Weird behavior on citrus

9 years ago

My satsuma that I potted up in december 2016 has already grown a foot taller. It has been indoors all these past 4 months with only dappled sunlight from the blinds. I have never fertilized it yet. And its already grown a foot? With no fertilizer, no full sun, not planted in ground. Is that normal? Or is there something bad going on here

Oddly enough, my yuzu has not shown any signs of new growth yet despite being potted on the same day as my satsuma and it being right next to satsuma and receiving the same amount of light. I plan to fertilize it in a couple weeks

And then my sudachi, my oldest citrus(about 7 years), is the only one flowering now(only 3-4 flowers coming out) and also having a lot of new growth as well even though it is barely getting any light. I just repotted it last week due to heavy fungus gnat infestation and I put it downstairs away from my satsuma and yuzu. It is getting western sun exposure but only getting dappled sun from the window. Last year it flowered in May but this year its already starting flower. Which means it probably won't produce fruit this year.. :(

Featured Answer

Ken "Fruity Paws" (N-Va 7a)

9 years ago

Each plant is different (even within the same species). That said, the difference is probably "dormancy" related - not truly dormant, but just slower due to low light, temps. Also it's possible that the other two had more mature root systems and could start growing quickly, whereas the Yuzu might have to spend it's energies in root development before leave development.

Lastly, the foot growth may not be ideal - plants grow in height to try to get better sun. In your case, that isn't going to help, but result in a tall lanky plant - at least until it can go outside or you add supplemental light - where it will leave and branch out more.

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Comments (11)

Heruga (7a NJ)
Original Author
9 years ago
Ok here's what it looks like. The very top growth is all the new growth and in the center of the second pic also shows small new growth. Will branching out in that area of the tree cause lanky growth?
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poncirusguy6b452xx
9 years ago
Nothing to worry about. Most of us wish we had problems like that.

6d Steve
Ken "Fruity Paws" (N-Va 7a)
9 years ago
As Steve said, they look fine. When they get more sun, the small branches will help bush out. In the meanwhile, if you give strong surrounding light (from the sides vice overhead), that will promote vigorous side growth.
Silica
9 years ago
The tree certainly looks like it has been grown without enough sunlight. Look at the length of the internode spacing.
Heruga (7a NJ)
Original Author
9 years ago
Hmmm I guess theres nothing I can do now but wait until spring really comes so I can put it outside. Silica, what about the length of the internode spacing?
Silica
9 years ago
The tree is naturally looking for sunlight the best it can, thus the overly long internode spacing. Trees growing in full sun have shorter internodes. Plus trees grown in full sun generally produce somewhat smaller leaves with thicker cuticles . When it comes time to put that tree outside, you will have to very gradually adopt it to the sun light.
Laura LaRosa (7b)
9 years ago
I agree with Silica. Be careful when moving outside so the leaves don't burn. As far as the height...yes, somewhat lanky growth, but once it's outside it will fill out more in other branches. By the way, my sudachi which was pathetic looking since I got it last summer from FW is now finally growing and blooming everywhere, so don't despair about the blooms. You may get fruit yet.
Heruga (7a NJ)
Original Author
9 years ago
Ok how do I gradually make it adopt to the sunlight? Can I start by putting it in a partially sunny location(4 hours morning sun) and then few months later at a full sun area? (my front yard gets 8-10 hours of summer sun) that's where I put my sudachi all spring and summer last year and it did fine.

Also the problem with it blooming indoors is that there's no wind or bees to pollinate it
Laura LaRosa (7b)
9 years ago
To acclimate, do exactly that...gradual exposure to full sun. As far as pollination, citrus self-pollinate - even indoors. I never pollinate mine and they set fruit just fine inside.
poncirusguy6b452xx
9 years ago
At first 1 hour morning sun the into outdoors shade. do this for about a week then you can go with increasing hours fairly quickly to your suggest 4. After 2 weeks you can sun it all day. do the same to get the hour before sunset from the beginning. Use both ends of the day.

6b Steve