I recently purchased a Miho Satsuma from Lowes. The graft appears to be an Approach Graft or Across Graft. (It seems I read about that in some book). Anyway the plant about 3 feet tall has two root systems and is joined about 6 inches from the soil level - apparently grafted - like an X.
When I purchased this one, there were 8 or 9 others just like it. It makes for a nice bushy tree, but what is the purpose of this graft ? The nursery is a well known nursery in Texas, and, the tree appeared to be well taken care of - nice gree leaves, etc. AND the price was right. Anyone have any ideas?

Bill

In the tropics, that is sometimes a very good approach to hard to graft species. It is similar to inarching based on how you described it. It has a very high chance of take but very tedious to do.

I believe the original Parent Washington Navel was saved in this way (inarching).

http://ecoport.org/perl/ecoport15.pl?SearchType=slideshowView&slideshowId=79&checkRequired=Y

Wow that was some story!! Thanks for shareing the link Lazz!!
Gina *BabyBlue*

I didnt read the whole story, but what of it I read was neat- does the alternaria just stop at the roots? it doesnt travel up the trunk and kill the plant? Are the own roots completely gone? do you need that many crosses on the bottom to provide stability?

That was a fascinating link. It took me two days to read it all ( in between interruptions) Thanks Todd, for posting that info. Ive enjoyed my share of Washington Navels from California. They have a different flavor and even a different look than those from Florida. Thanks again!