JoeReal

Yes you can have it all in one tree. Here's the latest update on my super multi-grafted citrus. As of 12-03-2006, it has 50 unique cultivars and more than half of them are loaded with fruits. This tree existed in my dreams and now a reality.



Here's my album that traces pics way back in 2001.

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/Albu...&a=32379566&f=

And here's the link to the citrus forum showing details of its current fruits.
http://citrus.forumup.org/viewtopic....&mforum=citrus

chong

Beautiful tree, Joe! Another terrific job!

What kind of rootstock did you use? Poncirus Trifoliata? Now that you've done it, I'm going to follow your footsteps. What time of year is best to do the grafting? Do you have any scions of the "dalanghita"/"naranghita"? I believe I saw a nursery in Santa Clarita that had them. I think they call it either the Israel orange, or Jerusalem orange. Since you're into citrus as well, perhaps you can tell me.

JoeReal

The rootstock is a Lisbon lemon. I don't have dalanghita but University of California Riverside does.

MediaHound

How far do you plan to take it? Dare I say 100??

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JoeReal

Theoretically, the entire UCR public budwood offerings, which is about 250 cultivars.


But I don't have space for the tree. I will stop at 60 next year, until i can find a bigger property to allow citrus tree for bigger space.

MediaHound

Ahh, yes, I just actually read this text of yours.
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...566&p=75076495
"The canopy has maxed out, so perhaps 10 more cultivars should max this out."

Yep, I'm actually viewing the photos in the gallery.

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MediaHound

What sort of irrigation system do you use at your property?
Do you collect rain? Do you pump well water up through sprinklers? Canal water? City water?

I remember the thread you posted about how you prepped the soil way back in the day, but I don't remember what you said about your watering setup.

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JoeReal

Automatic irrigation. I readjust ever 2 weeks by pressing two buttons only (up and down to adjust %). I prepared a chart indicating how many % of maximum setting in summer demand do I need to adjust depending on each 2 week period, readjusted by looking at forecast and past week's data. 2nd half of June is our highest evapotranspiration demand, so everything is scaled down from the amount of water delivered. Then I simply set the % irrigation down from there. But if it would be hotter than average the past week, then I readjust slightly. If it has rained or going to rain, I consider that too. That way, I don't have lots of excess water, only what's needed by the plants plus a little bit of drainage to prevent salt accumulation.

For example:
% Setting
Month, 1st half, 2nd Half, Monthly
Jan 10% 14% 12%
Feb 17% 24% 20%
Mar 27% 42% 36%
Apr 51% 65% 57%
May 74% 85% 81%
Jun 93% 100% 96%
Jul 97% 92% 94%
Aug 88% 79% 83%
Sep 78% 61% 69%
Oct 51% 40% 49%
Nov 27% 20% 27%
Dec 14% 11% 13%

I start irrigation in April and turn off in December.

JoeReal

Mostly drip system, I love to use the pressure compensating drip emitters, they last very long without getting clogged. Our water is from the well, pumped by the city. pH is 8.6!!! So will always have to use acidifying ferts.

microfarmer

Man, that's a lot of choices on one tree! I planted 9 different citrus trees of 9 different kinds (not counting the two different lemons from the previous owner). My Satsumas, Oro blancos, and Rubys are almost ready. This is my first year for a crop, and I can hardly wait.

And your watering schedule is very intensive...I water about once a month for about 8 hours with the PC drippers. I prolly should water every 2 weeks...

I mulch with chipped prunings from my decidous fruit trees and the friggin' fruitless mulberry my wife won't let me remove because "it's such a good shade tree".

I could add drippers and cut back on the time, but I haven't gotten a round to-it yet. I couldn't imagine changing the schedule every 2 weeks...

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JoeReal

that's what happened when the properties shoot up, simply can't afford to have bigger backyards so must contend with everything on few trees. So far, I have more than 325 fruiting cultivars on just about 45 planting holes on 725 square ft. So my overall yield is not based on 325 fruiting trees but on 725 sq ft of land. Next year I may have more than 350 fruiting cultivars. Some of them will have to be snipped off and regrafted with ones that I love or haven't tried out.

One thing nice about grafting on a mature citrus tree, you will have fruits of great quality the next year from your grafts without having to wait for 3-7 years from younger trees to improve their fruit quality. Usually first crops from newly planted trees are still not good quality that it would make you wanna cut them down, but all you have to do is wait few more years then the taste would dramatically improve, unless you graft unto a mature tree.

I found the Miho Wase Satsumas to be outstanding in our area, I can give you some budwoods from my collection if you come over this spring.

I really have intensive drip system. They ranged from twice a day watering for potted plant to bi-weekly watering for the fruit trees. Have 12 solenoid valves running around the yard. I am in the yard at least once each week, and changing the irrigation time is a breeze with a few button strokes. I have now simplified it down to one controller but with more button strokes, something that I enjoy doing.

I also take care of irrigation schedules of 4 other houses and need to fix the lines at our rental properties but the renters have dogs.

devildog805

That is awesome Joe. I would like to do that some day. Think I remember you doing this to an apple tree aswell.

island cassie

just incredible - so impressive. But do I see a poor little nana underneath trying to fight its way through? haha!

AnnaJW

Wow! And I thought my little 3-in-one apple was exciting!

That is awesome Joe!

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JoeReal

Thanks People!

That nana has been given away...

I added Ruby Blood orange, Bouquet de Fleurs, Buddha's hand, Etrog, Mandarinquat, Calamondin, Variegated Cara-cara, and only three more to go.

Will probably add Sudachi, Yuzu, and Limequat. That would be 60-n-1 citrus tree soon if the new ones will all take.

So far it has the most number of species and citrus types, it should span the whole spectrum.

I have difficulty grafting Microcitrus types to it, so far all attempts have failed. Perhaps will graft a flying dragon first before grafting the Microcitrus but that will be for next year.

I'm just glad that each variety, including the most cold sensitive Kiefer has survived several bouts of arctic blast on that tree. Temperature at times included prolonged 20 deg F temperature, but I gave my best to protect them and all have survived without even suffering winter leaf drop.