Lovely, and great spot for it.

Thanks Patty, that means a lot coming from you. I was in Carlsbad last week and stayed at a hotel across the street from the Armstrong hill of flowers. That always amazes me how many flowers they grow, it's beautiful this time of year. I was tempted to go and visit them but time didn't allow and it's probably for the best since I can't take any citrus trees back to the desert with me. Plus, I'm out of room for new trees, I'll just have to enjoy the ones I have and watch them grow. Take care.

Evan

Oh the Flower Fields! They are in full bloom right now. We're going next weekend (too hot this weekend). That particular Armstrong has some very nice succulents as well. It's a nice nursery. You'll just love your Oroblanco, my favorite "grapefruits" for a full grapefruit flavor, without being too sour/bitter for me. Love it . It also makes great juice as well. It will do very well for you, and will probably be even sweeter for you than for me.

Patty S.

Other than greed, because they grow fast for propagation purposes, there is no reason your Oro Blanco should be budded onto Macrophylla. It is a very poor choice of rootstock for them to use.

It produces such poor internal quality fruit, that it should be used only for lemons and perhaps limes. Even then the fruit grown on this rootstock in commercial groves is usually destined for the processing market because of low sugars and juice content.

Bounty, thank you for that info, it's very interesting. I will have to see what happens in a couple years when I get fruit. If nothing else it will be a nice big green decorative tree with dry fruit.

Evan

I have a follow up question bounty, what are your thoughts on C35 and volkamer as a rootstock for the Oro blanco?

Evan

I agree with Bounty. The reason you'll see certain sweet cultivars on Macrophylla is when you have a cultivar that can be a bit whimpy (you'll see Cocktails often grafted to Macrophylla). John Merr has his Meyer lemons all on Macro so he could get a quick, early significant crop going, plus Macro for him does well with his soil conditions. I don't think you're fruit will be dry, just possibly a little less sweet than on another rootstock, such as C35.

As far as choice of rootstocks: If I had a choice, I always pick C35 (as long as it is compatible with the cultivar) for its resistance to Phytophthora and for it's precocity, vigor and semi-dwarfing properties. Volk again is a rootstock you'd want for sour fruits.

Patty S.

What are your thoughts on variegated pink eureka lemon on Macrophylla? That is by nature a weak cultivar and it is a sour citrus, so would that be beneficial? Or same situation as above? Dry low quality fruit?

Evan

The lemon type rootstocks are good for arid areas because they are quite drought tolerant. But all produce poor quality fruit. There is a trade-off.

So ok for lemons. But they don't keep as well on the tree. Commercially in Arizona that is all they use under lemons.

Definitely C35 would be a far better option for OB for the reasons Patty has mentioned plus superior fruit quality.

Usually you'll see this cultivar grafted to Volkameriana or Cuban Shaddock. I believe it and Eureka are incompatible with Macrophylla., This cultivar tends to be very wimpy, so I would probably opt to have it on Volk. I believe Eureka and Variegate Pink Eureka are also incompatible with most trifoliates. Most lemons are grafted to lemon or lemon-like rootstocks, can't recall ever seeing any on C35. I really like C35 in my yard for my sweet citrus for many reasons, though. And, the fruit quality of this cultivar is only fair to midland to start with, and no rootstock will impart much of an improvement. It's not really grown for it's high quality fruit, but more for its novel appearance.

Patty S.

Thanks guys, really good info to have. Most of my trees are on C35 that I've planted in the last couple years. The variegated pink lemon I don't know what rootstock it is on because I planted it before I really paid attention to the different types of root stock and what effect they had on the trees. I then painted it's trunk with white wash for protection and covered up its paint markings put on it by willits and newcomb and I don't have photos of it before I planted it. Locally almost all standard sized trees are sold on volk and semi dwarf trees are on C35 probably because they do really well out here in the desert. My Oro on macro and seedless kishu on carrizo also from W&N were not grown locally so therefore are on different rootstocks maybe not as well suited for my sandy loam soil and 120 degree plus summer time temps. Either way I will take care of them as best I know how and see if they produce any edible fruit in the next 2-3 years.

Evan

Update! Almost a year to the day since I planted my Oro blanco in the ground. Here it is as of today.

Its over 7' tall after pruning the top 2 lead branches by about 18", trying to keep this thing manageable.

Evan

Evan When a tree is planted where it is supposed to be planted they grow well, as the pictures of yours show.

....ditto what Steve said ....and when fed and watered properly too. Terrific tree Evan! - Bravo!

Hard to believe this is the same tree I planted just a couple years ago.

Evan

Evan now I am sick!!! What I would do to see my trees freely take off like that!!!! Wowowowowowowow seriously, wow. Thanks for making me jealous and yet proud of all your hard work. Bravo! Make you realize what a difference it makes to grow them out of the pot..Mine has been almost the same size for years..lol

Hey Mike, thanks buddy. I hope you’re doing well. I’m looking forward to thanksgiving. How about you? Don’t get sick, just move to the Southwestern part of the US and you can have your trees in ground too! Good to hear from you, I don’t make it onto the forum as much I like to, have a great holiday week it was good to hear from you.

Evan

Mike You have a Meyer lemon tree in ground if I remember correctly. How is it doing.

Steve

So interesting to see the growth photos over time.

Evan, I always wonder how you are doing in your beautiful weather surrounded by all those beautiful trees...! I'm ok. My mom is not and my Dad really bad...Thanks for asking . Please come more often, you are missed about here..I miss your pics and those blue skies and I see you are back again..Nice! I hope you are ok. Privately e-mail if you need anything or just want to chat...Wishing you all the best and great job buddy!

Evan, that crop this year is amazing! Congrats! I've never seen grapefruit with such clusters of fruit. Those must be some strong branches.

Fruit clusters as seen in evdesert's picture, is exactly why and how grapefruit got its name.