Imperial Mandarin (forum)

bobDal starts with ...
Hi. I planted my Imperial mandarin two years ago and removed fruits so tree gets established properly. This year I left one fruit on the tree and when iI ate it Iit was relatively dry and skin was thick. Tree’s label does not show the type of rootstock and since tree has grown vigorously, I suspect the rootstock is one of those nursery friendly ones and most likely Rough Lemon. What’s your thought please? Should I remove the tree and plant one with proper and known rootstock? Thanks

Time: 26th June 2022 10:35am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author bobDal
WANTIRNA SOUTH,3152,VIC
#UserID: 23169
Posts: 22
View All bobDal's Edible Fruit Trees

jakfruit etiquette says...
If you take a photo of the rootstock bark, might be ablate tell ? Rough Lemon has fairly pale bark.
It isn't unusual for Imperial to be dry , maybe if left too long ?? Imperial is a major commercial variety. It is not unusual to get bags of them that are crap, and they are grown around here. I would research Imperial first re dry fruit, could be a water or fertiliser issue too, adjusting fertiliser might help ?

Time: 28th June 2022 7:28am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author jakfruit etiquette
MERBEIN,3505,VIC
#UserID: 5133
Posts: 915
View All jakfruit etiquette's Edible Fruit Trees

bobDal says...
Sorry I was busy during the week and could not reply earlier. I have attached photos of the bark and tree (Imperial on unknown rootstock). My research shows that best rootstock for citrus is Trifoliata especially for Melbourne area. The problem is that cincturing at bud union often occurs for Imperial mandarin on Trifoliata rootstock. Any suggestions please.
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2

Time: 2nd July 2022 12:34pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
Original Post was last edited: 2nd July 2022 1:21pm
About the Author bobDal
WANTIRNA SOUTH,3152,VIC
#UserID: 23169
Posts: 22
View All bobDal's Edible Fruit Trees

bobDal says...
I also have an Emperor mandarin (photos attached) on Trifoliata rootstock which will be ready in a month. Tree is less vigorous than Imperial on unknown rootstock.
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2

Time: 2nd July 2022 1:16pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author bobDal
WANTIRNA SOUTH,3152,VIC
#UserID: 23169
Posts: 22
View All bobDal's Edible Fruit Trees

jakfruit etiquette says...
The emperor looks like it is on trifoliata, going on the vertical green streaks in the bark, and as you say so too.
The imperial looks like it is on citrange, that would be my guess from the pics.
Probably Troyer or Carrizo citrange, but could be another, as I haven't grown them as much ( Benton, Cox Hybrid etc etc )
Again from the pics, I don't think it is on lemon.
This would have paler bark usually.
A way to overcome bud union problems is inarching, that is bridging between the graft and rootstock, or adding another rootstock into the graft.
You could also top work part of the mandarin to another variety, or regraft the rootstock to another variety. top working a branch is probably less risky.
Again I would check out any nutrition problems causing dry fruit in Imperials before any drastic action.


Time: 3rd July 2022 5:19pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author jakfruit etiquette
MERBEIN,3505,VIC
#UserID: 5133
Posts: 915
View All jakfruit etiquette's Edible Fruit Trees