Does anyone know if Kabosu and Shikwasa (Shekwasa) will grow true to seed? Someone was nice enough to send me the seeds from Japan and I am now wondering if they are polyembryonic or monoembryonic...

Regardless, they are on the heating pad already.

I'd recommend you destroy all the illegal seeds you imported from Japan. Did you hear about the guy who got caught recently importing citrus cuttings from Japan? They tested positive for citrus canker. He got prison time.

I dunno, Malcolm Manners just said (thread next to this) that seeds don't carry disease. The guy arrested brought cuttings back which tested positive.

Seed is not illegal, budwood is.

Hi Mr Texas,

Just re-checked on the CFDA site...

"The entry into California of the Plants, Fruits and Vegetables listed below is regulated ....

All plant parts of all species of Citrus, Fortunella, Poncirus, Aeglopsis, and Afraegle, except seed. For Florida only, all plant parts of all plants in the family Rutaceae, except seed."

Already gently bathed them in 5% bleach solution before I planted.(Thank you for the tip Malcom)

Seeds are A-OK for California Import.

I think the importation or exportation of SEED is legally permitted. The plant of course is not. - Millet

citrusboy, regarding the original subject of this thread...
What did you find out about your kabosu seedlings? Did they come out true to type? Mono or poly?

One other point--regulations on import of seeds has changed--in Florida I know for sure, but I believe it has changed in other states as well since it is now believed that greening can be transmitted in seeds.

Hi Fofoca,

I have 5 Kabosu seedlings and 3 of them have multiple stems. They are still pretty tiny. Maybe 1" tall.

Marc

Wow, Marc, that sounds like a real patience-testing project! However, I'll be trying it too if I find some fruit in the market this fall. Please keep us informed of your progress with the little guys.
Thanks,
fofoca

Citrusboy meant that kabosu is polyembryonic. That is it is true-to-type.

Yes, Sylvain, that's the good part... the slow growth is the patience-inducing part!

This is actually my 3rd set of Kabosu seedlings. The ones from Japan all died when I moved them from inside to outside. (I didn't slowly move them from shade to full sun) The 2nd set from UC Riverside all died when I moved them from Inside to outside. (This time I did slowly move them from Shade to full sun, but apparently not slow enough)

The 3rd set from UC Riverside I just chucked in a pot and left outside and watered. 5 of the 14 sprouted.

And yes, now the waiting begins.

While I'm deeply sympathetic about your losses (been there many times myself), at least it hasn't taken 3 years for them to grow 1", so this is good news!

Note to self: throw into a pot outside.

The Shekwasa seedlings I grew from seed turned out highly uniform, so much so I used them as rootstocks. The King mandarin seedlings grown from the same location came out fairly variable, including some probable King/Shek hybrids.