Author Topic: Poorly pruned citrus  (Read 331 times)

HoneyGirlGrows

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 23
    • US, Southern California, LA, Zone 10B
    • View Profile
    • Michelin Chef, Residebtial & Resort Garden/Orchards/Native/Cut Flower/Pollinator
Poorly pruned citrus
« on: January 17, 2025, 05:26:25 PM »
Hello,
Requesting recommendations for a very poorly pruned old growth citrus tree. The tree has been pruned in such a way that the canopy is very tall.
The question is, is there any rooting hormone or anything we could use say on a fresh-cut etc,  to get it to possibly send out lower branches?
Any tricks to encourage lower branches?

Thank you, all!

Millet

  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4918
    • Colorado
    • View Profile
Re: Poorly pruned citrus
« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2025, 06:15:24 PM »
To encourage new branches to grow on a citrus tree after pruning, focus on cutting just above a healthy bud on the branch, which will naturally stimulate new growth from that bud; additionally, you can use a technique called "notching" where you make a small cut in the bark just above the bud to further promote branching; ensure you prune at the right time of year, typically during the dormant season, and provide proper care like adequate sunlight and fertilization to support new growth.

Taken from the Internet

Seanny

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1241
    • Garden Grove, Orange County, California, 10B
    • View Profile
Re: Poorly pruned citrus
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2025, 10:41:14 PM »
You could remove bark and cambium 1” wide by 1/4” tall 1/4” above a bud to force bud to grow.
Branch would be slow and weak because it’s in the shade of the canopy .

The other option is to tie water bottles near the tips of the tall branches to pull them down.

sc4001992

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5068
    • USA, CA, Fullerton
    • View Profile
Re: Poorly pruned citrus
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2025, 01:03:12 AM »
I like Seanny's idea. I have done that unintentionally and found a lot of new buds/shoots growing from my long & tall branch of my Roy seedling tree. It worrks.

Rob From Sydney

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 262
    • Glenorie, Sydney, Australia (Zone 10a)
    • View Profile
Re: Poorly pruned citrus
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2025, 04:27:59 AM »
There is a very good way to prune an old citrus tree called 'skeleton pruning'.
Here is a video on it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEQ019GgzJA&t=1s
BTW I'm pretty sure that I have picked fruit from that exact tree, if not from trees in it's row.

 

SMF spam blocked by CleanTalk