NYC Citrus

[chris]

Hi Everyone,

I recently posted this in the tropical fruit forum, but this is probably a better place to post:

My name is Chris and I'm new to this forum, but I've been growing subtropical plants here in NYC for a few years and have become very interested in experimenting with cold hardy citrus in the ground. I already have Poncirus Trifoliata, but want to test some hybrids or other species. I'm located in Zone 7b, right near the coast with an average annual low just above 5F. We rarely hit 0 here, maybe once a decade or less.

Some of the potential candidates I'm considering are:
Morton Citrange
Rusk Citrange
Thomasville Citrangequat
US-852 Citrandarin
Ichang Papeda
Dunstan Citrumelo

I've reached out to Stan McKenzie, but unfortunately he's out of stock for most of these. However, I've found a source offering Morton Citrange and Ichang Papeda. My only concern is that they are on their own roots and this might affect hardiness, which in my climate, I'll need every bit of additional hardiness I can get. I don't believe Ichang Papeda is usually grafted onto PT, but I think Stan grafts most of his citrus to this rootstock. My question is, will this affect the hardiness enough that I should avoid buying the Morton Citrange? They also offer Troyer Citrange, but I couldn't find much information on this variety so any info is much appreciated.

Thank you all for your help!

[Laaz]

Welcome to the forum. They are all quite hardy on their own roots. The only way to know what will survive in your climate is to try them. Swingle would be a good choice as well.

[kumin]

Chris, do you have any experience with budding/grafting? Developing the skill would open up additional opportunities in customization and experimentation. It's a bit like learning to ride a bicycle, once learned, occasional practice helps to retain the skill.

[chris]

Apr 29, 2020 11:21:02 GMT -5 kumin said:

Chris, do you have any experience with budding/grafting? Developing the skill would open up additional opportunities in customization and experimentation. It's a bit like learning to ride a bicycle, once learned, occasional practice helps to retain the skill.

Yes, I do. I've been growing figs for a number of years and created a few multivariety trees. I was thinking of grafting the Morton to an extra trifoliate that I have. It might be a good experiement to compare the hardiness on it's own roots vs on trifoilate.

[Sylvain]

With minimums of 5F I only see two citrus that can stand it: Poncirus and Prague chimera.

As you know how to graft, you could find scions in US to graft on poncirus.

People will help you to find some. Stan McKenzie has it.

This chimera gives very good fruits even if the tree looks very odd.
Furthermore it would be interesting to test this citrus for so low temperatures.

[roberto]

Some years ago there was no Damage at all on my "Prague" after -15°C It may take -18°C/0°F aswell. But luckily I did not see such temperatures for a long time.

[poncirusguy]

Apr 30, 2020 5:45:12 GMT -5 roberto said:

Some years ago there was no Damage at all on my "Prague" after -15°C It may take -18°C/0°F aswell. But luckily I did not see such temperatures for a long time.

How do you like the fruits.  Can you describe them.  were they worth growing.

[Florian]

Apr 30, 2020 8:27:42 GMT -5 poncirusguy said:

Apr 30, 2020 5:45:12 GMT -5 roberto said:

Some years ago there was no Damage at all on my "Prague" after -15°C It may take -18°C/0°F aswell. But luckily I did not see such temperatures for a long time.

How do you like the fruits.  Can you describe them.  were they worth growing.

They are sweet, like a satsuma. I have only had fruit for the first time last year and the membranes were maybe a bit more chewy than in a normal Satsuma. But otherwise they were excellent and fruit quality will only improve with age.

[poncirusguy]

Florian
Thank you.  All I currently have is limited to a low of 15-F  unless Meiwa on its own roots will survive lower.  The Prague is the only citrus than can grow outside in ground with a floor less tent covering it for the 1 in 3 years average that we go below 0-F.  I am growing citrus with more success than cherries, peaches, apples, raspberries, Paw Paws, blackberries,  I am however doing about as good with sour cherries.  Strange for zone 6.

[Sylvain]

You could experiment with and without a tent. We are just beginning to build our knowledge about this plant.
The only limiting thing is to avoid temperatures lower than 22F when the fruits are on the tree, but it is true for any citrus...