How to trim a healthy blood orange citrus?

erikc

Hello I left this citrus alone and off-centre too long, 2 healthy but low and near horizontal branches developed turning it from a major stem to 3 main branches, do I need to prune right back the new side branches and straighten the young tree so it is more columnar? 

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @erikc. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about citrus care.

There's a possibility that all the new growth on the left is a sucker from the grafted rootstock. The size of the leaves, growth from low down on the plant, unusually flat branching, colour and vigorous growth are all indicators. However, the only thing that would make me question is that it appears to be growing from above the graft zone. Though, closer inspection might reveal otherwise. If this growth were any lower, I'd say to cut it off at the mark I've placed below.

Since it's above the graft zone, this could be a citrus water shoot/sprout, and the general consensus is to cut them off, as they typically do not produce quality fruit and suck energy from the plant and overshadow it.

Let me mention a couple of our gardening experts, @Noelle and @mich1972, to get their thoughts.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell