Hardening a citrus tree Cold frame for -5F cold front

[poncirsguy]

Sealing all leaks in cold frame setup to keep cold hardy citrus trees  alive through a night of  -21C / -5F

[brian]

That looks pretty solid.  I think it'll work.  Maybe put a light bulb in there for some extra heat if you're worried

[poncirsguy]

Thanks.  It already has 2 CFL's 13 watts each.  I will be adding more before the big drop.

[brian]

I assume you already realize this but... you could just swap the CFLs for incandescent if heat output is what counts

[poncirsguy]

Brian  Yes I did.  I will be adding 8 more CFL's with more light with the heat.  It is getting close to the time this tree would start growing if it were in its normal growing zone.

[Millet]

Is that presently  a fruiting tree?

[poncirsguy]

The fukushu kumquat tree at 7 feet tall and 5 feet diameter should be but isn't.  The new Zealand lemonade is actively producing fruit.

[Millet]

Poncirusguy, good things come to those who wait.

[Citradia]

I tried heat lamp bulbs inside greenhouse-like enclosures before but had issues; the bulbs would shatter overnight and the trees still froze to death. It made me wonder if the humidity inside or the rapid change from cold to hot when the bulbs came on made them shatter. That’s one reason I now use the 250 watt blowing soleil space heaters.

[poncirsguy]

CFL's and LED's don't have that problem of shattering.  You have to use more of them but then the tree starts to grow and flower.

[Citradia]

Well, hopefully it doesn’t stay so warm inside the enclosure that they break dormancy and start growing in February or March since you’re going to have freezing temps through April which you know will damage an actively growing tree in early spring.

[lebmung]

Put blankets on top, trees can survive without light for two weeks or even a month . Also carbon wire used for pipes like 200W will keep that encloser warm.

[poncirsguy]

Lots of ripening fruits, with new flowers and many new growth shoots in mid January.  No heat or lights.  I have to keep the tree worm enough to keep it growing and safe for the rest of the cold season.

[brian]

That's a really nice looking tree.  No bugs, no discoloration.  Nice and green, and blooming to boot.

[Millet]

Poncirusguy, you have shown a lot of ingenuity growing your tree in Ohio.  Great looking tree.  Good work.

[jimmy_va]

Great job Poncirusguy!