Spiny Suckers on Meyer Lemon: Rootstock Growth—Remove Below Graft

Green spiny shoots with lemon-like leaves growing from base are rootstock suckers. They’ll overtake the grafted Meyer lemon.

Fix

Cut them off below the graft union (usually 6–12 in above soil). Any growth from rootstock must be removed promptly.

Plant Diseases: Meyer Lemon Fruit Deformities: Genetic Quirks, Not Disease; Meyer Lemon Decline: Yellowing Leaves and Branches in Arizona; Meyer Lemon Pest Management: Slugs, Aphids, Leaf Curl, and Organic Fruit Safety; Aphids on Indoor Meyer Lemon: Organic and Chemical Options; Meyer Lemon Fruit Scarring: Insect Identification and Pre-Harvest Timing; Meyer Lemon Indoor Crisis: Aphids, Whiteflies, and Root Care; Meyer Lemon Multiple Issues: Neem Oil for Pests, Fungus, and Fungus Gnats; Meyer Lemon in NJ: Indoor Pests, Pot Size, and Neem Oil Rescue; Meyer Lemon Beaded Stems: Scale Insects; Troubleshooting Leaf Drop on an Indoor Meyer Lemon Tree

Garden Articles

Plants