The Tropical Fruit Forum

Are you planning on planting the tree outside?

I'm located in central Alabama. I believe it's too cold in the winter here to plant it outdoors. The tree was an impulse purchase at Petals From The Past. It definitely was a weak looking tree and was the last one they had.
I have a couple of Arctic Frost planted in the yard. I cover then and add heat if the temp is going much below 25 Degrees. I may be to protective of them. They are 5 or so feet tall and at least 6 feet wide. While we are talking about the Arctic Frost- the trees have definitely under performed my expectations. The fruit size and numbers are better this year, but nothing to brag about. They really only get full sun from noon until around 6 PM- this may be a factor.

How muck longer do I need to wait to pick the Xie Shan?

I believe the bad opinions of Arctic Frost may be based on younger trees. I know the first 4 or so years fruit from my trees was not good. This year I have been really pleased, other than the fruit is small sized. I really believe to a large extent, this is my fault due to lack of fertilizer.

I wonder what benefit there would be to having Arctic Frost on a rootstock?

My trees are not grafted. I wonder if a grafted tree might have been a better choice. When I bought my trees, I didn't see any grafted trees available.

I'm continuing to harvest the fruit. I'm really happy with the taste.
I'm looking forward to a good crop next season. I will definitely make sure the trees are protected if the cold gets extreme.

If Arctic Frost holds true to its cold-hardy name, it's going to be a winner.

Greetings.
As I have mentioned before, I have two Arctic Frost trees that are around five years old. They have up until this point been a disappointment. The first orange was terrible, with a flavor that would cut your throat. Last summer I decided to make a last-ditch effort with them and planted them in the ground. They survived the cold snap of 17 Degrees last winter. I built a makeshift shelter consisting of ladders and tarps with a space heater for four nights/days.
This summer they have held their own, but nothing to brag about. At this point, I believe that my care of the trees is substantially responsible for their mediocre performance. I failed to appreciate the high nitrogen requirements of a tree planted in the ground. I'm convinced that had I fertilized correctly, they would have had a good year.

Currently, one tree has quite a bit of fruit, and the other just a few.
Please see the attached photo's:
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I find it somewhat odd that one tree has ripening fruit and the other tree has green fruit.
Maybe this is a normal occurrence.
The ripening fruit is all rather small, not a lot bigger than a golf ball. I have picked a couple of them. I am impressed with the flavor, the burning flavor in my throat is now absent. I have honestly bought "Cuties" from the store that tasted worse.

I'm blaming the small fruit size on the lack of fertilizer.

The tree with the fruit that is still green, I don't know about. Maybe it just didn't have any new growth to set fruit on. The fruit is bigger on this tree.

Based on tree size, can anyone recommend the proper amount of Osmocote Plus for next spring's application?

Thank you. I went ahead a picked it.
The peel was a little thicker than I expected and the scent made me think that the flavor of the fruit would not be the best. The white part around the fruit segments was hard to remove from the fruit. The fruit taste was better than I expected, not excellent, but acceptable.

I have went ahead and planted one of my trees in the yard. The second one will be planted in the next week or so. They may very well be killed from the cold, but they have managed to survive for 4-5 years unprotected in pots on the deck. 

I don't know what exactly what is wrong, but this will most likely cure it:
BAYER ADVANCED Fruit, Citrus and Vegetable 32-fl oz Concentrate Garden Insect Killer

https://www.lowes.com/pd/BAYER-ADVANCED-Fruit-Citrus-and-Vegetable-32-fl-oz-Concentrate-Garden-Insect-Killer/3170999

I have read that rodents such as moles will attack and destroy the roots.

My trees are beginning to look a lot better.
At Millets recommendation, I have started using the Jacks professional 25-5-15 fertilizer.
I apply it in every watering. The soil is very well draining and I water daily, unless it's raining.
I use 1 teaspoon of Jacks per gallon of water.

Millet. Thanks for the information. I had already ordered an 18# bag of the Citrus Tone.
It came in today, I made an application with it.
I have also ordered a 25# bag of Jacks professional 25-5-15
Hopefully, it will arrive next week.

Millet, I have a bag of Jacks Prof 77010 General Purpose Fertilizer, 20-20-20 Fertilizer.
Is this ok to use? or does it need to be the ratio you described?

Thanks

My 5-year-old trees are still a disappointment. I have posted in the forum asking for help in sorting out the problems.
Has anyone been successful in growing Arctic Frost in a container on the patio?
 
Thanks
Greg