This was my beautiful Ruby red grapefruit tree. Problem was I hate grapefruit.



So I did this to it.



But I think I will be happy in the end. I grafted it so one branch will be a Page, one Ponkan, one persian Lime, and the rest is HB pummelo. I left two branches of ruby red for now. Eventually it will probably be down to one branch of the ruby red. Just one branch from this tree probably gives at least 2 dozen grapefruit which is plenty for my wife. Thanks JoeReal for the grafting thread. Looks like I will have a 100% take.

It looks like you've done a nice job of topworking. But I see you are listed as being in Florida. So I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but realize that any scion grafted to grapefruit will decline and eventually die, if the tree has citrus tristeza virus. And since perhaps 70% or more of all Florida trees DO have that virus already, and those that don't likely soon will, since it is spread freely by aphids, your scions are not likely to thrive for long. Even if only one of the scion varieties you've introduced was infected, the virus will move, in less than one season, to all of the tree. Grapefruit as a scion is tolerant, as long as the rootstock is also tolerant. But now grapefruit is serving as an interstock, so movement of photosynthate from the scions to the root system of the tree will be inhibited. IF you leave a good-size branch of grapefruit on the tree, and IF it is able to make enough photosynthate to supply the entire root system, you may be ok. But I would always discourage topworking onto grapefruit in Florida.

The other problem you may have (if your State inspector inspects your trees for greening and canker) is the fact that it is illegal to propagate citrus in Florida, other than in certified nurseries' greenhouses. So they may cut down the tree and fine you. On the other hand, perhaps you don't have an inspector who actually visits -- it depends a lot on where you're located. Here in Lakeland, they visit several times a year, and they do keep notes on any changes in your tree count or new propagations.

I do hate to be a stick in the mud, but those are realistic things to be considered here.

Malcolm

Well that is depressing to hear about the virus. I had never heard that before. I guess I'll just see what happens. I will definitely not remove that other grapefruit branch like I was planning on now. Hopefully those two good sized branches will be enough.

Am I not allowed to even graft with scions from other citrus in my own yard? All of the trees that the scions came from are planted in my backyard as well. I did not bring any wood from an outside source. I just wanted to get more of the citrus that I actually like out of my backyard trees. I currently have 3 page, one lime, one ponkan, one orlando tangelo (that may be toast after this winter) and a satsuma in my yard aside from this grapefruit.

To be picky (and as you know, government agencies are good at that), no, you can't legally propagate any citrus, by any means, for any reason, within Florida, unless you have a certified citrus nursery permit, which requires positive-pressure, psyllid-proof greenhouses, and both rootstock seeds and scion sticks grown in such greenhouses from state-certified source trees, as starting material. Then the entire propagation process must occur within such a greenhouse, with frequent inspections and testing for disease.

What about seedling volunteers? I have numerous calamondin, marumi kumquats, and flying dragon seedlings coming up under the mother trees. Am I required to destroy them? Or can I let them continue to grow?

i read the basic citrus regulations and the only limits i see on moving plant parts or even fruit is it cannot be moved out of florida or into florida from another state .i would think you can propagate citrus for personal use as long as its on you're own property, but if you want to sell the trees than it gets into the certifications and all that thats the way i read it any ways heres the link to the regs

http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/chrp/regulations.html

Malcolm Manners is 100 percent correct, a home owner cannot propagate his own citrus. Citrus can only be done in a screened positive pressure structure according to he following regulations. - Millet (1,016-)

http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/plantinsp/ojs_requirements.html

The rules are absolute. No propagation by anyone, for any reason, in any location, by any means, except in certified and licensed citrus nurseries.

That's really harsh, I'll scratch Florida off my possible move to list.

there are 5 walmarts within 5 miles of my house two lowes within 6 miles 2 homedepots within 6 miles and 20 plus nurseries within 20 miles that all sell citrus and none of them are grown in any kind of structure that keeps any insects off them they are not propagating them but still they are in the open air not under any structures. i stand just as much of a chance propably more chance of bringing in a disease from buying one of those trees that a free flying insect bit into or chewed on that might have been infected than i do of spreading a disease from any of the plants already on my property that i have grafted. i have a few experiments going that i am not going to stop they where started before the new regs came out and no new citrus has been brought here. i am not going to run all over the state collecting bud wood from a bunch of trees but if its already on my property its fair game. i know i cannot legally propigate and sale any of them or even give them away but most of the people that have citrus and can graft are going to do it no mater what there state says not saying its right but not like all there regulations are right either

>>>> The rules are absolute. No propagation by anyone, for any reason, in any location, by any means, except in certified and licensed citrus nurseries.

Man that IS harsh. That should be printed somewhere. I read the regulations that Millet linked to. They don't define WHO it applies to, like the other regs (attempt to) do. Statements like Propagation Nursery and Citrus Nursery can be used interchangeably referring to commercial outfits only or a generic location where the activity is performed or trees are stored (like backyards).

Ah well, I was just curious, don't go chasing down the regs for me since I don't even live there.

Quote:

Mark_T wrote: I'll scratch Florida off my possible move to list.

LOL.

Many do consider it harsh and unreasonable. It has certainly limited us in our teaching at FSC -- our greenhouses are not certified.

But it does seem to be the only way to eliminate nursery stock as a method of moving greening around. And while many here have said they would no longer buy Fla. nursery trees (a moot point now, since they can't leave the state), I think the regs have resulted in virtually guaranteeing that our nursery stock is totally clean, at least as of the moment it leaves the nursery. I, too, have wondered about the Walmart specials -- sitting there in the open. But even they are likely relatively safe, for several reasons:
1. They were clean to start with
2. They likely have been treated with imidacloprid
3. Psyllids are really stupid insects. They don't move around much, and they avoid barriers. So the screen, fence, or other structure around the garden center (and the fact that it is not likely located next to a commercial grove) will substantially lessen the likelihood of psyllids finding those trees.
4. Murraya paniculata, the preferred host for psyllids (and formerly a Walmart/Lowes/Home Depot staple) has virtually disappeared from the market, since it now also has to be produced by citrus-certified nurseries, and they are not bothering to do so.

Of course that's no guarantee, but it's good enough that the State has chosen not to further restrict sales under such conditions.

Malcolm

Heavy handed indeed. But the public health analogy may be legit. After all, you wouldn't want your children going to kindergarden with kids who had not been vaccinated.

Too bad there aren't vaccines for citrus virii.