Success with rooting a satsuma cutting?

Question

Has anyone had success with rooting a satsuma cutting? Or a cutting from a lemon or lime tree. I've heard that lemon cuttings have the highest rate of success and that satsumas are very hard or near impossable to start from cuttings.

Answer 1

Favorite Answer

Satsumas are next to impossible to root from a cutting. We have been trying for five years or more, with no success. Lemons take easily. We have a number of them in pots right now.

Answer 2

As cajundude said, they are very difficult to root from cuttings. A more reliable way is by air-layering if you have access to the tree. To air-layer a new plant first, remove the bark on the underside of the new plant for about 1 to 1 1/2 inches. Coat the branch with rooting hormone and wrap the slit in sphagnum moss that has been soaked in water overnight. Loosely wrap with a layer of plastic, secure the top and bottom to prevent leakage, check at least once a week to assure adequate moisture inside and, after a few months, gently unwrap to check for roots. Once roots are formed cut the branch from the main plant below the new root growth and plant into your container or yard. Keep in mind that most citrus is grafted onto hardy root stock; your new tree may not produce fruit as expected. Still, it's worth a try.

Good luck and enjoy!