just bought a 3 gal pickering from tropical acres 3 weeks ago, cant wait for it to start producing in a few years. quick question to anyone whos had a pickering for some time. im trying to keep the tree as small as possible, the tree is currently about 2 to 2.5 feet tall and was wondering when would be a good time to top work it to encourage branching. it also seems to have not grown an inch, i have a valencia pride and that thing is like a rocket. just wondering if its time to repot the pickering? what do you all suggest?
I just top worked my mangos. Here's the top of an Orange Sherbet, with my praying friend. Be sure you top ONLY in an area that has alternating branches in order to preserve the best crotch strength. Click to open for good detail.
I screwed up last summer, by topping above a node that had 3 nubs, then branches coming off of exactly the same point. 2 snapped from the weight of the fruit and one I really did an aw shit on by not carefully paying attention and pruned off 17 OS hanging while training/pruning the tree to make a final profile.
I only have 4 small trees but they'll get their final pruning before going into dormancy.
I would upcan your Pickering now, blast off all soil and correct any root issues before going into a root pruning system like a RootTrapper.
Can't compare the high vigor of a Valencia with a Pickering. 2 different animals.
Also, apply Osmocote Indoor/Outdoor, 15-9-12, 5 month, after upcanning. Don't do the low N, high K Florida boyz fertilizer. Now is the time when your fave needs plenty of N to promote root development and good foliage. Contrary to the popular "well that's what the label says!" paradigm, high P foods do not enhance root development any more than a balanced food. Less is more.