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johnmerr

My new Mother tree

9 years ago

This 8 year old Meyer, which has more than 300 lemons has been chosen to be the new Mother tree of Mayan Meyer lemons. We have a new budwood grove of 60 trees created from this cultivar; in the future all trees we produce will come from this Mother tree.


Comments (19)

  • 9 years ago

    Beatiful specimen John!! What in particular made you you select that new cultivar? Those lemons look spectacular and juicy. I wish you luck on the new grove.

  • 9 years ago

    Laura,

    I chose this tree because it produces about 400 lemons per year; and each fruit is the type the market likes best... no odd shapes, odd sizes, etc.; aside from that I like the shape of the tree, you may notice its garden mate at the side; it is taller and a bit more unmanageable (still produces almost as many lemons). The cultivar we have been producing until now is very good; but I believe this one is better. The secret is never be afraid to change; after 8 years I have decided to make that change; only time will tell if this cultivar is really better.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    That's a dream tree. Absolutely beautiful. Nice size lemons.

    Did that mother tree come from budwood, or grown from seed?

  • 9 years ago

    Beautiful tree.

  • 9 years ago

    I'm curious about this John...what in particular do you like better? Are the lemons better/bigger/juicier? Does the tree produce more or grow faster? Is the growth habit more manageable. I find this interesting because although they are all Meyer lemons, there are differences between trees. I thought of you last night. At the grocery store, they had meyer lemons. They were bigger than many I've seen, but they were almost orange. My Meyer lemons are yellows, and yours look like mine...very yellow.

  • 9 years ago

    You are truly the Meyer lemon King!

  • 9 years ago

    That is what a citrus tree should look like, nicely shaped. I can not do that because of deer unless i fence them in.I have 2 Meyer tree's and that is already much, about 1/3 the size of your tree. I have a lemon in the crisper for 3 months. Mandarins don't last that long.

  • 9 years ago

    John, I have always wondered why no one here in the U.S has even thought of selling Meyer Lemons on a large scale? I can't even find a lemon like that here..I wish they did sell them locally..Maybe like figs, they have a short shelf life?

    Nice Tree..I am glad you never loose appreciation for your trees or where you live..Many do.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Mike,

    California produces a mountain of Meyers and ships them to various parts of the world; but lately, due to the huge demand increase, California can barely supply the California market. A lot of the Meyers you find now in the US East Coast or Canada markets come from New Zealand; but when we get into full production, none of them will be able to compete with us.

    Laura,

    I especially like the shape of the new tree and the resultant ease of management and harvest. The lemons are pretty much the same as our existent cultivar; the new one produces consistently more and virtually 100% are the market's desired size, shape and texture. All in all it is just my favorite tree; of course there may be others out there that I don't see so often.

  • 9 years ago

    Where did the Mother Tree come from? Was it grown from a seed?

  • 9 years ago

    Dave,


    I said this earlier; but here it is again.

    My new Mother came from grafted trees I brought from California; the
    cultivar we have been using was selected from that group, as were these
    two in my Antigua garden. Over the years I have come to prefer this
    tree to the one originally chosen.

  • 9 years ago

    John, nice tree and nicely loaded with fruit! Interestingly, of my four Meyers, the (6 yr in the ground) one on Macrophylla rootstock has not gotten over 5 ft. tall while the others on Volk and Cuban Shaddock are 5-8 ft. tall. Freezes have definitely contributed to the limited height, but perhaps that Mac rootstock just likes to keep the tree low and wide?


    thanks again for sharing! - George

  • 9 years ago

    Nope, George, the Macrophylla generally makes a larger tree and more quickly; but some cultivars, like my new Mother tree tend to be lower and bushier, on the identical rootstock; it is one of the reasons I have chosen this new cultivar for our future.


  • 9 years ago

    Gorgeous tree, John! My Meyer went in the ground just over 3 weeks ago. It is so lanky right now; I hope it eventually bushes out!

  • 9 years ago

    Nice tree John, I hope some day I will get some lemons from mine. Until then, I'll have to stare at your trees.

    Evan

  • 9 years ago

    John, how wonderful!!

  • 9 years ago

    What a beautiful tree, John!! Wow!!

  • 9 years ago

    Thanks to all; it most certainly is a beautiful tree; and a ferocious producer. To see it in person is almost not to believe it could support so many lemons.