heruga writes..."grafting and making the process more complicated" Actually you have it back words. Grafting makes it easier, as the percentages of success is much higher for grafted plants, than the percentages of successful rooting.

One last thing, grafted plants get off to a faster start. They don't have to grow support systems first.

I would rather have a dwarf sized tree which is only accomplished by grafting onto a dwarfing rootstock. I realize by growing in containers it helps to keep a tree smaller, but you don't have to root prune as often with a dwarfing tree compared to a tree on it's own roots. I have found grafted trees are a lot more forgiving than a tree on its own roots.

Related question - has anyone had a Meyer on its own roots and also one on Flying Dragon? I'm wondering if a Meyer on FD would be a little better behaved (e.g. not look all sickly when its neighbor trees are thriving).

Lol, I'd like to hear that answer too. Darn Meyers!

I purchased a dwarf Meyer from Four Winds Growers in 2002. I hope it's on Flying Dragon and have not had any problems with it since purchasing. No major leaf dropping when transplanting or when bringing it inside.

Thanks, now it all makes total sense. I have the Owari satsuma mandarin and yuzu that I bought from Brite Leaf 2 years ago. I also have a sudachi, that my dad bought like 7 years ago but I don't really care for that tree. Anyways they didn't state what rootstock they use but any of you who also buy from this nursery know by any chance? Also will yuzu and satsuma mandarin grow into a bigger tree if its on own roots? I've also heard these 2 citrus are one of the hardiest citrus and I am assuming its the species itself they are referring to and not the grafted form of these species. And has anyone tried rooting any of these 2 citrus?

Oh, didn’t see dbarron. I assume you probably didn’t even realize who the op of this thread was otherwise idk why you’re posting here since I thought you wanted nothing to do with me because I effectively ‘waste your time’. I Am confused

I purchased a dwarf variegated pink Eureka in October or so. It's on 897 rootstock I think. If your grafted tree was not sold as a dwarf, then contact Brite Leaf and ask what they use. I know Brite Leaf also sells trees on their own roots. You don't mention if the tree was grafted or on its own rootstock when you purchased your trees 2 years ago.

They were both grafted onto a 'standard' rootstock and says 12-14 ft tall. Not a dwarf I guess. I just sent them an email asking for the specific citrus species they used. But oh god I didn't realize until now my trees will become massive one day.. There's no way I'm fitting a 14 feet tree in my house where the ceiling isn't even that tall!!

Don;t get panicky root and canopy prune to suit...

No matter which type of tree you get, it will have to be pruned one way or the other to fit your environment if you are container growing. It's just a fact of life if you cannot plant in the ground. I was about to put my Meyer lemon tree outside today for some fresh air and sun and realized it was wider than the door. It needs to be pruned to fit the doorway, but IT'S BLOOMING. lol.

I guess I will have to prune but will pruning once every year harm or stress the tree out? Just worried excessive pruning will be an entrance way for all sorts of fungus to go in

A healthy tree can handle pruning. If your growing indoors you have no choice. Root pruning maybe every 2 years. I just lopped off 3 feet off a container owari satsuma, it was just too tall for me to care for properly. I did it in 18" stages a few months apart from lack of confidence. In hindsight should have done the deed in one shot. Frankly, I may do another 6 to 8 inches but I'll wait until I put it out in early Spring.

Pruning is good for the tree as long as you do it correctly. I like this video as it shows what to look for. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIIBD-67Ef0

grafting can be done in 5 minutes, unwrap 3 weeks later and your off.. My kumquats from a grafted tree have more flavor than those from my seed grown kumquat tree.

Thanks about the pruning advice. I already pruned some on my Yuzu last month and I plan to do it again sometime this month. This thing is almost taller than me and that’s without the pot height! And only 3 years old!

I would graft if only I had the patience especially the aftercare. Doing 8 pieces of conifer cuttings is a lot of work for me already!

So brite leaf replied back to me and they said my satsuma Owari was grafted onto Cleo and my Yuzu onto x639. I looked at those varieties but didn’t rlly say if it’s a good choice for my satsuma and Yuzu or not. I hope those Root Stocks have good benefits. I assume it is though since it’s coming from a highly reputable citrus nursery.

https://citrusvariety.ucr.edu/citrus/X639.html

https://citrusvariety.ucr.edu/citrus/cleopatra.html

The main reason is if you don't graft onto a rootstock variety your tree is eventually going to grow very big, and it will likely take much longer before it begins producing fruit (could take 4-6 more years).

You think the typical fruit trees you see in an orchard are what those fruit trees originally looked like naturally in the wild? No, no. We're talking huge trees. You eventually want a tree that looks like trees do in a forest, then grow on its own roots.

Orange trees can grow to over 30 feet if not grafted. Good luck picking all that fruit.

Likely the tree rats will get it before you ever get around to picking it or it falls.

Although my citrus is grafted it states mature size as 12-14 ft but with annual growth rates on my yuzu about a foot, how can it possibly stay 12-14 ft? In 14 years it will easily be 14 ft and in 30 years 30 feet!?(without pruning of course) Or do annual growth slow down as they age? Many people tell me trees retain their same annual growth rate until extreme age like after 50 years old.

Heruga, the mature height depends on the root stock the tree is grafted upon. If you want a smaller mature tree use FD, or one of it hybrids as the rootstock.

Brite Leaf stated that yuzu's mature height will be 12-14 ft and I'm pretty sure they referred to the grafted form of yuzu(x639), not the wild form.

According to UCR a mature Yuzu growing on its own roots grows out to 18 feet.

Sounds about right. All the Yuzu trees I see growing in Japan are right about that height or shorter. Although I really wonder how the annual growth rate works out for this tree. This past 2 seasons my Yuzu grew more than a foot per each year. If the math keeps going then it’ll be 20 ft in 20 years. Do they really slow Down just after a couple years ? Because many trees don’t until they reach extreme ages

Heruga, you write that your Yuzu grew more than a foot each year ---- so what, many many many young citrus trees grown a foot per year. Your tree, as all citrus trees begin slowing their growth patterns down as they age. The height of Yuzu balances out at around 18 ft....including yours. I doubt that your particular Yuzu tree is any different.

Trees are genetically coded to stop growing upwards when the reach their 'hight'

Steve

Keep in mind that trees grown indoors for any length of time are going to be reaching for the light as they grow. That's going to cause them to grow less compactly as well.

Actually Yuzu trees on their own roots don't get quite as huge as other common citrus on their own roots. The Yuzu may stop at 14 or 15 feet, whereas something like an Orange could grow past 25 feet.

Yes, as the tree reaches its maximum natural height the growth rate will start slowing down. It will probably never totally stop growing, but the rate will just be very slow.