Hey I'm just learning about root stock and how it works. Is my lemon tree one of those situations where root stock has taken over? We've only got lemons in that little edge forever and the rest of the tree has evil thorns. Should I be cutting this right back to encourage the lemon tree part to grow?
by vimgutters
2 Comments
Certainly looks at least a majority of the higher growth is rootstock and needs to be removed. You might have some proper growth above, but that could be non producing for several reason including gall wasps.
Also you need to carefully remove the grass below by hand at least 30cm out from th trunk, compost and mulch keeping both away from the trunk.
It’s one of the best examples I’ve seen of what happens when the rootstock takes over!
You’re going to have a devil of a time trying to cut right back the bits that are rootstock without damaging the fruiting parts of the tree. It’s pretty drastic – looks like there won’t be much left.
Worth a go, though. I’d recommend doing it in stages over a few weeks, and keep on top of it – with the rootstock that well established it will keep trying to send out new shoots and take over again.
What a champion though, those few little fruiting branches are pumping out the lemons as best they can.