Hi Toni,
First of all you have a poncirus Trifoliate & not a flying dragon--2 diff. citrus. 2nd, It's deciduous so I don't know how it could NOT lose any leaves last winter(???). I was surprised when you said your's survived last winter so because of that, I am planting 2 poncirus T. out in garden this winter (last 3 winters they were in bsment).
No, don't water during winter--do it now. They will be dormant just like all our trees here. If anything, shovel snow on it when we get it. Treat it like any deciduous tree tree here in midwest. Just let it sleep.
Patty

'Flying Dragon' is indeed a variety of Poncirus trifoliata.
There are several tree or shrub species that have a twisted or corkscrew form, probably due to a mutation in a single gene.
But Patty is right that Poncirus is deciduous. At least it is in climates that have periods below around 40F.

I shouldn't have said "2 different citrus". The leaves do look identical (to me), but Fl. Dragon is more hardy & it has those cool twisted branches w/ curved thorns.

Patty - The difference between the two is "monstrosa." So, when Toni says "I have a Poncirus (Flying Dragon)," she would be correct. By nature, the trifoliate leaves of the Poncirus are deciduous. However, this is not always the case, even during periods below 40F. I have about six P. trifoliate trees that never seem to lose leaves, whereas trees planted in the same field always lose leaves. And, I'd be interested to see some of your documentation of the cold-hardiness differences between P. trifoliate and P. trifoliate 'monstrosa'. Thanks and take care.

Anyway----It is very simple. If the soil that the Poncirus Trifoliata (FD or not FD)is growing in is dry then water. If the soil that the Poncirus Trifoliata (FD or not FD) is growing in is moist or damp than don't water. - Millet

Patty, when I bought my Poncirus, at www.worldplants.com it was also marked, Poncirus/Flying Dragon..You can check it out at worldplants
It now has tiny thorns, but then again, it's a small tree. I'm sure as time goes by the thorns will grow.
I don't know why, but as far as I'm concerned, this plant isn't deciduous, but evergreen. It may not have lose leaves because our winters have been mild, (and this is fact, because so many annuals I planted last year reseeded themselves and grew outside in spring/summer)Something that has never happened in the past.
Last year we had little snow, but as I stated, they're saying the IL area will be icy cold w/ little snow..this is what concerns me.
Are you planning on planting your Poncirus now? I'd wait until next spring. It's too late in the season to plant..I'm not trying to tell you what to do, Patty, but don't want you to lose your trees. I'd plant as soon as weather permits, so trees will adapt to their new environment. But it's up to you, of course..

Citrange, again, I don't understand it, but last winter the tree didn't lose one leaf. I mulched heavily, the only protection against our cold winters..
Now that I know how to take pics, this winter, say in Dec, I'll go out and snap photos...Say, Dec/Jan

Millet, I'm worried about lack of snow the weather-people are predicting..and watering when the ground freezes. I really would like to keep this citrus growing...Toni

Toni - I have a field of P. trifoliate and I haven't hand watered in more than three years. I am in Northeast Texas in an area that hasn't received a drop of rain in more than a month and a foot less than average during the course of 2005. In other words, this will be known as a drought period before it is all over. All of this in mind, I recently let someone harvest about 30-40 fruit (for seed). When I look out across that field, I see hundreds of orange-colored fruit dangling on trees. That should tell you all you need to know.

AAE, you have a field of these trees? Have you ever tasted the fruit? I know they're bitter and seedy, but still, in this part of the world it'd be a real treat..My own, Citrus tree in IL..LOL>.Thanks..guess that tells me what I need to know..I will not water the plant, nor will I fertilize..I'll mulch like last year, and hope for the best..Thank you, Toni

Toni - Trust me, it would be no treat eating a trifoliate "orange". They don't really have juice cells, like your average *Citrus* varieties. I remember Oregon Exotics' catalogue, long before Chief Jerry Black closed the business. . . It said you could make a tasty marmalade out of Trifoliate fruit. I think Edible Landscaping's catalogue used to say the same thing. But, they obviously never tried this before they carelessly sent their catalogues to the printer.

AAE, to be honest, growing this citrus is an experiment, and as a citrus lover, a delight. I really don't care about the taste of fruit..LOL..But it'd be cool growing a citrus tree in IL..
I also have 2 bananas, one from last yr. Neither are edible, they're more for show..one problem, the one I planted last year isn't getting enough sun, so it only grew about 3' this summer..The second Musa is planted in my garden but will receive a lot more light than the first.
I've also 2 palm trees, another experiment, growing in front and back. Needle and Windmill Palms. I have to somehow shelter these palms..Any ideas? One is small the second medium size. Small and medium, not in comparison with fully matured trees growing in Fl..LOL..Toni

AAE, I don't remember the source of reading that Flying Dragon is hardier than poncirus T. I read same when someone wrote about using them for rootstock also --F. dragon (they said) was hardier. One of my ponc. Tri. I've had for 3 yrs & kept it in bsment over winter at about 50 f. It lost it's leaves! They turned yellow & fell off just like all deciduous trees here. Go figure!
Is there a difference in the fruits of these 2??
Toni, I planted the rootstock (ponc. Tri.) that's left over from the dead grafts from Jene's. The grafted branch died but the rootstock is growing like crazy. It's been outside all this time so I really don't think it will suffer by planting now - I've done similar before & all was well.
Toni, your palms are very hardy, but when temps get below freezing, just wrap them...old towels & blankets. Some people use xmas lites. If the frawns freeze it won't kill the plant. Just keep the very center (trunk where new frawns come out) from freezing. Hope everything survives this winter--whatever it may bring LOL.
Patty

Patty, if you ever visit the palm forum, which is where I got the idea of planting palms in the first place, you'll see pics of palms growing outdoors as far north as Canada..The fronds did brown in one guy's yard, (he lives in Chicago) but I think the reason is sun was way to strong for this particular type. Also, it had been covered all winter, so it's similar to setting a low light plant from your house and setting in full sun. Otherwise, the trunk is huge, and new leaves grew in. But, I'll give it a try. Toni

Hi Toni,
If your talking British Columbia Canada, they have warmer climate than we do...On the west coast north of Washington state?
Ahh yes, spelled FRONDS. Had to think of the word & then forgot the spelling! I was on a palm forum 3 yrs ago & learned a lot. Saw pics of snow covered palms that survived but it also warmed up the next day. The guy in Chicago with a palm-- good for him! He wrapped it good, but it got too much lite when he unwrapped it. Let me know how your palms make it thru winter. My biggest is a Canary Island date palm - 35-40 gal pot--taller than me. Last fall when working on s. room, it was outside & we got a sort-of ice storm. I wrapped the 'trunk' w/ old blankets but the fronds couldn't all fit in. the blanket had ice on it & the fronds eventually turned dk. brown.(the parts exposed). It's doing fine now..grew 4 new fronds this summer & now it'l go in S room when frost comes (it's on new deck now). Easy to move cuz it's on wheels LOL & only has 4 inches to go up to S room. The other big palm is trachycarpus fortunai- in a 30 gal pot also on wheels. Once a yr or so I root prune --looks like a big pile of spaghetti!!! Other palms are sago's (or cabbage palm) I grew from seed & pygmy date palms also from seed.
Getting back to watering in winter. You've heard that in fall to soak your evergreens well to prevent browning next yr? Same thing goes for just about anything in ground that goes dormant like your Ponc T. (Flying Dragon?). I'd soak it now & then just leave it. I don't understand why it doesn't shed it's leaves for winter!!
Patty

Actually, a few ppl who are growing palms live in Ontario..but if you look at the towns, they range all over..The pic you're talking about was taken in Tx, I believe, if it's the same photo.
I doubt my palms will make it..don't like sounding pessimistic, but the ppl on the palm forum started with 3+yr old palms..mine are still young, the oldest a year. But, we'll see, one never knows.
I don't know why my Poncirus is evergreen..You have to remember, it's warmer here than there, plus I'm south of Chicago..in winter it's 3- 8 degrees warmer here than the city. I don't know if that makes a difference or not. It's not as windy here as it is in Chicago, either.
Your palms sounds beautiful..so tall..I'd have to cut a hole in my ceiling..LOL..don't think dh would approve..that'd really be going overboard..lol..
I'm preparing kids' Halloween trick or treat bags tonight..Kids love stopping here,...lol..7-8 pieces of candy per bag..Toni

Toni - Your trifoliate is deciduous, by nature -- a big reason this variety is so cold hardy. It will, however, keep leaves during warmer weather. I would suspect that your tree will lose leaves, if you keep it outdoors and your area experiences an average winter. By the way, is this the same tree that was supposed to be dead by now, according to the 'experts'? I seem to remember some discussion about this last year, about this time. If so, congratulations on overcoming the odds!

Toni...I also have (2)Palms in ground here in Wa. state.And we do get down in the teens & single digits weather wise.The only thing I fear is ice storms.I have a Mexican Fan Palm & Windmill Palm that are 5'to 6'tall.When theres a threat of a ice storm I wrapp my Palms in burlap sacks from the trunk up.And use twine to tie them,then slip large lawn bags over the tops and down the trunks and tie again with twine. This I've been doing now for 5 years and they are HaPpY & healthy.Works real well for me:)***Suzanne

AAE, well, deciduous or not, this winter I'll check the leaves again..if need be, I'll take pictures.
Since we're supposed to have a colder winter than we've had the last 5 yrs, and with el Nino, perhaps the leaves will drop this yr.
Yes sir, the Poncirus is the Same tree I was told would die. I will not say, 'I told u so,' because I'm not the type to say such a thing, and since they're predicting colder temps this year, a lot can happen. But yep, it's the one and only..bought in the summer of '04, and planted in June/July.

Suzanne, where does one buy burlap? Especially, one that will fit your huge palms..?? You're doing something right to keep your palms alive..
When temps drop, how long does it last? Is it a one night thing or can it go on for days? I'd like seeing pics of your palms..Please send..Toni

Toni...I get burlap sacks from the feed store here in town. Alott of the time they have just the sacks(NO FEED)in them for sale. And thats when I go and buy several.I also saved many burlap sacks from buying horse feed & chicken feed,goose feed.Yes they do come in handy.I cut the sacks down the middle, and wrapp and tie.To answer your question on how long our hard freezes last here, sometimes weeks.Some of the ice storms will leave ice here for weeks.Same thing when we get alott of snow some years. I will send Palm pic's...they are dh babies. He babies them, same with the Banana plants those he claims are his also LOL!!!***Suzanne

Suzanne, I guess living in your part of the globe and mine are 'a horse of a different color.' LOL
There aren't any feed stores, at least not this far north..perhaps if I drove south, I might find one..Until then, I'm clueless as to how I'm going to cover the 2 palms..the soil around citrus and bananas will just be blanketed with mulch. I don't have any nearby outlets so heating is out. If I used a long cord, it'd cross the walk which is very dangerous..all it'd take is one sue-happy person to trip.
Thanks for the pics, your palms are truly amazing..Toni

We have feed stores just outside MKE...Lots of farms here. You don't need burlap..just use old blankets, old towels, old SHOES--anything to wrap them, & then plastic over. Just keep 'em warm! LOL
Suzanne, thanks for the pics of your brugs. Great flowers!
You are doing something right!
Patty

The tree he had was not Poncirus Trifoliata. I guess he was planting a trifoliate citrange. Pincirus Trifoliata will start losing leaves at temperature below 50F to a predormant state in Autum, while citrange a hybrid of Poncirus and Citrus might have trifoliate leaves but will never go dormant like its mother Poncirus.

Do NOT water in the Winter! Unless perhaps if you're in Arizona in the desert and the ground is extremely dry. (This only applies to in ground citrus)

There are a couple of reasons why. First of all, citrus is not growing during the Winter, it doesn't have any big water requirements (unless perhaps if you live in California zone 10 or 9b). The second reason is that, for hardier citrus such as trifoliata, you want your citrus to stay in dormancy. One of the things that helps trigger dormancy is lack of water. You don't want to encourage the plant to come out of dormancy where it may be vulnerable to cold damage. The last thing is root rot. Many plants (including citrus) do not especially like the combination of cold and wet roots. That can encourage root rots. Citrus originated from a climate where the Winters are much drier than the Summers. So even though they like lots of water during the Summer, they don't need so much of it during Winter, when growth has slowed down or stopped.

Plants in containers may be a bit different since the soil in containers can dry out very quickly, but I still would try to make sure it isn't overwatered, and keep it a bit on the drier side.