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The Tropical Fruit Forum
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Citrus
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Citrus General Discussion
(Moderator:
Millet
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Hardening a citrus tree Cold frame for -5F cold front
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Topic: Hardening a citrus tree Cold frame for -5F cold front (Read 1439 times)
poncirsguy
Hero Member
Posts: 729
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, 6a/6b
Hardening a citrus tree Cold frame for -5F cold front
«
on:
February 05, 2021, 03:09:34 PM »
Sealing all leaks in cold frame setup to keep cold hardy citrus trees alive through a night of -21C / -5F
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brian
Hero Member
Posts: 3377
Pennsylvania (zone 6) w/ heated greenhouse
Re: Hardening a citrus tree Cold frame for -5F cold front
«
Reply #1 on:
February 05, 2021, 04:26:41 PM »
That looks pretty solid. I think it'll work. Maybe put a light bulb in there for some extra heat if you're worried
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poncirsguy
Hero Member
Posts: 729
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, 6a/6b
Re: Hardening a citrus tree Cold frame for -5F cold front
«
Reply #2 on:
February 05, 2021, 07:14:49 PM »
Thanks. It already has 2 CFL's 13 watts each. I will be adding more before the big drop.
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brian
Hero Member
Posts: 3377
Pennsylvania (zone 6) w/ heated greenhouse
Re: Hardening a citrus tree Cold frame for -5F cold front
«
Reply #3 on:
February 05, 2021, 08:37:12 PM »
I assume you already realize this but... you could just swap the CFLs for incandescent if heat output is what counts
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poncirsguy
Hero Member
Posts: 729
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, 6a/6b
Re: Hardening a citrus tree Cold frame for -5F cold front
«
Reply #4 on:
February 05, 2021, 11:52:49 PM »
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.
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Millet
Moderator
Hero Member
Posts: 4814
Colorado
Re: Hardening a citrus tree Cold frame for -5F cold front
«
Reply #5 on:
February 06, 2021, 01:29:37 PM »
Is that presently a fruiting tree?
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poncirsguy
Hero Member
Posts: 729
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, 6a/6b
Re: Hardening a citrus tree Cold frame for -5F cold front
«
Reply #6 on:
February 06, 2021, 11:31:25 PM »
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.
«
Last Edit: February 06, 2021, 11:33:25 PM by poncirsguy
»
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Millet
Moderator
Hero Member
Posts: 4814
Colorado
Re: Hardening a citrus tree Cold frame for -5F cold front
«
Reply #7 on:
February 07, 2021, 03:09:11 PM »
Poncirusguy, good things come to those who wait.
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Citradia
Hero Member
Posts: 958
USA/NC/Old Fort/6B
Re: Hardening a citrus tree Cold frame for -5F cold front
«
Reply #8 on:
February 08, 2021, 09:14:47 AM »
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.
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poncirsguy
Hero Member
Posts: 729
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, 6a/6b
Re: Hardening a citrus tree Cold frame for -5F cold front
«
Reply #9 on:
February 08, 2021, 09:44:13 AM »
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.
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Citradia
Hero Member
Posts: 958
USA/NC/Old Fort/6B
Re: Hardening a citrus tree Cold frame for -5F cold front
«
Reply #10 on:
February 08, 2021, 11:18:52 AM »
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.
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lebmung
Hero Member
Posts: 1097
Romania, Bucharest,7b (inside city 8a)
Re: Hardening a citrus tree Cold frame for -5F cold front
«
Reply #11 on:
February 13, 2021, 09:01:40 AM »
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.
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poncirsguy
Hero Member
Posts: 729
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, 6a/6b
Re: Hardening a citrus tree Cold frame for -5F cold front
«
Reply #12 on:
February 13, 2021, 11:24:16 PM »
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.
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brian
Hero Member
Posts: 3377
Pennsylvania (zone 6) w/ heated greenhouse
Re: Hardening a citrus tree Cold frame for -5F cold front
«
Reply #13 on:
February 14, 2021, 12:26:06 AM »
That's a really nice looking tree. No bugs, no discoloration. Nice and green, and blooming to boot.
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Millet
Moderator
Hero Member
Posts: 4814
Colorado
Re: Hardening a citrus tree Cold frame for -5F cold front
«
Reply #14 on:
February 14, 2021, 02:10:31 PM »
Poncirusguy, you have shown a lot of ingenuity growing your tree in Ohio. Great looking tree. Good work.
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jimmy_va
Member
Posts: 30
usa,va,springfield,7
Re: Hardening a citrus tree Cold frame for -5F cold front
«
Reply #15 on:
February 18, 2021, 02:17:18 PM »
Great job Poncirusguy!
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Hardening a citrus tree Cold frame for -5F cold front
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