Citrus Growers Forum

wwfe_avatar · Posted: Fri 28 May, 2010 9:37 am

Thanks very much! Very Happy

I will now have to wait a year or two for my rootstock to be mature. Sad

But hopefully time will go quickly. Smile

Thanks

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William

Skeeter · Posted: Fri 28 May, 2010 10:01 am

wwfe_avatar wrote:

http://img218.imageshack.us/i/img0619hm.jpg/

Here is a picture of my seedlings. Do they look possible for t-budding citrus onto (obviously when they are about pencil size)?

William

Yes, they will take a yr or so to get pencil size. One point--that seed with 2 plants coming out is an indication that the seedling is a true to type seedling--it is polyembryonic and at least one of those 2 is an exact copy of the mother plant.

However, if any of those other seeds are from a Meyer Lemon, they will not be true.

Where are you from? (you could edit your profile and add that info). Depending on where you are some of the members here may be able to send you some mature budwood.

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Skeet

wwfe_avatar · Posted: Fri 28 May, 2010 9:38 pm

I am from Australia, New South Wales. Very Happy

I am wondering if the seed isn't an exact copy of the mother plant (as you said) will it effect its potential of being a rootstock? And also can i graft two buds onto the one plant when it is about pencil size?

Thanks Very Happy

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William

Skeeter · Posted: Fri 28 May, 2010 10:08 pm

With poly-embryonic seedlings, you know at least one if not all of the seedlings are an exact copy of the parent--it is possible that the second seedling is a zygotic seedling and it's characteristics would be unknown. If all of the seeds cam from the same plant, then most if not all of the seedlings will be a copy of the parent.

As for it's suitability as a rootstock, it depends on the qualities you are after. Most rootstocks are chosen for their disease resistance, suitability for various soils and vigor. Chances are it will do OK, it may not be the best or most vigorous rootstock, but you are not depending on it for an orchard.

As for grafting 2 different varieties--that will work fine--and you can add other varieties later as those varieties get large enough to graft.

My lemon has almost a dozen varieties.

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Skeet

wwfe_avatar · Posted: Sat 29 May, 2010 2:30 am

Thanks Skeeter

But I was wondering about what you said about how one of them is true. Is there an advantages of using a true rootstock over a non-true rootstock (in performance)?

Thanks

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William

Skeeter · Posted: Sat 29 May, 2010 9:47 am

The advantage is that you know what it's characteristics are--if it is vigorous, disease resistant, grows well in your type soil.

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Skeet

wwfe_avatar · Posted: Sat 29 May, 2010 10:08 am

Thanks for everyones helpful replies (especially Skeeter). Very Happy

Regards

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William