|
| Hello,
I have two seedlings (well, several months old, at this point) that I had labeled as both being grapefruit, but they sprouted totally differently and one of them looks exactly like what I got when I planted a lemon seed a while back. The one I suspect might be a might be a mislabeled lemon tree sprouted with five leaves, whereas the other one that I am fairly confident is a grapefruit sprouted with four leaves. I am including a photo of both of them, now, and the one that I suspect is a lemon tree is on the left. They actually look more similar now that they've grown out a bit. Anyway, do I have two grapefruits is the one on the left a lemon? I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| Maybe if you actually posted the foto?? |
|
- Posted by gwendolyn8 none (My Page) on Tue, Sep 4, 12 at 19:16
| That's odd, it showed the photo in my preview- I'll try again! |
|
| Neither one is a lemon; look at the winged petiole, no lemon has that. Beyond that, I don't know what you have. I would assume if your planted a grapefruit seed, you have a grapefruit. |
|
- Posted by gwendolyn8 none (My Page) on Wed, Sep 5, 12 at 10:36
| Firstly, thanks very much for your insight. If it's not a lemon then they'd probably have to both be grapefruits, but why would they sprout so differently from each other, with one having five leaves and the other having four? |
|
| They both look like grapefruit. You can tell by the leaf shape, as the poster above mentioned. Other citrus doesn't have that. As for 4 or 5 leaves, it's not that unusual. If you planted the seeds yourself from fruit you saved, you can end up with a weaker tree than if you purchased a tree at the nursery. Flavorful budwood is grafted onto hardy but not so flavorful rootstock. |
Here is a link that might be useful: What's Growing On?
|
| the oils inside a lemon leaf smell strongly like a lemon. Grapefruit, at least my grapfruit seedling, doesnt have that smell. Limes smell like limes also. break open a leaf and smell. mike |
|
- Posted by gwendolyn8 none (My Page) on Wed, Sep 5, 12 at 14:02
| Thanks for the relies, everyone! |
|
- Posted by hoosierquilt z10a/23 Vista Calif (My Page) on Wed, Sep 5, 12 at 19:33
| And, lemons are almost across the board not true to seed. John is correct - that winged petiole is also not found on lemons, but mainly on grapefruits and pummelos. And Mike also gave you great advice - lemon tree leaves smell strongly like lemons. Very nice seedlings, though! It will be interesting to see what you end up with! Patty S. |
|
| Patty, it is my understanding that most citrus seeds are polyembryonic. The first sprout from a polyembryonic seed almost always grow true to the parent fruit since they are not pollinated. John |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Citrus Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.