The Self Sufficiency Pages

Citrus

	Examples of triple grafted trees, with graft points marked in white. Top: One bud has grown and been cut back while waiting for the others to shoot. Below: It can take some time and management for all buds to reach a balanced stage, which contributes to the cost of a good multigraft

Feature Article

Multigrafted Fruit - A Cocktail on a Tree

Eila and Jean, Noosa Jem, Queensland

Multi-grafted fruit trees are fun and unusual. They're also practical, being great time, space, and water savers.

Noosa Jem specialises in multi-grafted "Citrus Cocktail" trees. The dwarfing root stocks used are resistant to many common citrus diseases and have the ability to tolerate wet and cold conditions. Dwarf trees produce good crops of normal size fruit on a tree of manageable height. They can be planted either in the ground, or in large pots.

The most common misconception about multi-grafts is that they don't work because one of the varieties will "take over". This can be true if the plant is left to its own devices. The solution is simple and easy - prune back the more vigorous graft until the other(s) have caught up.

Of course, it's important to start with a well-produced tree with strong, stable and balanced growth.

You could have an orange tree with three different varieties that fruit at different times, giving a longer harvest period and avoiding a glut. Or, you could have a tree which produces limes and tangelos at the same time!

The creative gardener, or one with a small balcony space or limited space along a fence, could espalier a multi-graft with different varieties trained to grow in different directions.

If you want to grow a wide variety of fruit but have limited space or you just like to try something unusual, a dwarfing multi grafted tree could be for you.

Links