Two Stemmed Satsuma or Two Separate Citruses?

8 years ago

Last week I visited a local nursery in Maryland looking for some plants for outdoors. It turns out they carried a few Citrus plants that they kept indoors and they were way cheaper than ordering online. I ended up buying a healthy looking Owari Satsuma Bush for under $20.

When I took it home I found what looked like two separate stems. At first I thought two trees were growing in one pot and when I transplanted the tree I'd try to separate them. After soaking the root ball for 20 minutes I quickly realized separating the two (if they really are two different tree's) would be impossible with doing a ton of damage to the roots. I ended up putting it with both stems next to each other just like the store.

I checked online to see if this was typical of certain plants or if I should try something else but couldn't locate much. Any thoughts? Should I leave it as is or try and cut into the roots and make two separate bushes?

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Comments (5)

Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)
8 years ago
Leaving them in the same pot is not good for the long term health of the trees. Separating them risks killing one or both. You will have to decide.
Dee
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Some nurseries sell cocktail trees when in actuality it is just two different trees in the same pot. So yes, it is common to sell more than one plant in a pot. Did the tags say how big they would get? As the trees mature, the limbs will grow into each other and create problems. It's just easier to deal with it now. When the weather gets much warmer, you may consider trying again to separate them. A month ago, I had to major root prune some of my citrus trees because they were pot bound and they survived. I am talking about major cutting into their sides and at least 2" off the bottom. In your situation because the trees are relatively young, you may have to completely remove all the soil, untangle gently the roots, and repot again in order to separate the two trees. I suggest waiting until the weather is much warmer because the sun and heat will aid in recovery. You may want to apply a root stimulator like Sure Start to help it out.

From looking at the picture, I don't recognize a graft. Your trees may be cuttings.
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Laura LaRosa (7b)
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I would try to separate them, but it may be difficult. I have been told here by others with more experience that if the trees are of the same variety, it is not as important to separate bc one variety will not outcompete the other. If you could not separate them, then maybe that is your best solution. If it were one of those cocktail trees, I would say for sure to separate bc the Meyer lemon will outgrow the limequat.

oh, and where in MD did you find that tree?
Jeff
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks everyone. I'll give it a few months and try to separate the two when summer rolls around.

As far as I know both are the same variety of citrus, they are both putting out similar looking fruit.

Laura, I bought it from Sun Nursery in Woodbine. Really nice place with a ton of plants.
Laura LaRosa (7b)
8 years ago
Jeff, if I’m ever in that neck of the woods, I’ll stop by. We go to Larriland farm at least once a year and I often buy meat from Wagon Wheel ranch nearby. Nice area. I’d not heard of that nursery. Thanks!