pruning an oversized calamondin tree

Hello,

I'm new to this forum and would like some help.

I have a large calamondin tree in a container that I inherited several years ago. It's about 6 1/2 feet tall from the ground. I don't think it's ever been pruned. Since i live in zone 6, I take it in every year to overwinter it. I need to prune it so it can fit inside, and just to maek it more attractive. Several questions:

1) I purchased "rooter pots" from lee valley tools to do air layering, since I wouldn't mind having smaller trees to grow/share. How many can I put on at the same time without weakening the tree? Is this even an issue? Is there a limit to how large in diameter the branches can be to root successfully? There are some that are 1-2"- 3/4" thick, but there is also a major branch growing out of a weird place that is 1 1/4" in diameter. I would especially like to get rid of this branch.

2) Since I'd like to prune this tree to about 4-5" tall, do I have to remove some of the root mass at all? A tricky proposition, since it has large thorns everywhere. However, the health of the tree is of course important. I'd hate to kill the tree. I don't want to send it into shock or have the roots rot.

3) Any tips on pruning?


Thanks so much,

Joy

Joy, you are proposing to do a number of things to your citrus. Air layer first. Then if it's been a while since you repotted, you can do so.

First, you didn't mention how tall your calamondin is from the top of the soil. In other words, don't include the height of the pot in your measurement. Calamondin are usually very bushy. Is you tree bushy or is it leggy — fewer but longer branches? At most, 1/3 of a healthy tree can be pruned off without harm to the tree. If your tree is leggy, it may not be in the best of shape and you may want to spread the pruning out over a year or two. My citrus trees grow some while in the greenhouse for the winter. If you calamondin does too, the legginess, if it is leggy, could be due to insufficient light during the winter.

Secondly, for air layering, branches the size of a pencil's thickness are recommended.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/ornamentals/airlayer/airlayer.html
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/HS116
Consider the air layering as part of what you are removing so you don't remove more than 1/3 of the top total. When you prune, cut down to a crotch. Dont leave stubs, but don't cut into the crotch. If the branch is old enough, there will be a collar (slightly wrinkled bark where the branch forks). Leave the collar on. It helps the cut heal faster. Currently, sealing the cuts is not recommended. Just be sure you make each cut with clean sterile pruners. The Texas Extension Service in Austin, recommends using a spray can of Lysol. It's easy to use and it doesn't rust the pruning shears.

Thirdly, What is the diameter of the pot? With large pots (24" - 30") and a dwarf citrus, you can go up to 5 years without having to repot. With smaller pots and or standard citrus, you have to repot more often. So in answer to your #2, if you have repotted within the last year or two, you don't have to root prune. I got this information from one of my citrus books. Others recommend repotting every year to 1-1/2 years.
http://www.fourwindsgrowers.com/solver/transplanting.html
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/patiocitrus/containers.html
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/homefruit/citrus/citrus.html

Hope this helps

Thanks for the quick reply.

The tree is 6 1/2 feet from the soil surface- i didn't add in the depth of the pot in my measurement.

Also it's rather bushy, with the main branches starting from the bottom 1/3 of the tree. alot of small branches are growing close to te base now.

It sits in a 24" diameter pot. I have no idea the last time it was repotted, but wouldn't be surprised if it were a long time (at least 4 years). We may repot it anyway and place it into a pot that's wider at the base. when we put it outside, it sometimes falls over when it's really windy. not good;)

I suppose i might just have to prune the large diameter branch eventually. i think i'll stick to air layering a few of the smaller diameter branches first for now.

thanks so much!

joy

I have a potted plumeria that tips over when it's windy. I got my DH to bury a short post. I screwed an eye hook to the post, threaded one end of a piece of chain through the hook, wrapped the other end of the chain around the pot securing the pot tightly against the post and closing the loop with a clasp.