Citrus Growers Forum

Darkman · Posted: Mon 02 Aug, 2010 9:55 pm

I have sorted through most of my planting list and I am starting to consider layout and my available space. I also need to consider how long each one takes to mature and produce quality fruit. I'm 53 so I'm not going to be planting any seedling grapefruit trees. I also have to consider how different rootstock will effect the speed of growth. I used to think that using a dwarfing rootstock like Flying Dragon would only limit the overall size but now I have read that the tree will achieve almost the same size as non dwarfing rootstock, it will just take a lot longer. If that is true, then it stands to reason that the tree will achieve maturity at a later date delaying the quality fruiting. What is the truth here? I need my trees to produce as quickly as they can. I plan to irrigate, feed and be proactive with tree management, all so that I can pick that quality fruit. So what is the most important things I need to to accomplish my goal?

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Charles in Pensacola

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jrb · Posted: Tue 03 Aug, 2010 12:13 am

Darkman wrote:

I also have to consider how different rootstock will affect the speed of growth. I used to think that using a dwarfing rootstock like Flying Dragon would only limit the overall size but now I have read that the tree will achieve almost the same size as non dwarfing rootstock, it will just take a lot longer. If that is true, then it stands to reason that the tree will achieve maturity at a later date delaying the quality fruiting. What is the truth here?

I am no expert and I cannot answer most of your questions but I know that tree size does not correspond absolutely with fruit quality. Often a less vigorous rootstock like Flying Dragon will produce higher quality fruit and produce it sooner than a more vigorous rootstock but the size of the tree and quantity of fruit will be smaller. The size of the fruit might be smaller too.

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Jim

John Bonzo · Posted: Tue 03 Aug, 2010 12:44 am

Darkman wrote:

...then it stands to reason that the tree will achieve maturity at a later date delaying the quality fruiting. What is the truth here?

The scion that has been budded or grafted to the rootstock has already reached maturity (maturity meaning: the ability to flower and thus fruit, the opposite of juvenile), so rootstock choice has nothing to do with the maturity of the scion.

I think that a better criteria for rootstock choice would be cold tolerance, disease resistance, and what grows best in your environment. Since you are in 8b/9a zone (like I am), and some cold resistance will inevitably be needed, then one of the trifoliate oranges would be the best choice since they help a little with cold tolerance.

(I know that trifoliate orange is not used in the Texas Rio Grande Valley because of high salinity...not sure what the case is in the Florida Panhandle.)

mrtexas · Posted: Tue 03 Aug, 2010 12:50 am

You can control the size of the flying dragon rootstock tree by withholding fertilizer. Just enough and you get fruit, more and you get growth.