Switching from juvenile to adult

[deRoode]

Hi,

I have some trees (yuzu) that are reaching almost 2 meters. When could I expect them to become mature? Are there any signs that I can look for when they mature?
The main shoot appears exactly like the new growth I would expect from a grafted yuzu.

[kumin]

Branches developing secondary and tertiary sub branches, branches becoming more horizontal are indications of phase change. These fruits developed on a 4 year old tree. There are variables including genetic ones.

[deRoode]

Interesting! I am now growing only the main shoot. Should I cut the heads and let them branch out, or wait for the trees to do it themselves?

[kumin]

Pruning back the top is counter productive. Here's an example of a tree approaching maturity. Perhaps the uppermost side branches will flower, if not, next Spring's side branches developing above the present side branches will have increased chances of doing so.



Three year old Citrumelo trees that have transitioned within the past year. Three years is rather precocious.

[deRoode]

Thank you for sharing. This gives me a good idea of what to expect. How tall would you say a seedling would be on average to reach maturity?

[kumin]

Genetics are an important factor. Limes and kumquats are reported to be precocious. Grapefruit and Sweet Orange take longer,with Mandarins being intermediate. Citrumelos, despite being Grapefruit hybrids can be precocious. By virtue of close planting within a cold frame, my plants responded by quickly growing into tall plants. This seemed to promote early flowering, but only affected some of the seedlings.
A height of 3 meters seems to trigger a percentage of the trees to flower. It's also possible that having the tree tops hit the polyethylene film ceiling, then deflecting to the side accelerated the transition to maturity. The peak of the ceiling is 3.2m in height.

[deRoode]

Thank you for sharing. Yuzu is generally not known for preciousness, so I might take a while longer before I can expect the first flowers. Some of my carrizo is starting to branch out in the top, at around 2.5, these might be closer to flowering.

[lebmung]

Thank you for sharing. Yuzu is generally not known for preciousness, so I might take a while longer before I can expect the first flowers. Some of my carrizo is starting to branch out in the top, at around 2.5, these might be closer to flowering.

The Japanese plant a yuzu when a kid is born, by the time it will turn into an adult the yuzu will flower and be productive. If you are lucky it can be 5 or 10 years.