots. It has been there 6 or 7 years and is doing fine, except that I have been wacking it back pretty often to keep it smaller (a battle I am losing). I think Volk is what most of the growers in FL graft them to and I think Volk is about as hardy as Myer (somebody correct me if I am wrong about that).

I am interested in this discussion because it gives me an idea of what others are experiencing in regard to Myer rootstock. It is much easy to grow the rooted cuttings and, if they do just as well like that, it makes growing them much easier. If they do better on a rootstock, I would like to know that too. Thanks for the comments.

Ned

Ned I don't see them growing any better on the volk. To tell the true the grafted meyer on volk keeps producing many more flower blooms, but almost no foliage growth. The meyer on it's own roots has a much better flower to foliage growth rate.

Also from what I'm told, volk is a great rootstock for lemon but not at all cold hardy.

Well, I'm convinced mine were rooted off of mature trees. They are very small & bushy & a lot of fruits, branches & leaves. The roots are also thicker. Wish all my grafted citrus could be like them. I still don't see an advantage to me having grafted citrus here in Wi. unless it keeps the plants smaller...but, so will growing them in a pot...right?!
If you'd like, I'll post a pic or 2 of the 2 cutting grown vs. the grafted -- next to @ other. Right now, I'd take a cutting of a mature citrus rather than grafted. Ned, take cuttings & root them & sell them. You could sell them cheaper & I think they're much better at fruiting - although smaller, good for containers.