Author Topic: Best rootstock for desert clay soil/higher pH growing?  (Read 511 times)

Fygee

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Best rootstock for desert clay soil/higher pH growing?
« on: July 28, 2023, 03:23:09 PM »
I'd like to get your input on what you would say is the best rootstock for growing in the desert, notably in higher pH clay soils when in-ground, along with high pH tap water, and where to acquire them either as seeds or small plants. I'd like to perform some experiments.

A lot of trees for sale here in Vegas either don't list their rootstock, or are varieties sourced from California which seem to have a hard time here even with organic matter mixed in, fed well, supplemented with elemental sulfur, and the perpetual issue of proper drainage well taken care of.
Continuing my journey to disprove those who say "You can't grow that in the desert" since 2013.

JJROSS54

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Re: Best rootstock for desert clay soil/higher pH growing?
« Reply #1 on: August 05, 2023, 07:49:39 PM »
Sour orange is what does the best here in Arizona and you are very similar there.

Millet

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Re: Best rootstock for desert clay soil/higher pH growing?
« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2023, 02:28:23 PM »
I agree with JJRSS54 concerning the abilities of Sour Orang as a rootstock.  Sour Orange is well adapted to a broad range of soil types, including sand, sandy loam, loam, and clay soils. Good tolerance to salinity and to calcareous soils.

Fygee

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Re: Best rootstock for desert clay soil/higher pH growing?
« Reply #3 on: August 07, 2023, 05:34:20 PM »
Looks like there's a newer SuperSour improved version of Sour Orange that may be a good candidate.

Also, was looking at US-802 and US-942 as possible candidates. Supposedly they're rock stars in general as rootstock, but I haven't been able to get much info on their clay/salinty/higher PH tolerance.

EDIT - Found this nifty table and US-942 looks like the way to go.

https://crec.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/citrus_rootstock/tables.html

And luckily, Madison Citrus sells it!

https://madisoncitrusnursery.com/products/942-citrus-rootstock-for-sale
« Last Edit: August 07, 2023, 05:51:52 PM by Fygee »
Continuing my journey to disprove those who say "You can't grow that in the desert" since 2013.

Millet

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Re: Best rootstock for desert clay soil/higher pH growing?
« Reply #4 on: August 07, 2023, 06:12:52 PM »
PYGEE, your US942 post is excellent, and surely helpful.  Thanks for such helpful information. What do you know about US942 acceptability to tristazia  virus. 
« Last Edit: August 07, 2023, 06:15:48 PM by Millet »

Fygee

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Re: Best rootstock for desert clay soil/higher pH growing?
« Reply #5 on: August 07, 2023, 06:25:34 PM »
Looking at the table, it appears to be highly tolerant of it, but not necessarily resistant.
Continuing my journey to disprove those who say "You can't grow that in the desert" since 2013.

1rainman

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Re: Best rootstock for desert clay soil/higher pH growing?
« Reply #6 on: August 07, 2023, 09:04:19 PM »
I would imagine a desert lime crossed with a sour orange would be a good root stock

 

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