Thinning fruit to prevent alternate bearing?

TexasTycoon · March 17, 2016

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/patiocitrus/containers.html

^That page on container citrus from TAMU recommends thinning fruit in the spring to one fruit per every 42 leaves. I generally take TAMU's advice at face value because I figure they've done the research and know what they're talking about, but I'm having a hard time digesting this recommendation which would leave my new Seto satsuma mandarin (which currently has over 20 fruits set and at least as many blossoms) with about 3 or 4 fruit for this season.

It is so tempting to leave everything on that has set and just see what happens, but I've already jacked up one satsuma by not heeding advice, so I don't really want to repeat that.

What say you, citrus-growing members of T-ville?

March 17, 2016	#1
TexasTycoon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2015 Location: Round Rock, TX, Zone 8b Posts: 1,157	Thinning fruit to prevent alternate bearing? http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/patiocitrus/containers.html ^That page on container citrus from TAMU recommends thinning fruit in the spring to one fruit per every 42 leaves. I generally take TAMU's advice at face value because I figure they've done the research and know what they're talking about, but I'm having a hard time digesting this recommendation which would leave my new Seto satsuma mandarin (which currently has over 20 fruits set and at least as many blossoms) with about 3 or 4 fruit for this season. It is so tempting to leave everything on that has set and just see what happens, but I've already jacked up one satsuma by not heeding advice, so I don't really want to repeat that. What say you, citrus-growing members of T-ville? __________________ -Kelly "To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow." - Audrey Hepburn Bloom where you are planted.