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Do orange trees need to be grafted?
Citrus trees don’t have to be grafted, but there are many advantages. Not only will grafted citrus trees grow faster, but they can have increased disease and frost resistance, as well as having fruit that’s “true” to the parent tree. While grafting seems complex, it’s a good and reliable way to clone citrus trees.
Why do farmers graft orange trees?
Grafting is done for a number of reasons. One reason is that some varieties of fruit have better roots and some have better fruits. Grafting allows farmers to combine the two and have the best rootstock AND the best fruit.
Why are orange trees covered with netting?
Netting is one way to protect your fruit from hungry birds and squirrels while still allowing light and air into the tree’s canopy. Cross pollination by bees in citrus crops causes seeds in easy peel oranges. California has been netting oranges to protect against cross pollination by bees for 6 years, since 2008.
Why is it important to seal grafts?
Securing the Graft. Pressure from the rootstock will hold the scions in place. Thoroughly seal all cut surfaces with grafting wax or grafting paint to keep out water and prevent drying. If both scions in the cleft “take,” one will usually grow more rapidly than the other.
Why does it take so long to graft an orange tree?
Natural plant hormones that come from buds higher in the tree discourage the growth of the grafted buds. To succeed in grafting orange trees or in grafting trees of any kind, apical dominance must be overcome to encourage the growth of the grafted buds.
What kind of tree is used for grafting?
The Type of Orange Tree Used for Grafting. The grapefruit, tangerine or other citrus is grafted onto a separate rootstock. Grafting gives disease-resistance, improved cold hardiness and dwarfing. Through the history of citrus-growing, citrus rootstock trees changed due to new diseases and plant pests that attack rootstocks.
What does it mean when grafted citrus tree has thorns on?
Planting grafted trees pushes the envelope on cold hardiness, but presents thorny obstacles that may grow beneath the graft union. Many of the citrus varieties used for grafting have thorns.
Why are there thorns on my orange tree?
Although it also bears fruit, they are seedy and sour tasting. Its greatest commercial value lies in the hardiness of its roots, which make it a preferred rootstock for grafting sweet orange trees. Its thorns, however, will continue to grow below a graft union or bud, even on citrus trees that do not typically bear thorns.