The pumelo parent on this one sure comes through in terms of growth habit and vigor. Last year I put in a satsuma on a US-802 rootstock. This year, given that this is a fairly unknown trifoliate hybrid as far as fruit and seed are concerned, I decided to let two suckers grow. One I grafted ichang papeda to, the other I let grow.
It grew.
Can I say, waterspout?
I tipped it right at 6 ft to encourage branching.
The four branches were initially well shaped, but have started leaning a lot more than I'd like. Still, 20 in. ain't bad on something that already shot up 6 ft in one summer. And it's still just August, so I can expect a bit more growth I think (I really hope I get some more stem thickening, trying to be really hands off with the support and just use the bar minimum to ensure I don't lose the whole thing to some wind or snow).
The crotch section looked really weak for the first few months, but it's thickened up a lot since and I think it'll be alright. Crazy to think that the big ol' green thing, now the thickest of the plant's three trunks, didn't even exist six months ago.
The locals carefully guarding it.
Ichang papeda graft looking happy.
The satsuma probably feels like there's been an invasion of privacy. Despite that, it's managed to grow a bit itself and has held onto its first fruit.
