That's the nature of a water sprout. Think "nuclear growth". Just trim it back to the edge of the canopy. It will settle down are revert to more normal everything in about a year or so.

Patty S.

could we see a pic plz, i've never seen a huge citrus flower.

So will these branches produce fruit different from the parent plant?

A qualified yes, as to whether they will produce "different" fruit; the water sprout IS the parent plant, so the fruit will still be a Meyer; however, it will typically be larger and with a thicker/rougher skin.

I would trim the water sprout back to the level of the canopy as Patty suggested, even if that means sacrificing the fruit.

I'm new to the forum and I have a Meyer lemon tree. Where can I learn about a water sprout? Thanks, all.

It was last Spring and I panicked. Cut the sprout off. Now more sprouts and I am wondering what to do. Thanks for all your input.If I get another big flower next time it fires off a big one, I will photograph and post.

Eve, you're better off starting your own message thread, instead of tacking onto this one, but in general, citrus do this on occasion. When they're extremely happy :-) Some cultivars tend to send up water sprouts more frequently that others (lemons). They often happen in young trees, or older trees that are being revived. It they are not providing symmetry, then trim them back to the trunk. If they are providing a nice symmetry to your tree, simply cut them back to the canopy edge. They will settle down and become normal branches. There is some argument that the attachment of a water sprout at the trunk is weaker than a normal branch. I have not found that to be the case with my trees, nor can I find any supporting documentation for that theory, and I am still trying to research that notion. For now, if the water sprout suits the tree, then it stays. If not, I trim it at the trunk.

Patty S.