At a local nursery here I noticed many of the citrus trees were on Kinkoji rootstock. I am unable to find out any information about this rootstock online. Can anyone please provide me with some. I am concerned about the cold hardiness of this rootstock. Do you know how it compares with Large Flower Trifoliate and Swingle. Also if you have more information about those 2 I would appreciate it. Thanks,
Kinkoji appears to be Citrus obovoidea, Bloomsweet Grapefruit. Here is a bit of information on it. Supposedly hardy to 14F; other sources say 15F.
In case you're interested, here is another (.pdf) document which lists some of its other qualities as rootstock.
Here is my choice, please let me know what you think... I can get a Meyer Lemon Tree (5 gallon pot) about 4 feet tall on a Kinkoji rootstock for $48 or I can get one at another nursery with a Trifoliate rootstock a little bit smaller for $68. This plant will eventually be grown outside. I am in zone 8b but it can get down below 15F degrees sometimes. I know I will need to protect during those times. What would you suggest is the better deal here? Would I get a more cold hardy plant with the Trifoliate or will it not matter because the Meyer isn't cold hardy below 20F degrees. Thanks,
I won't even try to answer your question as it is beyond my expertise. There are experts here who may be able to offer you advice. I'll defer to them.
Kinkoji: Salinity soils ? Only fair in high pH soils. Good in clay soils Good in wet soils Susceptible to Burrowing nematodes Susceptible to citrus nematodes Tolerant to Phytophthora Foot & Root Rot Tolerant to Xyloporosis viroid Tolerant to Exocortis viroid Tolerant to Tristeza virus Produces an intermediate size tree Produces an intermediate fruit crop Produces intermediate size fruit Fruit produced by Kinkoji generally has high juice content. Swingle: Poor in high salinity soils Poor in High pH soils Poor in clay soils Good in wet soil Poor to intermediate against drought Good against freezes Susceptible to Burrowing Nematodes Tolerant against Citrus Nematodes Tolerant to Phytophthora Foot & Root Rot Tolerant to Exocortis & Xyloporosis Viroids Tolerant to Tristeza virus and citrus blight Produces an intermediate size tree Produces an intermediate fruit crop Produces intermediate size fruit, with intermediate juice Promotes vigorous growth Trifoliate Orange: Poor in high salinity soil Poor in high pH soil Good in clay soils Good in wet soils Poor against drought Good against freezes Susceptible to burrowing nematodes Tolerant+ to citrus nematodes Tolerant+ Phytophthora foot & root rot Tolerant to Xyloporosis and Exocortis viroids Tolerant+ to Tristeza virus Susceptible to citrus blight Produces a small size tree Produces a large size crop with high juice content Produces a smaller size fruit Most cold hardy citrus variety when properly hardened off. NOTE: Hardy temperatures give by JK apply only for a 1-3 hour duration. Millet
As to which root stock to purchase for your Meyer Lemon, it all depends on the soil type, and climate, your tree will be growing in. Look at the attributes for the three rootstock varieties listed above and choose the rootstock that best matches your location. If several match you soil, I would choose trifoliate orange for a tree growing in zone 8b. - Millet
Thanks Millet, your information was a great help. Its seems like Swingle or Trifoliate would be better in my soils. I also found this information on my nursery's webpage "The Trifoliate Orange is used in the colder regions, as it is the only deciduous rootstock. This keeps the tree in deep dormancy in the winter, thereby preventing tender growth during winter warm spells. We currently use three Trifoliate rootstocks: Flying Dragon, a dwarfing rootstock, Large Flower Trifoliate, a semi-dwarfing rootstook, and Swingle, which is vigorous." I now think it would be worth the extra money to get the Trifoliate or Swingle rootstock vs the cheaper Kinkoji Rootstock. Thank you for your help.
