1st question:

I know enough to remove any growth that appears beneath a bud union. But what about those 3 or 4 foot long succulant branches that grow on my Meyer lemons and Ponkan tangerines?

Should I simply pinch back the tips in the hopes of producing a nicely shaped tree, cut them back to 1/3rd of the length or remove them entirely?

2nd Question:

I have a Ruby Grapefruit about 8-9 feet tall. The foliage is very dense and I doubt that I can get sufficient spray coverage (copper + oil) to avoid sooty mold. I am used to apple trees where pruning to encourage "openness" is the rule. Should I be concerned - and if so when is the best time to prune?

Gotta love that citrus - 3 Ponkans, 2 Orlandos, 2 Honeybells, 2 Meyers, 1 Satsuma, 1 Ruby Grapefruit, 1 Sombokan & 1 Buddha's Hand.

Dale

Citrus generally do not need pruning. In most cases, the tree will balance itself over time and develop its charactistic shape--like arching limbs for satsuma and upright for Ponkan.

One way to reduce sooty mold is to keep the bugs that feed it from getting started--aphids, whiteflies, scale.

Any citrus pruning is mainly devoted to thinning and opening the canopy for light penetration as well as to keeping the canopy low. Citrus tree growth is upright in most varieties. A fruitful branch tends to bend and produce new sprouts. Some of these sprouts are too vigorous and discourage the growth of other lateral stems. The only pruning on young trees should be to eliminate the central leader branch. After a few years, depending on the speed of tree growth, climate and cultural practices, a selective canopy thinning may be carried out The choice of branches to eliminate is based on the concept that any space within the canopy must be covered by only one branch. It is not convenient to let surplus branches occupy the same aerial space. Anyway, thinning must not deplete any canopy sector. Suckers should ONLY be kept if they occupy free spaces. After a few years they bear fruit, but ALL INTERIOR suckers MUST be cut. A harmonious citrus tree grows to an almost round shape (globe). Vegetation free canopy spaces must be avoided since they reduce yield. Pruning is either practiced rarely or not at all. After many years crops become reduced and fruits become smaller. This is the time to make severe cuts to renew growth. - Millet