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cearbhaill

New trees and a cold spell

I have trees arriving from Four Winds today and of course a cold spell with lows of 35F and highs in the mid 50's next week.

After potting them up (correct well draining mix- I have read every post in this forum, ever!) I can either leave them outdoors fully shaded (but bright) under my patio roof, put them in a garage by a south facing window, or set them in the periphery of HPS and MH lights in my orchid room.

I'm just wondering which would be best.

I know this first week or two they will need reduced lighting anyway as they establish in the pots, but the low temps outdoors concern me.

My feeling is to set them in the garage and open the doors if it warms up enough to let them get some good air, and if it really warms up take them outside for a bit of bright, indirect light.

Just wondering what your choice would be.

I have a Meyer coming and a Dancy tangerine- both are 2-3 year trees.

I know the Dancy isn't popular around here but I had one in my back yard for 30 years when I lived in SoFla, and some of my best gardening experiences involved grabbing a tangerine off that tree after a hard days work and sitting on the ground and eating it. I want to experience that one more time, although I am mainly in this for the fragrance.

I'm excited to begin this new chapter of my citrus experience!

Comments (5)

  • 14 years ago

    I don't have lots of experience, but since they're not established in their pots, and not acclimated to cold, I wouldn't expose them to temps even in the 40's at this point. Recently received 2 trees from the same source myself, they're inside but one is ready to go out into the shade on warm days, still would bring in at night.

    I vote for indoors for now, unless you have an attached garage warmed by the house, or can provide a source of warmth? You want the roots happy and growing, setting up shop in their new container with minimal stress...

    Let the more experienced people guide you, I'm still learning (and anxious to hear what they'd suggest!)

  • 14 years ago

    Plants arrived in stunning condition.
    My friends and family wonder why I order things from so far away and pay such a premium, but anyone who had been here when I opened that box would understand in a heartbeat.

    Here they are soaking immediately after arrival at 5pm- I used aged tepid water with a couple of drops of Superthrive. They had been in the box since the evening of the 17th, this past Tuesday.

    {{gwi:578441}}

    Here is the Meyer-

    {{gwi:578443}}

    {{gwi:578445}}

    And my beloved Dancy Tangerine-

    {{gwi:578447}}

    Yes, that's a mighty big pot- the roots on that thing were enormous. I'm thinking maybe it isn't the most popular variety because of the seeds and perhaps my tree is more of a 3-4 year old than a 2-3 year old. I know not to overpot but there was no way those roots were fitting in a smaller pot.

    And a little bloom-

    {{gwi:578448}}

    I moved away from South Florida five years ago TODAY (talk about a coincidence!) and to smell this fragrance again is heavenly.
    I am delighted with the trees- they are very well grown vigorous trees with way more branching than I anticipated- two thumbs up on quality. There was not the first leaf damaged or dropped- we'll see how long that lasts, LOL.
    But I have a good feeling about them.

    Fun day!

  • 14 years ago

    they look great.

  • 14 years ago

    Yes, those plants are just beautiful! As long as your potting mix is truly fast draining, you really don't have to worry too much about over potting. Those that use a peatier, fine-textured potting medium need to be more cautious.

  • 14 years ago

    Thank you- I am in love with them!
    They've been spending nights in the garage and days outside in bright shade and seem to be very happy so far.

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