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I want to develop a citrus
Posted: February 3rd, 2017, 10:03 pm
by zimzallabim
I need some help making some decisions
So o wanted to use a Cumquat as a bonsai, but I saw one of these which I really like
A native lime with a small orange fruit and it had nice small leaves. The one I saw at the nursery I couldn't see a graft point on it like the one in that photo.
I guess I want to answer the following.
1. I am not set on a certain style, up for suggestions.
2. I am thinking growing it in the ground initially is best???
3. Would I trunk chop it low straight away? Leave trunk long amd do severe bending?
4. Is this a dumb idea and should I just stop lol
Basically I just want some ideas then I'll go and execute
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Re: I want to develop a citrus
Posted: February 3rd, 2017, 10:07 pm
by The Surgeon
what ever you do, you need to be cognisant of where the tree is grafted.
the point below the graft is a different species to the tree above the graft.
good luck
Re: I want to develop a citrus
Posted: February 3rd, 2017, 10:20 pm
by zimzallabim
Yes I get that thanks [SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]
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Re: I want to develop a citrus
Posted: February 4th, 2017, 2:20 pm
by shibui
I have found citrus to be difficult to grow in pots. I only have one native finger lime so far but it is also not doing really well in a training pot.
Native citrus are mostly from warmer parts of Aust so may be more difficult down south.
Native citrus can be grown as cuttings but are usually grafted onto Poncirus trifoliata root stock which grows better in cooler, wetter climates. As the others have said you will need to be aware of this if you intend to cut low. Also look out for 3 lobed leaves and spines on any shoots which grow close to the ground (shoots from rootstock)
Growing in the ground would be appropriate to develop the trunk a bit. Some citrus don't shoot particularly well from bare wood so I would be careful about letting it get too large before cutting back.
I'm not sure that severe bends would suit a citrus but that might be just because I have only been exposed to orchard trees that are carefully developed as upright plants. Let your intuition and the plant guide you on shaping. You will be among the first to grow this species as bonsai so making the rules is up to you.
It will be good to see some trials with these trees as bonsai.
Re: I want to develop a citrus
Posted: February 4th, 2017, 3:37 pm
by zimzallabim
Hmmm interesting
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Re: I want to develop a citrus
Posted: February 4th, 2017, 6:47 pm
by Joel
This is a hybrid between a native and an exotic. One of the parents is a finger lime which is a native that responds very well to bonsai culture in Sydney. I think you will have a very suitable plant for bonsai culture which will flower and fruit at even a small size. Good luck.
Re: I want to develop a citrus
Posted: February 4th, 2017, 6:55 pm
by zimzallabim
Awesome thanks [SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]
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Re: I want to develop a citrus
Posted: February 4th, 2017, 7:04 pm
by Pearcy001
A quick question about grafted trees being grown on in the ground if I can.
Is it a risk that the root stock will develop quicker/slower than the grafted material, in turn causing the graft union to become more pronounced?
I would have thought that stronger root stock may develop at a quicker rate than its weaker top half.
Hope you don't mind me asking on your thread Zim it just seemed relevant.
Cheers,
Pearcy.
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Re: I want to develop a citrus
Posted: February 4th, 2017, 7:08 pm
by zimzallabim
The lemon tree I have in the back yard I can't even see the graft it had when I planted it. Probably varies plant to plant.
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Re: I want to develop a citrus
Posted: February 26th, 2017, 9:42 pm
by zimzallabim
So I went down and had another look at the garden centre. Pretty sure they're grafted but I couldn't for the life of me see where the graft point was as it was very uniform all the way up the trunk. I didn't think to take pictures and I haven't dude coded to purchase as yet lol.
I'm wondering if I use some of these techniques...
https://youtu.be/TATm-uAcRJs
Either way it will go into a large tub on the back deck at first and I can do my vest to develop it from there. I'd like to try and avoid having to live with a stick in a pot for too long hahaha
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Re: I want to develop a citrus
Posted: February 26th, 2017, 9:44 pm
by zimzallabim
Re: I want to develop a citrus
Posted: February 26th, 2017, 10:15 pm
by wrcmad
This is a cracker I photographed a couple of weeks ago:
IMG_0398.JPG
Re: I want to develop a citrus
Posted: February 26th, 2017, 10:52 pm
by Max
Hi Wrcmad....amazing....what were the dimensions and type? looks like a mandarin
Re: I want to develop a citrus
Posted: February 26th, 2017, 11:00 pm
by wrcmad
no idea wrote:Hi Wrcmad....amazing....what were the dimensions and type? looks like a mandarin
It was around 100cm tall.
Yes, mandarin.

Re: I want to develop a citrus
Posted: February 27th, 2017, 9:45 am
by zimzallabim
Crazy awesome!
I feel that would be many years out of my reach though hahaha
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