The EASIEST Way I’ve ever Rooted Citrus Cuttings

After a prior experiment rooting citrus cuttings, I decided to build an ebb and flow system (or flood and drain system) to help me root citrus rootstocks more easily. Although I had some success with my citrus rooting experiment, it was way too much work and I wanted to find an easier way. With my ebb and flow system I saw that some citrus rootstocks are easier to root than others. I have now used my ebb and flow setup to root citrus cuttings, root fig cuttings, and root other fruit tree cuttings.
Materials that I used to build my flood and drain system can be found here:
fruitmentor.com/materials-for...
This video shows how to order disease-free citrus cuttings in California:
• Ordering Citrus Budwoo...
This article shows where disease-free citrus cuttings can be acquired in other parts of the world:
www.fruitmentor.com/citrus-bu...
These are my prior two videos about rooting citrus from cuttings:
• Growing Citrus from Cu... (rooting and grafting in one step)
• Growing Citrus from Cu... (rooting with ebb and flow system)
The video and photo of Pele’s hair are courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey at Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano.

[@ganzip6038]

You really know your stuff. Love the dedication to preventing diseases

[@Fruitmentor]

Thank you!

[@donk.johnson7346]

smart guy, well shot and edited videos.

[@ethanpayne4116]

Great video, very informative and entertaining to anyone who with an interest in citrus or horticulture. Also very nice to see the process of constructing the flood/drain system.

[@Fruitmentor]

Thank you!

[@foxtrot260]

I was looking forward to this video, I want to do this type of grafting but I had doubts, thank you and a save from Brazil

[@Fruitmentor]

Thank you! That graft did very well. It worked better than the rooting.

[@Shaun.Stephens]

Hi Dan, thanks for this and your experiments. I've just come back and double-checked your channel to ensure I was till subscribed as I'm looking forward to the follow-up video to this (I see there's still a place-holder in the corner at the end). Cheers.

[@DtsProjects]

I really appreciate your videos and advice. Thank you!

[@Fruitmentor]

You are so welcome!

[@tohopes]

Just when we thought the Fruit Mentor had abandoned us, he is back with a DIY vid. For me this video opened with an ad of a guy yelling into the camera "Stop watching aquaponics videos!!" who claimed to have the secret to growing bigger peppers and squashes. Maybe I should have clicked his ad and asked him about rooting citrus rootstocks.

[@Fruitmentor]

Sorry about the ad! Please let me know if there are other topics that you would like me to cover. Thank you!

[@tohopes]

@@Fruitmentor pruning, i would guess, is something in the same vein as your grafting vids. and of more broad potential appeal. not for me, particularly; i think i understand well enough how to prune. but a lot of people with fruit trees in their yards don't understand how heavily, how frequently, why to prune, which buds to select and why. what happens if you don't prune. etc. maybe not the best time of year to approach that, though.

[@ethanpayne4116]

@@Fruitmentor This type of experiment/project-documentation where you show the whole process I think would be a great format for future videos. Also like @tohopes mentioned general tree care tips and tricks I'm sure would have a broad appeal.

[@ashwarirai]

Great job 👌

[@Fruitmentor]

Thank you!!

[@craigv2963]

That was awesome

[@Fruitmentor]

Thank you! I am glad that you enjoyed it!

[@SherrisPlants]

Thank you so much brilliant information

[@Fruitmentor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@montypalmer4556]

Wow! That's easy!

[@soobong94]

So professional!

[@Fruitmentor]

Thank you!!

[@soobong94]

@@Fruitmentor I learned a lot from your Korean Channel~ Very helpful!

[@Fruitmentor]

Thank you! I am glad that you enjoyed the Korean channel!!!

[@mihaiilie8808]

Verry interesting and a lot to learn from this. I was thinking to use ultrasonic misters but this seems just as good.

[@Fruitmentor]

Thank you! I am glad that you enjoyed it!

[@Shaun.Stephens]

I've been experimenting with 'fogponics' to root citrus in netpots and vermiculite and so far I'm 6 for 6 at rooting scion cuttings. Next I'm going to scale up a bit and try to root pre-grafted rootstock like Dan did in his other video. Happy growing!

[@denniskatinas]

Welcome back.

[@Fruitmentor]

Thank you! I have some new videos coming up that I hope you will enjoy. I've changed the style a little trying to make them better.

[@denniskatinas]

@@Fruitmentor it shows, I am looking forward to learning all new developments, especially about the program looking for HLB resistant varieties.

[@Shaun.Stephens]

Hi again Dan. Are you still intending to do the follow-up telling us which varieties root well from cuttings? I've made a system like this and could really use that information. Thanks.

[@Fruitmentor]

Hi Shaun, I apologize that I have not published a follow up video yet. I meant to do it sooner, but now I will probably do some other topics first. It may have been overkill to use this system for figs since they are relatively easy to root, but the success rate I have seen with Figs is 100% -- much better than I have achieved with any other technique. I also saw 100% success rate for pomegranates. I also tried a few mulberry hardwood cuttings which failed. I would like to try mulberry softwood cuttings and some other things, but I have not had the chance yet. I would be interested to hear your results if you try some other things. Good luck!!

[@XaViEr3520]

Great idea! I just don’t se myself building a ebb and flow system 😅 I’ll just keep growing rootstock from seed and grafting the old school way 😬

[@Fruitmentor]

Yes. For citrus seed-grown rootstocks are the best. I hope that I can save people wasted effort on rooting with this video.

[@maniaverdesa-plantaseenxertos.]

Hello friend! Wonderful work! 👍

[@Fruitmentor]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@maniaverdesa-plantaseenxertos.]

@@Fruitmentor, a big hug here from Brazil for you!🇧🇷👍

[@305Gardener]

Such an awesome video, I wonder how this system performs compared to an aerocloner often used in the cannabis industry. Also, curious if adding a nutrient such as clonex would yield stronger cuttings.

[@GrimReaper-kr6je]

Labor of Love Now thats what you call results As in results And shared THANKS A LOVE More BLESSINGS for YOU

[@Fruitmentor]

Thank you! I am glad that you enjoyed it!

[@Dabatha710]

THANKYOU

[@Fruitmentor]

You’re welcome!

[@chelsealove9166]

What rootstock do you think is best for Meyer lemon trees? For container growing a dwarf tree?

[@jacopodanglars4836]

Hello, thanks for the video. Ive tried several ways trying to clone citrus, the one that works the best is air rooting for me, but sometimes air rooting isn’t an option.

[@Fruitmentor]

The problem with air layering is that the new plant will have any diseases from the tree from which it was taken. With this technique, I was trying to root cuttings known to be disease-free from a clean budwood program so that I could be certain that my new plant would be free of disease.

[@tanjamarinkovic1429]

Bravo🤩

[@Fruitmentor]

Thank you! I am glad that you enjoyed it!

[@sciencetopics7053]

I've been using air layering methods to great success, low-effort and high-rooting rates!

[@krisk4114]

Is it possible to just put the stem in the ground with natural root growing hormones cause i have a lemon tree i want another of

[@441rider]

I have had great results with grafting cocktail grapefruit to yuzu stock which I think is on flying dragon rootstock. LOL!

[@thaffardabesh1653]

Hey Dan, have you ever tried to root citrus cuttings with a commercial cloner? Do you have any advice on what to add to the water if you have? I just received a cloner and was going to try cloning cuttings with a clonex solution.

[@Fruitmentor]

I would not expect that you would have to add anything to the water. I would be interested to hear how it works for you. Good luck!

[@timingisperfect]

Which rootstocks grew? I have only had rooting success with Volkameriana, which could be what you found as well. Beautiful system and so well captured on video!

[@Fruitmentor]

Thank you! The ones that did the best for me were Volkameriana, Cuban Shaddock, and Yuma Ponderosa lemon. I had more detail on that in a prior video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJvXo2dqhqicbZo

[@warrenpeas]

can you root using a hydroponic system where the cuttings are always under water with nutrients and an air pump?

[@Fruitmentor]

It might work, but I suspect that the varieties that make the best rootstocks might also be the hardest to root. I've tried it without nutrients and air and it did not work. I'm growing all of my citrus rootstocks from seed now. I'd recommend that over rooting.

[@claravoyitamancbern9305]

Hello I will like to ask you if you know the reason why my orange tree stared to give small broken fruits?

[@Fruitmentor]

Cracked fruits can occur due to irregular irrigation.

[@claravoyitamancbern9305]

Hello; I will like to ask you why my orange tree stopped growing the fruit, now the oranges are small and the majority of them are open?

[@Fruitmentor]

It is hard to say without more information, but citrus trees are heavy feeders and a common issue is not enough fertilizer.

[@donk.johnson7346]

I am trying to graft cuttings from my family naval orange tree. I sold the house. The tree is over 50+ years old and I want to graft it to a new tree I just got at a nursey. I've tried the T bud technique, and that didn't work. So I am trying to root the cuttings as well as all the other ways I've seen here. What product are you using for your hormon mixture for rooting. I'm in southern CA right now, but thinking of moving to Northern CA soon, where I hope to plant my tree. Thanks.

[@Fruitmentor]

Please don’t do that for several reasons. First of all the weather is colder in Northern California which means that your fruit won’t be as sweet even if you were to succeed. It would make much more sense to either buy a Fukumoto navel orange tree or graft your own using certified disease free budwood from the CCPP. Fukumoto will give you better fruit in Northern California than whatever navel variety you have in your yard in Southern California. Furthermore moving citrus trees or propagative material from Southern California to Northern California is highly illegal for a very good reason. You might spread the deadly huanglongbing disease from Southern California to Northern California. This would be the first instance of HLB in Northern California and when the authorities detect it they would be able to trace it to your yard. Please see my video about the CDFA detection program here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/naLcgo2JgK2seLM They caught someone who moved a tree along with the Asian Citrus Psyllids that spread HLB from socal to NorCal. I would not want to be written up in the newspaper like this guy: www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2012-apr-14-la-me-citrus-disease-20120414-story.html I think he was investigated by the FBI for bioterrorism. I would not want to be him at the airport coming home from overseas. I bet they go through everything in his luggage quite thoroughly every time. Please, please, just buy a new navel tree from a reputable nursery. One more video that I encourage you to watch: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHKklmuKo7VmnLM

[@cadenrenner1429]

Where do you get your parafilm at?

[@Fruitmentor]

I have a web page here that shows where I bought my grafting tools and supplies: fruitmentor.com/GraftingTools

[@jpsamy_inthezone]

❤❤❤

[@Ramiz422]

Can i graft lemon into an orange tree? I have a beautiful orange plant and i want it to produce lemons too. Do you think the graft would perform better?

[@Fruitmentor]

I think that would work.

[@MrWhiltetail]

Will this work on Persimmons?

[@TheRealHonestInquiry]

What would be a good source of seeds for starting citrus rootstock from seed? I have a bunch of lemon seeds but I read a comment of yours saying that tangerines and oranges sometimes had lower-quality fruit when grafted to lemon rootstock, so what would be the best seeds to start with? Also, can you confirm another viewer's comment in another video, that all California citrus rootstock used for nursery stock is treated with persistent synthetic neonicotinoids like Imidacloprid? I'm concerned about killing pollinators and ingesting the poison myself and would never consciously support Monsanto/Bayer. Great info on your channel, thanks!

[@Fruitmentor]

Thank you! I'm glad that you enjoy the channel! Based on your description it sounds like the viewer comment on the other video may be misleading. Pesticides are applied at production nurseries before trees are shipped to retail nurseries. Based on the studies that I know about, I would not expect that there would be an issue with killing pollinators because the pesticide would be washed out and at a very low level before the tree ever bloomed. The following article has details and graphs that show the decline in pesticide over time: faculty.ucr.edu/~mattd/assets/files/Byrne%20et%20al.%202020%20-citrograph.pdf If you would still like to avoid the pesticides, you can do this by buying a tree mail order from a reputable nursery rather than from a retail nursery. Because mail order trees are shipped directly from insect-proof facilities, pesticides need not be applied.

[@georgegg2082]

Have you tried the kratky hydroponic method to see if it works ??

[@Fruitmentor]

I tried something similar to kratky and it did not work. It will be the subject of a future video.

[@cosmicallyspeaking871]

A friend of mine has a unique mandarin tree in her property in Santa Monica, CA. The flavor & taste of the fruits is unbelievable! But nobody knows what type of mandarin it is. I tried to compare it with all kinds of mandarin I can get my hands on from grocery stores & other trees, just to figure out its type. I tried to take the fruits to the nurseries in the neighborhood. No success. The people at the nurseries would not even entertain such a thought or help. It is extremely juicy, very sweet, has a unique flavor, has lots of seeds. How can I find out what kind of mandarin it is? Any direction, help, pointers appreciated. Thanks.

[@Ramiz422]

Just get a branch and graft it. No need to know the name just enjoy the taste.

[@gabrielsitanggang859]

What the cost charged for the cutting ? Im considering to purchase some

[@Fruitmentor]

You can contact the CCPP for pricing. Unfortunately the price has gone up. Also there are extra charges for sending the budwood outside of California.

[@dimasfishingoficialpesca3980]

Parabéns Amigo Vídeo Show Top Demais Like Já Garantido Pra Fortalecer Chegando Pra Somar Tamo Junto 🤜🏿🤛🏻 BRASIL🇧🇷*.....

[@d.d.l2463]

Hola 👋

[@Fruitmentor]

Hola

[@richgarden]

Hi Dan, love your channel . I want to grow around 2500 citrus in my backyard. For resale once bigger for profit to supplement my disability pension. I'm planing on buying 5000 flying dragon seeds then adding budwood grafting when flying dragon is old enough.what age would that be? ... Am I going in the right direction? Would love to know how you would do this? Fastest way etc. Thank you so much for your videos.

[@Fruitmentor]

Thank you! I have some flying dragon seedlings that are about a year old and I'm going to try grafting them soon. They are a bit small for T-budding, so I'm going to try chip budding. I'm planning to do a video on it if I can. Many nurseries these days graft citrus young by chip budding. I've grafted to several other rootstocks that I planted last year. Flying dragon grows more slowly, so I'll see if they are big enough to graft. Good luck with your project! Where do you live?

[@richgarden]

@@Fruitmentor Hello , I am in South Australia. I have planted flying dragon , p. Trifoliata and Carrizo citrange. About 1500 seeds all up . I will look into chip budding. The plan so far is to use micro grafting. I have learnt alot since writing this comment . I appreciate your reply . Check my channel to see "so far" and hopefully they all sprout in next 2 weeks . Also go 80 blueberry tubestocks going . Look forward to your video! Also used Auscitrus (our version of disease free seeds and budwood supplies)

[@Fruitmentor]

Good luck with your project! I planted a bunch of my rootstocks in square pots like the ones you have and those pots seem to be doing very well.

[@MakePeace123]

Whats your Favorite rootstock?

[@Fruitmentor]

Carrizo and C-35 are two of my favorites. I like Volkamer lemon rootstock for lemons.

[@pranavsaxena664]

👏👏👏

[@Fruitmentor]

Thank you!

[@portaadonai]

I stick my scions in the ground in semi-shade, cover mostly with mulch, during early spring rainy season while it's cool and humid out... and walk away

[@citrusgarden7028]

Hello. My name is Sergey, I'm from Ukraine. Can you please tell me where you can buy citrumelo seeds? Thank you!

[@Fruitmentor]

Hi Sergey, Auscitrus might be a good option for you: www.auscitrus.com.au/

[@citrusgarden7028]

@@Fruitmentor thank you very much

[@Fruitmentor]

@@citrusgarden7028 You're welcome!

[@claravoyitamancbern9305]

Also my lemon tree isn’t growing fruits; it just gave me a big lemon 🍋.

[@solararias]

How is this the easy way? Nice setup though. LOL

[@Fruitmentor]

Thank you! I guess the setup looks hard, but it was so nice not to have to spend so much time and effort watering over several months. Once I had it automated there was not too much to do. I could even go on vacation without asking someone to go water.