Author Topic: Citrus & Temperatures  (Read 3095 times)

Millet

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Citrus & Temperatures
« on: July 09, 2014, 09:47:49 PM »
Most people know that orange trees (Citrus sinensis) start to grow at 55 degrees F. (13C) but few people know that  kumquats need a minimum temperature of 80 degrees F. (27C) in order to develop fruit. - Millet
« Last Edit: July 09, 2014, 09:51:50 PM by Millet »

brian

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Re: Citrus & Temperatures
« Reply #1 on: July 09, 2014, 10:18:18 PM »
80F for flower buds to form or for green fruit to ripen?

If the former it explains why mine didn't bloom until nearly July.

Axier

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Re: Citrus & Temperatures
« Reply #2 on: July 10, 2014, 04:19:11 AM »
Thank you Millet for the precise information.
I knew that kumquat need high temperatures, but I didn't know how many degrees.
I got fed up of kumquats, I removed all of my kumquats and I grafted them with other citrus.
They never flowered or sometimes a few scattered flowers which never made into fruit.
My climate is oceanic, mild winters with nearly no frosts and mild summers, we grow decent lemons, oranges and mandarins, but not kumquats due to mild temperatures in summer.
I disagree when people recommends kumquat like an easy citrus. It is easy for growing, but not for fruiting, at least in mild summers climates.
« Last Edit: July 10, 2014, 04:22:07 AM by Axier »

Millet

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Re: Citrus & Temperatures
« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2014, 09:55:03 AM »
Brian, Kumquats require 80F to form flower buds. - Millet

Scott_6B

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Re: Citrus & Temperatures
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2014, 02:52:05 PM »
Very interesting information!  My quats are just starting to produce flower buds with the current growth flush.  So far this season we have only had 13 days with highs above 80F (scattered across June and July) and only one of those was greater than 85F.  I wonder what is the minimum duration of 80+ deg weather that is required for flower bud growth?  I know only a few days of temperatures in the 70's is necessary for citrus to break out of winter dormancy...

brian

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Re: Citrus & Temperatures
« Reply #5 on: July 10, 2014, 05:11:06 PM »
Brian, Kumquats require 80F to form flower buds. - Millet

Thanks.

Millet

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Re: Citrus & Temperatures
« Reply #6 on: July 10, 2014, 08:42:39 PM »
Guidelines, though not hard and fast rules, to the minimum temperatures that varieties of citrus trees can survive with out  damage to leaves and branches are:
Limes 29F(-1.6C)
Lemons & Grapefruit 26F, (-3C)
Meyer Lemon 22F, (-5.5C)
Oranges & Mandarins 21F (-6C)
Kumquats 19F (-7C)
Millet
« Last Edit: July 10, 2014, 09:15:46 PM by Millet »

sugar land dave

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Re: Citrus & Temperatures
« Reply #7 on: July 11, 2014, 01:40:40 AM »
My meiwa is loaded with fruit and over the last few days has started more blooming.