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dwarf key lime tree acting strange

13 years ago

I have a dwarf key lime tree. I've had it for about 2.5 years, and it's been growing in a pot since I first got it as a tiny tree (a few inches tall, maybe 6?). The tree has done well overall. No key limes on it yet, however. Up until about six weeks ago, the tree was probably 18" tall and very full with foliage. Well, six weeks ago it sent up a new branch. The branch has quickly grown to be about 18" tall (it grew out of an existing branch from the top of the tree, so in total the tree is about 3' tall now).

Here's the thing. The leaves don't look anything like the other leaves on the tree. They are significantly larger (probably 4x the surface area of the majority of the leaves on the tree). They are a shiny while the other leaves are matte. They have more pronounced veins. And, did I mention it's doubled its height in six weeks?? It shows no signs of stopping either.

I've tried to search around for an explanation, but I don't even know what to search for ... "mutant dwarf key lime growth?" So I am wondering if anyone has experience with this? Is this to be expected? Am I concerned over what is just normal and healthy growth? I will add that for the last 8 months, I have been adding compost to the planter periodically. However, other than that I've done nothing extraordinary. When it's warm outside, I put it outside and let the rain water it. When it gets cold for the year, I bring it in and water it every week or two.

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Comments (4)

fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX
13 years ago
Citrus will do that. Sometimes the vigorous new growth has thorns or looks different. As long as it's not from the rootstock, it can be left in place. If it gets too big, head it back and force some side branches. If you don't like it for cosmetic reasons, cut it out, but that's not necessary.

This is your plants way of telling you that growing conditions are good and it can support a larger top. Rejoice and be happy. Your tree is doing well.
ashleysf
13 years ago
just as fruitnut says, your plant is happy. This growth is called "water sprout" or "water shoot". You can leave them on, but trim them so that your plant does not get lop sided. But please make sure that it is not a rootstock sprout. In my potted meyer lemon trees, I have found that removing a large water sprout immediately makes the tree flower profusely.
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Melanie, Thanks. I've been surfing around looking at ideas to help him deal. Do you re-pot often? Do you prune roots? I'm guessing my pot is probably 20-24 inches across. I put him right in there when I got him. Decided to go with a larger pot from day one, because I'm scared to re-pot him. Mostly, I'm afraid of the thorns. I'm hoping to keep him from getting any taller than about six feet so the majority of his leaves are at the height of my South windows for winter. I'm sure I'm concerned about this far too early, but eventually I will need to re-pot him and maybe prune some roots. Thanks for the info, Much Obliged. dave
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shawnalyn
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the info. It sounds like the growth is a good thing (it is growing from the top of the tree and not the rootstock). It has continued to grow and it approximately 24" tall now. It is coming directly out of the top of the tree and straight up, so I think I will keep it around. Until now, the tree had mostly grown out instead of up. I had planned to repot the tree in the next few weeks, so hopefully my much bigger tree will be happy in its much bigger pot.

I don't know why it picked now in the middle of winter while sitting in a mostly shady alcove to explode, but I'm not complaining.
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
13 years ago
I have seen citrus do exactly as you describe, and it was caused by too much nitrogen in the soil which in every case could be traced to human error over feeding with chemical fertilizer. I have never seen compost only, added as a top dressing cause this reaction. In any case no harm was done. Al

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