How Do You Graft Dwarf Citrus Trees?
Growing dwarf citrus trees is a great way to create an orchard in a small yard. Dwarf orange, lemon and lime trees can all be grown if you live in the proper climate. The basics for grafting are the same, no matter what type of tree you want to propagate. Grafted properly, a dwarf citrus tree planted from rootstock bought at a local nursery will produce full-sized fruit in a few short years. Ask permission from neighbors before cutting a single twig from their citrus tree. After you’ve gotten permission, cut a healthy, 6- to 9-inch branch from one of the limbs at a 45-degree angle, making sure to get one that has multiple twigs branching out. The angle is important—the larger the cut surface area is, the better the chance that the graft will take. Choose a branch of the same diameter on your root stock. Cut it at the same 45-degree angle. Match up the cut ends of the graft branch and the host tree so that they fit snugly together. The cambium layers just under the bark must meet firm
