The Tropical Fruit Forum

Citrus => Cold Hardy Citrus => Topic started by: Citradia on September 26, 2020, 06:58:46 AM

Title: Too cold for newly grafted citrus outside?
Post by: Citradia on September 26, 2020, 06:58:46 AM
I have some Newley grafted citranges on trifoliata, potted outside on porch. Some have not pushed new growth yet but scions still alive. It’s lows in 40’s and 50’s F here now with highs in 60’’s to 70 degrees. Supposed to be highs in 50’s and lows in upper 30’s next week. Since citrus stops growing in 50’s should I bring these trees inside now and hope they will keep growing? I planned to bring them in over winter anyway but I usually don’t get my first freeze until Halloween. I don’t want to loose viability of scion if the trifoliata rootstock goes dormant. Please advise.
Title: Re: Too cold for newly grafted citrus outside?
Post by: kumin on September 26, 2020, 09:50:40 AM
If you provide greenhouse conditions over Winter it should not make much difference if the buds are forced now, or later. One requisite, however is adequate light to accompany any growth induced by warm temperatures. If the plants will be held in cold, dormant conditions over Winter, I would have discontinued any attempts at forcing the buds at the end of August. I find healed buds that aren't forced tolerate whatever temperatures the scion donor can withstand.
I strive to avoid late season newly emerged growth from being exposed to severe cold. If the citranges are fully hardy in your area, they should be able to tolerate the cold as dormant buds, but not as fresh growth.
I overwintered several dozen citrange bud grafts on Poncirus the past Winter without problems. The only catch was keeping the rootstock suckers removed in the Spring.
Title: Re: Too cold for newly grafted citrus outside?
Post by: Citradia on September 26, 2020, 10:55:29 PM
Thanks for the response ,Kumin. I don’t have a green house per se but will end up bringing the newly grafted trees inside the house and place near window with my other non-hardy potted citrus. So they won’t see freezing temps this winter at all. I was just wondering if since growth isn’t evident yet if that means the scions won’t fully take and ultimately die. I guess not since yours went through winter dormant and then flushed out in spring.