Pruning a small potted citrus tree?

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Pruning a small potted citrus tree?

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Bazil

Joined: 26 Sep 2005
Posts: 181
Location: Near Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 07 8:20 pm Post subject: Pruning a small potted citrus tree?
I have a small orange citrus tree (Calamondin) and the branches and leaves are quite dense. Any suggestions on how to thin it out? I have only had it a couple of weeks and dont know where to prune it or anything, please help!

Treacodactyl
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Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Wed Aug 29, 07 7:16 am Post subject:

Leave it somewhere it doesn't like and it'll shed plenty of leaves.

I don't have much experience with Calamondins but other citrus I tend to prune out any dead wood and then remove any crossing branches that are in the wrong place, e.g. ones growing from the outside into the centre. Then it's a matter of nipping out the branches when the get too long. Unless it's very crowded I might be tempted to leave it to see how it grows, I tend to find they grow less compact at home so it might open up. Just keep an eye on any leaves that might dies off and cause mould.

judith

Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire

Posted: Wed Aug 29, 07 10:08 am Post subject:
On the same theme, I have a lime that has been tied neatly into a little trellis thing, so it essentially has a few long whippy branches lashed to this structure. Do you think I would be better off untying it and starting to prune it into more of a tree shape? As it pretty much fills up the trellis already, I can't see where it is going to go from here.

Bazil

Joined: 26 Sep 2005
Posts: 181
Location: Near Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Posted: Wed Aug 29, 07 6:58 pm Post subject:

I want a lime tree but they only seem to sell them with the trellis' when I find them. I want a small one in a pot that I can have as a Bonsai just like in that *cough* Kevin Costner film *cough* Waterworld.

I have a lot of books on Bonsai and I have some new tools coming tomorrow, I am guessing that the correct places to prune a citrus tree and the tools used are generally the same?

I will give the tree a little thining out after some research and hope it doesnt die

Treacodactyl
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Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 07 7:40 am Post subject:
I've not had a trellis tree so not sure what to suggest other than ensure the ties don't get too tight. If you feel adventurous you could take some cuttings when you prune it, they should grow into a decent tree shame and fruit quicker than seed grown plants.

judith

Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 07 9:59 am Post subject:

Treacodactyl wrote:

If you feel adventurous you could take some cuttings when you prune it, they should grow into a decent tree shame and fruit quicker than seed grown plants.

That's a good idea. Just plonk the cuttings into gritty compost or do they have particular needs?

judith

Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 07 10:00 am Post subject:

Bazil wrote:

I want a small one in a pot that I can have as a Bonsai just like in that *cough* Kevin Costner film *cough* Waterworld.

You stayed awake long enough to spot it?!

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 07 10:18 am Post subject:

judith wrote:

Treacodactyl wrote:

If you feel adventurous you could take some cuttings when you prune it, they should grow into a decent tree shame and fruit quicker than seed grown plants.

That's a good idea. Just plonk the cuttings into gritty compost or do they have particular needs?

I've not tried lime cuttings but the best results I had with lemon cuttings IIRC was by taking cuttings in spring, use a dab of rooting powder and putting several in a clay pot of pure sharp sand in a heated propagator. Like many things, they seem to like a bit of bottom heat and very good drainage.

judith

Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 07 10:22 am Post subject:
Thanks TD. I'll wait until next year then - it's not in desperate need of pruning yet.

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