Hi, I have a mandarin tree that is three years old and has long sharp spikes all over it. It has never flowered or shown any sign of fruiting. Is it true to its label. Thanks.

Hi Robert, citrus are usually sold as grafted plants, where fruiting wood is taken from an existing fruiting tree and grafted onto a seedling plant (root stock), or grown from cuttings. Grafting is done so that the plant is the same as the parent plant and the plant benefits from the vigour of the root stock. Cutting grown plants often don't have the same vigour as grafted plants. Typically mandarin tree foliage does have fine spikes, but if the spikes are like thorns, the foliage is sparse and the stem is dark green, it maybe the rootstock that has overtaken the grafted plant, this will be coming away from the base of the plant where it was grafted. This foliage can be removed, feel free to send in a photo of your mandarin tree to confirm that this is what has happened. Make sure your tree is planted in well drained soil, in a sunny sheltered spot, fertilise your tree in early spring and again in late summer with Tui Citrus Food, keep the tree well watered in the summer months, mulch around the tree to help conserve soil moisture and if you are in a frost prone area protect the tree from frost in winter. Lianne.