The Tropical Fruit Forum

Citrus => Citrus General Discussion => Topic started by: Samu on April 25, 2018, 10:58:59 PM

Title: My Citrus amblycarpa is still not fruiting...
Post by: Samu on April 25, 2018, 10:58:59 PM
I have this so called: "Citrus amblycarpa" (In Indonesian it's commonly called: "jeruk limo") in the ground for over 3 years, in 5G pot before that for about 5 years or so. It looks reasonably healthy, 7 foot tall (more if not pruned) lots of leaves despite gotten minor Citrus Leaf Miners attack last year.

I found out from this thread:
http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=20995.0 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=20995.0)
that this citrus has a very long "Juvenile stage" and could take 6 to 10 years before it begins fruiting? Oh gosh, every Spring I was hoping this is it, but still not yet!  >:(

Anybody knows how to help "speed up" the maturity process? (I think I've waited long enough...)
Citrus amblycarpa on Right:
(https://i.imgur.com/i8fnsd9m.jpg)
It's thorns:
(https://i.imgur.com/RcpXJRjm.jpg)

Title: Re: My Citrus amblycarpa is still not fruiting...
Post by: Yorgos on April 27, 2018, 12:39:01 PM
Maybe pruning is contributing to the problem? I understand citrus do not like to be pruned.
Title: Re: My Citrus amblycarpa is still not fruiting...
Post by: Millet on April 27, 2018, 01:15:59 PM
As Yorgos wrote above, if you prune a citrus tree you greatly reduce chance of flowering, or even totally eliminate flowering.  This is because citrus bloom and fruits on only the tree's new wood.  Pruning removes the new wood, therefore the tree cannot flower.. 
Title: Re: My Citrus amblycarpa is still not fruiting...
Post by: Samu on April 27, 2018, 03:27:30 PM
I appreciate the replies Yorgos and Millet and thanks a lot for the explanation...!

I am still puzzled though, because I only pruned about 4 middle tallest sprouts for about 2 feet last year, and let the rest of the tree branches unpruned; and yet no flower in any branches...

Full disclosure:
This tree is planted in a row of 3 citruses between a back yard fence and a West facing wall; so they were not getting full all day sun (I'll say maybe about 6-7 hours per day), and this one gets just a little less than the other 2 trees; which grow normally. Could this be the cause?
Title: Re: My Citrus amblycarpa is still not fruiting...
Post by: Millet on April 27, 2018, 04:19:25 PM
Is this tree a grafted tree, or was it started from a seed?
Title: Re: My Citrus amblycarpa is still not fruiting...
Post by: Samu on April 27, 2018, 09:47:46 PM
Seedling.
It was given to me as a tiny 6 inches plant from San Jose, CA.
Title: Re: My Citrus amblycarpa is still not fruiting...
Post by: Millet on April 28, 2018, 10:53:14 AM
Samum, now that we know that the tree is a seedling tree, the reasoning becomes clear why your tree has not flowered.  Citrus have a very long juvenile period, normally lasting anywhere from 6 to 10 years.  Until the tree' has grown high enough to reach maturity  the tree cannot flower, thus does not fruit.  Even then, the tree will flower only from the point where maturity started and above.  The portion of the tree below the maturity point will forever remain immature.
Title: Re: My Citrus amblycarpa is still not fruiting...
Post by: Samu on April 28, 2018, 10:31:12 PM
I didn’t know about this, thanks again Millet!
No more citrus seedling for me...!