"Steve" wrote in message
...
Tom J wrote:
Dioclese wrote:

My end intention is to transplant to the front yard for southern sun
exposure blockage on the house The original tree was grown from
seed, about 2 years old, and around 16" tall.

If I expected to have lemons to use off my trees, I'd go to the nursery
and get 2 grafted lemon trees and plant 15 or 20 feet apart for cross
pollination. If the nurseries in your area don't carry citrus trees, that
should tell you something!

If just to have a tropical tree, let it grow until you have a good strong
trunk and cut the others.

Tom J

Tom's right.

Let everything grow this year so there is enough new top to keep the roots
alive. Later decide which sprout would make the best trunk. You might not
cut off the other parts completely at first but cut them back giving the
advantage to the new trunk. (Cut the other parts off completely at some
point.)

You could plant it out in your yard any time, BUT... if it died back in
the pot, what's going to happen some year when you have a winter that's
just a little colder than this one was? Will it die back to the ground
again? If everyone in your neighborhood has citrus with no problem, then
maybe your tree would be fine too once in the ground. If not, do you
really want a tree in your front yard that might keep dying back?

Steve



Good point, Steve. My feeling is the fact the few freezes I had killed the
main tree above ground. You are right. No reason that won't occur in the
future planted in the ground. But, I recall my grandma had a fully grown
orange tree since I can remember. There was some hard freezes. So, am
guessing its the roll of the dice for warm winter temps to occur for a few
years before the tree itself can tolerate cold temps without killing it.
--
Dave