20 Inch tall Okinawan Shiikuwasha Blooming

[Millet]

I started the tree from seed 2 years ago.  This spring the tree is flowering for the first time at 20  inches tall.

[Mulberry0126]

Is this a normal occurrence? I think I read something about grafting to Shiikuwasha inducing flowering sooner but I can't quite remember.

[mkono]

Is this a normal occurrence? I think I read something about grafting to Shiikuwasha inducing flowering sooner but I can't quite remember.

I think so. They use shekwasha as a rootstock in Japan to induce earlier flowering.

[caladri]

Is this a normal occurrence? I think I read something about grafting to Shiikuwasha inducing flowering sooner but I can't quite remember.

I think so. They use shekwasha as a rootstock in Japan to induce earlier flowering.

You're thinking of this paper: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2008.03.003

The comment that it is used in Japan as a rootstock in induce precocity is slightly misleading; it's not that common, and is also used in lots of places for research use. Also, it was trialed as a rootstock in North Florida ages ago for other reasons.