Citrus Varieties

[Hermitian]

My new Nordmann Seedless Kumquat arrived today from Four Winds Growers. I'll give it a few days of rest in the indoor propagation area then plant it outside.

[Tracydr]

Very nice! I've been researching the cold hardy citrus for when we move. We have sour oranges and many friends have other citrus so we are spoiled on fresh citrus. Currently, it's grapefruit season. Juicing lots of grapefruits and eating the whole ones, too.
We love a good greyhound or salty dog!
Looks like I can grow kumquats and tangerines in zone 8b, when we move.

[Hermitian]

Originally Posted by Tracydr

... Looks like I can grow kumquats and tangerines in zone 8b, when we move.

Zone 8b is just not an all-season outdoor climate for most citrus. Here's a handy table of information on cold hardiness and viability for indoor growing:

Citrus Variety Info Chart

[Sun City Linda]

I planted a bunch of Tangelo seeds for fun a while ago and they all came up! How exciting is that. Of course I have no idea what I would do with a dozen of them, I was just thinking it would be a fun houseplant.

[Tracydr]

I will probably grow them pots so that I can put them indoors. Will hopefully have a greenhouse,too.

[DonnaMarieNJ]

I just received a tiny Dwarf Key Lime plant. I'm hoping to keep it alive indoors for many years. Of course, it will be outside in the summer - it's the winters that take a toll on the citrus when indoors. This will be my first key lime plant!

[Hermitian]

Originally Posted by Tracydr

I will probably grow them lots so that I can put them indoors. Will hopefully have a greenhouse,too.

Keep in mind that soil temperature needs to be in appropriate range for the air temperature. For example, if they are in a 15- to 25-gallon pot in the greenhouse, you'll want to have at least 2 inches of rubber (or similar) insulation so that the ground/floor temperature of the greenhouse does not adversely chill the roots.

[Stvrob]

So...A seedless kumquat! So can you just bite right thru it and snack on them whole? Maybe next winter, if for some reason you are pruning it, I could trade you something for a few buds? I'm getting bored of my fully seeded kumquat.

[Stvrob]

Tracydr.. Satsumas are cold tolerant down to 15 F or so. and hardly any seeds!

[Hermitian]

Originally Posted by Stvrob

Tracydr.. Satsumas are cold tolerant down to 15 F or so. and hardly any seeds!

Actually they are hardy to about 28, the Gold Nugget Mandarin is totally seedless and hardy to 26.

Originally Posted by Stvrob

So...A seedless kumquat! So can you just bite right thru it and snack on them whole? Maybe next winter, if for some reason you are pruning it, I could trade you something for a few buds? I'm getting bored of my fully seeded kumquat.

You can get them inexpensively from Four Winds Growers, and neither of us will have to worry about quarantine issues. They are very serious about it in San Diego county and I can't afford to lose my agricultural licenses.

[Stvrob]

Satsumas are tolerant well below 28, mine have survived many periods in the high teens.

[Hermitian]

Originally Posted by Stvrob

Satsumas are tolerant well below 28, mine have survived many periods in the high teens.

I prefer my plants with leaves and fruit intact, and fruit quality undamaged.

[Tracydr]

Originally Posted by Stvrob

Tracydr.. Satsumas are cold tolerant down to 15 F or so. and hardly any seeds!

Sounds great. Any tangerine varieties that are cold hardy? We love the little mandarin oranges.

[Hermitian]

Originally Posted by Tracydr

Sounds great. Any tangerine varieties that are cold hardy? We love the little mandarin oranges.

Mandarin and Tangerine refer to the same fruit. Mandarin is the Chinese name, Tangerine is the name that Europeans gave to them because they were imported through the port of Tangers.

Gold Nugget Mandarin (Tangerine) is truly seedless, a bit more cold hardy than Satsuma, and in my opinion better tasting.

[Tracydr]

Originally Posted by Hermitian

Mandarin and Tangerine refer to the same fruit. Mandarin is the Chinese name, Tangerine is the name that Europeans gave to them because they were imported through the port of Tangers.

Gold Nugget Mandarin (Tangerine) is truly seedless, a bit more cold hardy than Satsuma, and in my opinion better tasting.

Good to know. What about grapefruits? I see sour oranges and blood oranges are pretty cold tolerant. I love my sour orange. I use it as a lemon substitute and also make marmelade.