I am starting some citrandarins from seed. I've read that with this particular citrus hybrid at least 50% of its seedlings could be zygotic.

So if I want clones, as I observe its seedlings, shall I assume I should throw out all the seedlings that are single plants -- those that have only one sprout per seed?

And shall I keep only the seeds that are putting out multiple sprouts per seed?

But it seems to me I can't be assured that one of the multiple sprouts isn't zygotic. One of them MIGHT be a zygotic plant, correct?

So now my question is, what is the best way to tell if any of the sprouts are zygotic?

Should I be able to tell by comparing plant size and vigor? Or do I wait until plants get larger and look for other differences like leaf shape? What if leaf shape differences are so subtle that one can't tell?

Are there any other ways to tell?

Or is one NEVER completely sure without doing a DNA test of some kind or waiting until it has borne fruit???

What I have found is that most hybrid citrus does come true.

ilyaC

Thanks for posting photos of a good example!

All you can do is grow extra than what you think you will need, if the rate of off types is 50%, you will need to plant twice as many seed as your required rootstocks. With Citranges + Citrumelos etc, the variation will be anything from more more Trifoliata like to more Citrus like. more vigorous to less vigorous.
In the middle will be a fairly uniform type, about same height, thickness, leaf shape, thorn length etc, which will be suitable as rootstocks.
You probably need the plants to be 6 to 12 inches tall to grade them, although some will stand out before.
Any off types that are equally vigorous, I would use anyway.
Any interesting types I would keep, especially single leaf 2nd gen Citranges.