Hello all, I have 5 citrus trees that all stand about 4 to 5 feet tall with about 1 to 1.5 inch trunks. I bought them this past spring in 2.5 gallon pots. I have 2 that are flowering and growing fruit right now. The Kumquat is full of nickle to quarter size fruit and I have a Key lime that has one almost ripe and some smaller limes beginning to fill in. Both trees are continuing to flower. The nights around here are getting to the high 40s and low 50s. Any suggestions as to what I should do to protect the trees and fruit from the cold till they're bigger. I have them all in 20 gallon pots for easy moving indoors, but would love some suggestions. thanks.
The kumquat is probably safe for planting inground in your area, but the key lime is one of the most cold sensitive of citrus--you need to protect it whenever the low temp is predicted to go below 40 F. You can just bring it inside for a few days. When you bring it in, if it is in a place that gets direct sun, make sure the roots are above 65 F (look up WLD). Your Key Lime tree does need to be exposed to about 800 hrs of temps below 65 to flower.
Can't ever trust the nurseries that sell these things. The tag on it said that it was hardy down to about 25 degrees. We never get weather that cold here. Oh well, I'll probably put them all in the garage this winter and be mindful of the root temps on them and see if I can't plant them next year.
Don't say "never". The Jacksonville neighborhood of Mandarin used to have lots of mandarin oranges (Satsumas). The 1989 freeze and ice storm brought temperatures somewhere into the teens. Here in Vero Beach, near my place, it was 23.
If you put it in the garage out of the sun, you do not have to worry about temps-- I am assuming it will not go below freezing in your garage. It will do fine there as long as it is cool and dark--if it is warm (over 65), it needs light. However, if you expose it to direct sun while the roots are cold, it can cause significant leaf loss.
That's what garages are for--to shelter tender plants in winter. Winter TV4 weather forecasts in Jax tended to provide garage warnings.
Dave, I hear you. I shouldn't have used "never". My dad always said, "never us the word never, son." Thanks all, I think I'll garage them for the winter and see what happens. Although, it is still small enough to go in the tv room in the back of the house. good temp, southern exposure, plenty of sun.
The room with southern exposure would be good for growth (as long as the root temp is above 65), but if you do not expose it to some cool temps (about 800-850 hrs below 65), you may not get good flower production. I keep my key lime outside under a shade cloth for the winter and only put them inside when temps are below mid 30s. The shade cloth also keeps frost off when temps are in the mid to upper 30s.
I agree with Dave... even here garages provide excellent place of refuge for tender plants...We have had a few ground frosts but nothing below freezing. My in ground citrus has not been covered - yet. Seemingly unaffected by the frosts. This is the first year since I planted by Musa Basjoo that it is still foliated on Halloween. Usually it is covered and wrapped by now. perhaps this is a sign of a mild winter? (at least here in the Vancouver area ) Greg
