not a good idea. Transplant shock multiply times per year will do it in very quickly. Now if you would like to have the illusion of an inground citrus you can repot into a cheap but sturdy container and sink the pot and all into the ground. at the end of the summer you can pull it up and move into a protected area. I do this with plumeria.

Other option is to put in the ground then build a structure around it to protect it in winter.

Mike

As you've probably read, the issue many people here have with commercial potting mixes is that they hold too much water in the 'perched water table'. This coupled with peoples' general tendency to overwater results in root rot.

However, by burying your entire pot in the ground, the earth would act as a natural wick allowing that water to drain fully and you would not get the PWT problem. Additionally, the temperature of your pot in the ground (especially if black in color) would be better moderated during summer's heat, I would think. Therefore, I say bury it - it should be fine like this for the 1 year in question.

However, it is imperative that you still make sure the tree gets sufficient water - depending on where you are, I would think at least deep watering once per week or more.

Finally, when it comes time for you to repot in a soil-less mix, if you find it difficult to source gritty mix ingredients, you may want to consider Al's 5-1-1 mix instead (I have a Meyer in this mix and it works perfectly). This mix is lighter and ingredients generally much easier to come by.

Tim

i like to use a lot of perlite in my mix. i use about 30% perlite and 70% miracle gro garden soil.

Thanks for the responses, I was worried about the transplant shock but I wasn't sure how much of an issue it is.

Also thank you for the thoughts on the alternates mixes, I will look it up. I may try burying the pot in the ground. I hadn't thought of the pot heating up but now I see that could be a problem.

I know most people overwater, but I tend to grossly UNDER water my houseplants, I typically don't think to water them until they are visibly wilted. Which is not something to be proud of I know, but I think that is why I typically do best with those types of plants that do not care for wet soil.