Thorns on an orange tree? (Full Version)

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creationtalk -> Thorns on an orange tree? (7/7/2008 8:39:24 PM)

I have an orange tree that is grafted so that it could be grown in a pot, anyway the part below the graft has some really long thorns (about 1" long).

Anyway, now the new growth on the grafted (orange) part is coming out with thorns. Not quite as long as the original plant, but not what I would expect from an orange tree.

Has any one had this experience? How could this combining of the two plants happen? Does this mean my orange tree won't produce oranges?



csl7037 -> RE: Thorns on an orange tree? (7/8/2008 10:18:42 AM)

I'm from FL and I've never seen an orange tree for a pot! Orange trees definitely do not have thorns. That's some crazy hybrid you've got there! Something someone came up with to sell to tourists? If it does get oranges, I'd be curious what they look and taste like. But, who knows, might work!



solarflare -> RE: Thorns on an orange tree? (7/8/2008 10:24:46 AM)

I live in Florida too - I'm not originally from here - anyway, when we moved here, there was an orange tree out front and I'm telling you, just FULL of thorns! I was way surprised to see that - maybe they go that way if not kept properly? We just trim and fertilize ours , but as it is alone out there (no-cross pollination) the oranges are sour.
These thorns are about 2 to 3 inches long and watch out - they hurt!

So, I guess we have some weird specimen out on the lawn too.



doinkdom -> RE: Thorns on an orange tree? (7/8/2008 1:24:43 PM)

Native FL cracker here, too.

The best way to grow an orange tree is by grafting. They are grown in greenhouses and then sold to orchards. And many times the grafting produces long thorns that are almost like mini-branches with pointed ends.

If you try to grow from seeds, the fruit may not be good and it could take like 10-15 years.

Many greenhouses sell container orange trees for patios, etc.



solarflare -> RE: Thorns on an orange tree? (7/10/2008 11:37:54 AM)

LOL so I guess they are like Roses; beautiful to look at and smell but watch out for the thorns. Orange trees - beautiful flowers with a wonderful scent and then tasty oranges - but, watch out for the thorns!



JimboFletch -> RE: Thorns on an orange tree? (7/10/2008 11:46:04 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: doinkdom

Native FL cracker here, too.

The best way to grow an orange tree is by grafting. They are grown in greenhouses and then sold to orchards. And many times the grafting produces long thorns that are almost like mini-branches with pointed ends.

If you try to grow from seeds, the fruit may not be good and it could take like 10-15 years.

Many greenhouses sell container orange trees for patios, etc.

I'm a native to NW Florida, so we didn't have orange trees. (I did, however, spend a year and a half in Key West while in the Navy.)

But we had Kumquat trees. They have thorns and are small enough to grow in pots. Here's a link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumquat



doinkdom -> RE: Thorns on an orange tree? (7/10/2008 11:57:26 AM)

mmm...I love kumquats!

My granny had a kumquat tree, but it never got very big - had yummy fruit on it though.



Kat_D -> RE: Thorns on an orange tree? (7/10/2008 3:58:32 PM)

Maybe someone grafted a lemon with an orange.



creationtalk -> RE: Thorns on an orange tree? (7/10/2008 8:58:19 PM)

Thanks for all the responses.

I know what I bought was definitely called an Orange tree--and the fruit it produced (or started to) was larger than any kumquat I have seen and round rather than oval. Now it's very possible that it was grafted to a Kumquat. The label is too faded to read what type of orange it was supposed to be.

The instructions with the tree said that "Citrus make great patio and indoor plants. Above 32 degrees F, grow outside in full sun. Where temperatures drop below 32 degrees F, bring indoors until warm weather returns the next spring."

Knowing that others have seen oranges with thorns makes me feel a little better. If oranges need a cross-pollinator, I may need to get a second one.



walkin2e -> RE: Thorns on an orange tree? (7/12/2008 7:21:56 AM)

About 10 years ago, I bought a kumquat, a tangelo, and an orange tree. The cold killed them back to the graft; I lost one of the trees. The other two have thrived; one is about 15 feet tall, and both have some of the best lemons you've ever tasted, and those ole thorns, too.

I live by our old home place, and there is a kumquat tree there that is over 50 years old, and produces loads ever year. It has small thorns.

I was told that most citrus trees are grafted on lemon stock.

walkin2e



flowerz -> RE: Thorns on an orange tree? (7/14/2008 12:10:46 PM)

I planted some seeds from a tangerine years ago, and my plant definitely has thorns. Rather long ones too. It surprised me when I first seen them. They weren't on the plant when it was younger.



WaitingforBoaz -> RE: Thorns on an orange tree? (7/14/2008 2:58:55 PM)

I live in Arizona and between my MIL and myself we have 4 orange trees 2 lemons 1 grapefruit, 2 kumquat and a tangelo.....they all have thorns.[:D]



OneJohn410 -> RE: Thorns on an orange tree? (7/18/2008 1:28:32 AM)

This is too amazing. I just spoke with a senior citizen not too long ago, who showed me her thorny orange tree in her back yard.

Let me ask you this, when does the fruit ripen on your tree? This woman said she didn't see anything ripen until November. I commented how wonderful- citrus prices are up in the winter... you've got some real bargaining power there.

Thanks,
OneJohn410

I'm thinking that as mentioned, those are just 'dead end' branches that came to a sharp point, but wow! What a point.



doinkdom -> RE: Thorns on an orange tree? (7/18/2008 9:41:33 AM)

We saw ripe fruit sometime in August/September but the trees were not in a grove or being groomed for mass production. We had fruit well into the first freeze sometime near or after Christmas.



creationtalk -> RE: Thorns on an orange tree? (7/20/2008 2:03:32 PM)

OK, I feel much better about the thorns now. I had no idea that citrus had thorns. Learn something every day I guess.

Thanks much.



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