I too have had issues with Citation understock and peaches. They just runt out terrible for me. We have a fairtime peach on citation thats 3 years in the ground and still no more than 35" tall. Grows about 3-4 inches a year. Citation works well for we on plums, pluots, and apricots but not peaches.
Lots of people here in Phoenix cant stand Citation at all due to its sensitivity to drought. Thats less of a issue for me because we are on a flood irrigation system.
This is my pet knock against DWN, and it’s probably their worst kept secret. Citation is a Zaiger rootstock and they push it too heavily when it comes to peaches and nectarines: Problems with peach and nectarine trees on Citation
Personally I appreciate a more vigorous rootstock for peaches and nects. I can control vigor with proper pruning and husbandry.
Good info to know. I do have a pluot tree, and the Nectaplum on citation and they grow like crazy, it seems to work for plums, apricots, and pluots. The nectaplum must have enough plum in it to not be bothered. It grew about 6 feet last year! I see lot’s of heavy pruning in my future!
No more peach or nectarines on this rootstock for me.
I think the reason why DWN pushes for Citation on everything is its ability to dwarf. Peaches/nectarines on standard rootstocks will be too much for backyard gardeners afraid of pruning fruit trees to size. Citation also renders precocity so customers are happy to see fruit so early.
Having said that, I’m starting to see somes peaches being offered on lovell rootstock off late.
In my case citation didn’t beat Lovell to fruiting, both fruited the 3rd year. They probably would have the 2nd year, but mother nature got in the way.
Drew, mine is struggling too. It has grown probably a foot in a year. Whatever fruit it sets, I’d have to take most of it out as this tree cannot hold it. I’d also like Lovell next time but DWN doesn’t seem to have any nectarines here on Lovell yet.
Yeah I got mine from a local orchard, Grandpa’s. They carry Arctic Glo on Lovell, or did anyway. Raintree sometimes has them on Lovell too, so does Adams. The rootstock is used a lot around here. I have seen the Zaiger trees on Lovell, but only nurseries close to me besides Raintree.
Bay Laurel and probably grow organics, 2 California nurseries has them too, DWN does graft to Lovell too.
True many of the trees from these nurseries are bigger. I myself prefer them. I don’t mind the scaffolds up a little higher, it’s only a foot or so, and is fine with me. Plus I have a head start, scaffolds are formed already. I’m starting to think it best not to head at all until the 2nd year. I’m doing that with Nadia. I now can see how structure is going and which scaffolds to start with. So I’m giving it a head cut this year (2nd year). I’m leaning more that way now.
If I were to get a small tree I may chop it knee high right away. Otherwise I think I’m sticking to above.
More follow up. It’s probably a bit early yet but I brought in the first aprium and the taste was very bland. I’m going to let the others sit much longer. Even if under ripe there should at least be some acid punch, not so. And not being a fan of the typical apricot texture, this one has the typical apricot texture. I’ll give it some time, but this isn’t a great start.
EDIT: File this under, “It’s me, not you.” My wife just ate the other half and loved it. My palate does not have the apricot taste gene. But I do like ‘Royal’ a lot.
I have two Tomcots almost ready. It is the tiniest tree, but I left 2 apricots on it, because this is really it’s 1st growing season! I planted int bare root last year. OMG. I think I’m going to love this apricot. VERY fruitful already. And it’s still pretty small. Going to fertilize it well after I pick the fruit to encourage some good growth for next year. Shame on me, but I couldn’t wait to taste the fruit. Blenheim is still aways from ripening and so is Flavor Rich aprium, which has its first really good crop this year. Now, to keep the rats, squirrels and birds out of my ripe trees.
I keep all my trees under 8’ with Summer pruning regardless of rootstock. By the way, flavor delight was very productive and of excellent quality this year.