Q. This year I noticed branches growing from the base of
my orange tree and the branches have sharp thorns on them. Should they be
pruned from the tree?
my orange tree and the branches have sharp thorns on them. Should they be
pruned from the tree?
A. The branches growing from the base of your tree
probably are shoots arising from the rootstock; common name, “suckers”. Let’s
use your orange tree as an example but it could be other citrus as well such as
limes, grapefruit, lemon, etc.
probably are shoots arising from the rootstock; common name, “suckers”. Let’s
use your orange tree as an example but it could be other citrus as well such as
limes, grapefruit, lemon, etc.
Most
citrus valued for their fruit are grafted to another citrus valued for its
roots. This citrus valued for its roots is called the rootstock. The citrus
plants used for rootstocks are selected for various characteristics but not for
the quality of the fruit they produce. In fact fruit from rootstocks is nearly
always pretty terrible.
citrus valued for their fruit are grafted to another citrus valued for its
roots. This citrus valued for its roots is called the rootstock. The citrus
plants used for rootstocks are selected for various characteristics but not for
the quality of the fruit they produce. In fact fruit from rootstocks is nearly
always pretty terrible.
The
rootstock may sometimes be more vigorous than the orange tree itself. The
rootstock can send up shoots that, if not removed, may dwarf and overtake the
orange part of the tree. Simply remove these undesirable suckers any time they
appear and as close to the trunk as possible.
rootstock may sometimes be more vigorous than the orange tree itself. The
rootstock can send up shoots that, if not removed, may dwarf and overtake the
orange part of the tree. Simply remove these undesirable suckers any time they
appear and as close to the trunk as possible.
They may
sucker from the roots as well. Remove these too by cutting the sucker and the
root with a sharp shovel and pull them from the soil. This eliminates the
possibility that the rootstock will overtake the orange tree. Do not leave any stubs.
These will easily regrow.
sucker from the roots as well. Remove these too by cutting the sucker and the
root with a sharp shovel and pull them from the soil. This eliminates the
possibility that the rootstock will overtake the orange tree. Do not leave any stubs.
These will easily regrow.
Frequently
in our climate tender citrus like some oranges, limes and others are killed
during winter freezes. But because the rootstock part of the tree may be more
cold tolerant it survives, then suckers and takes over.
in our climate tender citrus like some oranges, limes and others are killed
during winter freezes. But because the rootstock part of the tree may be more
cold tolerant it survives, then suckers and takes over.
In a
couple of years the rootstock is the only plant left and the owner wonders why
the fruit is terrible and not anything like the citrus fruit he was expecting.
couple of years the rootstock is the only plant left and the owner wonders why
the fruit is terrible and not anything like the citrus fruit he was expecting.