Mike, you crack me up with your fig massacre! I left an olive outside to freeze myself. It was covered in scale and I did not notice till recently. Then after treatments for scale, it defoliated...no way am I risking infecting my crowded trees for that! I’m sure it’s in olive heaven by now. :-(

Lol Laura :) funny . I've already been read the Riot Act about bringing them in the house .

Brian

Brian I already make plans how to get them all in next year as I see a lot of new growth. House is big enough but the problem are my cats. Brought my big jasmin in the basement and my cats used it as a scratch tree. Damage not too big and tree is safe now. It will be a challenge to keep the cats (8) away from my trees.

Laura I was hoping to hear from you if it is possible to get olives from a tree in container. Very sorry for your loss.

Wow Brian. Your trees are just amazing!

Cory

Susanne 8 cats oh my you must have your hands full that's for sure. Maybe get a few scratch posts and rub them with catnip . We used to grow catnip for our cat , as you probably already know they go crazy for it.

Laura sorry about your Olive tree , scale is the worst it leaves a real mess . This year I've decided and severely scaled branches will be cut away I just don't have the patience to wash them all the time anymore.

Brian

Thankyou Cory the backyard looks so blah now and cold . I see that it's cold in Jersey to . I heard maybe a big East coast snowstorm before Thanksgiving , the fun is just starting .

Brian

Amazing comparison, Laura! I love all of the lush, green growth! So beautiful! You have done such a great job with your trees.. Sad and sorry about the olive tree news..

Brian, Wow! What a tropical piece of paradise you have. I am always amazed at the beautiful, huge trees that you grow. Great job. You and Laura both have green thumbs.. I never tire of looking at all the pictures. . :)

Thank you Jinny!

Brian - Thank you for posting your recap of paradise! :-D I like the positioning of the tree by the rudbeckia. I am growing some this year in a container and the positioning gave me some ideas (for my tiny patio).

Not ready for winter and sure as hell don't want any pre-Thanksgiving "storm" (possible "Miller B" for weather fans here). I brought a few tenders in for a couple days (a lantana, Salvia Black and Blue, Gartenmeister fuchsia, Miss Figgy fig, & a rosemary) so they didn't get hit with the 21F (-6C) that we got here early Saturday morning, but left the pineapple sage out knowing it would be toast (and it is....lol). I hope that's the end of the whiteflies out there too! Did just look out there and saw a dark-eyed junco on the patio pecking at my rudbeckia seed heads and then scratching through dropped leaves on the patio.

Thankyou Jinnylea and Jenny in PA which may I say is a very beautiful state . Amazing how fast the tree's will grow with a little love . Jinnylea at least are thumbs are more green then the green in our wallets lol. Jenny glad Miss Figgy Fig is safe and sound with all of the rest it got quit cold . Haven't seen any dark eyed junco but there are lots of Blue Jays this year . Thankyou again guy's

Brian

Brian - where do you live? Did someone say NJ? It looks like a tropical paradise and trees like like specimens you’d see in an ad. I still don’t believe my trees will ever be that big.

Susanne- when I lived in NZ we had two olive trees in containers on a balcony and harvested olives from them. I don’t know what type, though. I can’t wait to add a few olives to my collection. They’re supposed to do well in containers.

Laura and Brian, WOW! Simply mind blowing, your trees are beautiful.

Brian, magnificent!!! It made my day to see those beautiful trees in this wretched weather! Thanks buddy and hugs!

Laura, so funny! I actually let about 8 fig trees go and several Brugmansia..I have planted two in the ground that gave me the most beautiful sweet smelling flowers you could imagine, but when I tried to dig them up, forget it. I left them out to die. I am just too tired of all the extra effort for such little reward on my figs and too tired to lug in heavy rooted trees into my basement..Ugh I mean they grew HUGE! They were nice while they lasted

My detached, sunny, two-car, loft garage in N.J./zone7.

Jurasico now that's my idea of a man cave beautiful. Alanna Sunshine , Mikey thankyou . It sure is nice to come home to the backyard after a hard day at work. Alanna I live in Ottawa Canada our summer seasons are just a little shorter up here lol. Last pic promise , I love before and after pics if anyone else has any I would love see . This pic shows just how fast citrus grow . Pic of Kishu summer 2015

jurasico - what a great place to sit and admire the beautiful plants and hard work! Plus the bonus heater to take the chill off! :-D

Brian - hoping my Kishu gets to that point some day!

No way! I don’t believe it. How can a container tree grow that much in two years?? Is it grafted? You have a heated greenhouse that you keep them in over the winter? I have four trees about the size of that baby kishu. Right now, there in windows, but I’ve been debating about some sort of lights for the winter to try and hurry growth along.

Jurásico, NICE! I love your tropical cave! Brian, I am dumbfounded! That is amazing! You have the greenest thumb imaginable! I have a question Brian. I remember you saying that you often fertilize by just sprinkling some MG on the soil. Is that still the case? I did that this summer with Peters. I just sprinkled it like salt on the top of the mix before it rained or before watering. They did just fine and it was much much easier than hauling around the heavy watering can.

Also, at some point I’d love to hear about the Shasta gold. I was pretty set on a Yosemite gold, but now I’m not so sure. I keep adding more and more mandarin varieties to my list.

Alanna seriously lol I drove Mikey crazy during the summer of 2015 with kishu pic updates remember Mikey lol . Alanna I don't know if you can zoom in on the tag it says it was grafted in 2014 . I do have a greenhouse it helps in the growth department enormously. I forgot to mention the Kishu is in the red pot center . Thanks Alanna happy growing.

Brian

Laura - I started by sprinkling espoma citrus food on top, just along the rim of the planter every once in a while. Sadly, my dog would just eat it all, plus half the dirt.

Alanna you would love the Shasta Gold it has a very complex mandarin taste for sure very sweet . I believe the Yosemite Gold is almost identical in flavor. Here is a pic taken today of a Shasta Gold fruit almost ready and here I promised no more pics failed . The fruit are large

LOL, nulesm, regarding your man cave comment.

In full disclosure, there is a full refrigerator tucked away in the corner, and from April through October it is stocked with Coronas.

Kishu is one that I do not have. I see it is a mandarin, my mandarin is a 'samatsu'.

I guess my biggest surprise in the world of Citrus is having more successes with the limes and lemons over the oranges. This past season was not the greatest as there was a lot of cloudiness in Summer. Spring flowering is also usually better.

P.S., I think I need to add a hammock to the man cave.

Thanks Laura it really is pretty incredible. This tree was an experiment sort of , I planted it in that huge pot in 2016 believe me I thought I made a mistake but thank goodness it turned out alright. Laura I do sprinkle small amounts of MG on top of the mix almost every watering during the summer never have I ever over fertilized it's really worked out great . I'm glad that it's worked out for you and your right it's a lot easier than the mixing.

Brian

Jurasico I knew it lol now I want want just like yours construction on my new garage set for summer 2018 . Lemons and limes are much easier if you want Mandarin try Page very easy and the fruit's are delicious also Minneola Tangelo very easy also

Brian .

I have several limes (Persians and one Key), Lemons (Eurekas, Meyers, Lisbon.., my favorite lemon, and a Ponderosa), kumquats, Citron, and Bitter Oranges all from started from seed. My goal is get my Valencia, Blood and Navel oranges going next year (if it means transplanting, feeding..., whatever). Are lemons and limes really easier than oranges? Why might that be?

lemons and limes don't have to produce sugar.

Lemons and limes and anything acidic I believe don't require as much heat for the ripening process were a Valencia or any sweet orange requires lot's of heat I have a Valencia and it does just fine in the greenhouse. If you want to go orange try a Navel or cara cara they don't require as much heat . I have a Moro and after 3 yrs it has finally fruited and they are almost ripe I will update you on how they taste.

Brian

Brian, thanks for answering my question about fertilizer. I will be very interested to hear about your Moro when it’s ripe. I have some sanguinelli that are almost ready and a couple of moros. I also have a Cara Cara almost ready to pick. I’ll let you guys know how they turn out. Jurásico, that would be a great woman cave if you swapped out the beer with chocolate and key lime pie ;-)

Jurasico that looks like vacation in the tropics during wintertime. :) Laura I agree, serving nice keylime pie there would make it perfect.

Brian such a beautifyl tree. Just two years? It must have ben grown year round without taking a brake? That is so awesome.

Brian, what the hell are you feeding yours!!??? I think it must be the view of you in your bathing suit hopping in that refreshing pool that makes them think of doing the same. They have to get tall enough to reach in while you are not looking..lol Or just the view...That's nuts!! By the way, I have tried that sprinkling process that you do and it worked on several of my trees. they did very well!

Jurasico, starting to look a little like Jurasic Park in there, where are the Dinosaurs? Ha. Those plants on that radio must love the music coming out of it..Your electric bill must be high though..I use a space heater like that and now have turned to lights that create heat to help..lol

Mikey buddy your to funny . Thanks Buddy I sure do love coming home and jumping in the pool . You should see the looks I get when I tell my guests no excessive splashing in the pool please because of the salt water . Take care

Laura your very very welcome !!!

Jenny your Kishu will get large for sure . My Kishu grows like a weed but flowers during the dead of winter then all the small fruit falls if it could only flower in the spring. .

Susanne it is incredible it's grafted onto a Volk maybe that's why it's has been growing so aggressively.

Brian

Brian did you had any fruits yet? All I read about volk so far was negative for everything but lemon. Seems nurseries use this rootstock because of the rapid growth.

My Kishu from FW is still puttering along very slowly. It is blooming now but the tree has hardly grown. I did get two fruit this summer which were pretty good, but I’d rather it just grow. If any of these flowers produce fruit, I’ll only let it keep one. Brian, I hear you...;-)

Brian Why not plant some mandarin seeds and graft your Kishu to it plant seeds now and graft in spring. NZL on US897. It is 1 year 7 month old

I see why everyone gets flabbergasted everytime Brian posts photos of his tree. That kishu looks like it should be at least 4-5 yrs old! What is this magical "MG" sprinkling process that has been doing fantastic for everyone's trees?

Steve lol I was thinking the exact same thing a couple of weeks ago. I do have a Kishu cutting I made last yr . Steve I have lot' of key lime seedlings would they make an okay rootstock ? Glad to see that you've become an old pro at grafting maybe you can share some tips with us all .

Laura I'm not as frustrated now knowing that I am not the only one having problems with their Kishu . I feel lucky this year Laura the Kishu definitely looks mature enough so hopefully it's fruit time next summer . Do you know the rootstock of your Kishu ?

Susanne I have not tried a Kishu from either my tree or a supermarket so frustrating . I've heard they are really good .

Kvetchlambkin your so kind thankyou. How is your Meyer doing and all those cuttings ? Your going to have a ton of lemons some day .

Brian

Brian & Laura - thanks for the additional info on your Kishus. The one I have from OGW has little stubby remains of blooms/fruit on nearly every branch, so I know it has potential. Just checked and OGW indicates they graft theirs on FD. I've had it not quite a month so I know it is still rooting in the 5:1:1. The rootball on it was generous and healthy (near-pot bound too), so just have to give it some TLC and time and hope for the best!

As a sidenote, my little red lime from Logee's is sprouting new growth all over. It is still at the "adorable" stage but I can see now how it will eventually morph into its natural unruly state in the future, lol

Hey guys, I will share this..

I had TWO Kishus and now I have ONE totalling three..I had one from Logee's that never grew and eventually died. My other was from Four Winds and that one two never did well and eventually died..

The one I have now is either from Pip and I am pretty sure it is. I am not looking at the marker right now, but pretty sure. Where ever he got it, it's a good one and doing very well. It's grown huge and gave me lots of fruit of which I should of taken a pic. But my friends and Dad came over and picked them all, well over 100 fruit before I even thought of it. It's a good producer and grows well and I will forever for as long as it stays alive be grateful to him..

Brian, by the way, love the pics. I have to keep going back and look at them. You must miss the summery months! I'll bet you spend quite a few moments inside the greenhouse lately, nice and warm and humid! Did you ever install some sort of running water, like a fountain or falls? That would be great! Would sound nice and supply humidity..Also, you need to buy a few canaries or parrots and set them free in there! Ha

Mike

Brian I would go ahead and graft the key lime seedlings.

Steve

Mike - Thanks for your Kishu experience. The little entry level one (all they had at the time) that I got over the summer from FW came with severely cupped leaves and a soggy mass of roots that mostly fell off when it was initially pulled from its liner. It never recovered despite it being planted in 5:1:1. It finally dropped all its leaves about a month ago. I still have it indoors just in case some miracle happens but I am doubting it. That is what prompted me to get the one from OGW that was multiple times the size with half the shipping cost, and 3 little fruit with it in the box (1 had already dropped off and the other 2 came off as I pulled it out of the box).

Thanks Brian, I really hope so :) The 2 growing cuttings became home to huge colonies of fungus gnat larvae. It was one of the nastiest sights I've ever seen! I withdrew water until they became very very dry. That did the trick and the cuttings are still alive so as a reward I gave them a nice drink yesterday!

Mikey buddy your dad and friends ate all your Kishu's did you at least try one lol and here we would loose it if it had been squirrel's or Raccoons . Mikey my Kishu and Meyer when I bring them in the GH drop half their leaves the only two out of all my tree's that react this way. Mikey I usually spend my evening's in the GH so much better than watching TV so relaxing . I do have a parrot and budgie I would love to bring them in but it's probably just a little bit to chilly in there for them . I tried a water fountain in there and it made the most relaxing sound but it splashed all over the place so I removed it .

Steve great I will give it a try , it will make a great winter project. Thx

Kvetchlambkin glad that you got rid of those fungus gnats. I had one little tree with them to they seem to be gone now . Do you have a fan circulating air around your tree's ?

Jenny sounds like you have a great Kishu tree there , the fruit are supposed to taste amazing. Your red lime sounds like a champ especially when it's pushing out new growth at this time of year , oh they grow so fast .

Brian

Brian, I hear it's a good sign if they're gone. It must mean you're doing well keeping the moisture levels just right! Or way too dry too I guess lol. I did have a fan directed at my tree but I turned it off just now. I tested the soil temperature with no fan on but I'm worried the fan will cool down the tree too much. I'll have to measure the soil temperature another time with the fan on all day to know for sure. Do you have a fan installed in your greenhouse? It must be so cozy in there. I always loved visiting the tropics themed green house during the winter at my university

Have been going through some old threads and Brian - I found an intermediate growth pic of your Kishu from this thread - http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/3136633/all-things-citrus-2-june-92015?n=220

:-D

My red lime (as of today) -

This is when I first got it back in mid-July (from Logee's) -

Wow, getting through that old thread is a treat with all those pictures. Mike your garden is my fairy tale dream garden. Soo beautiful. All the flowers and trees that were posted looked beautiful. Thanks for posting Jenny. Your red lime did grow a lot in that short time too. Do you know if it is a rooted cutting or grafted?

Good work Jenny I have been looking for an older picture of the kishu. The Kishu in front is so small. Thank you so much

Brian

Jenny your red lime looks really good. Any blooms yet I really want to see what the fruit's will end up look like .

Brian

That was a great link of photos Jenny! The pictures were so beautiful and Mikes garden my goodness!! A slice of paradise! I also loved cory's orchid photos, absolutely beautiful. He posted a photo of a green and purple mixed orchid in that thread. I've never seen such a color on a flower before and I'm so glad to have seen it today. I'll be on the lookout at my local nursery!

Susanne - Logee's sells them grafted. I am guessing they are on a trifolate, probably Flying Dragon.

Brian - No it hasn't bloomed yet. It is a baby. Laura's & Vladimir's did bloom this year and the blooms were pretty. They bought theirs the year before so am hoping next season mine will give me some blooms. Laura had a thread on hers here (and you can see what the blooms look like) - http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/4613825/red-finger-lime-love?n=51

I saw that Logee's is now sold out for the season for the red lime (probably thanks to this forum...lol). They had originally called it a "red finger lime" last year so most thought that is what it was but this year, Logee's clarified that they were actually the Australian red lime (also called "blood lime" or "red centre lime"). They are lime-shaped versus being elongated like a finger lime, but are tiny.

Kvetch - Agree that the old thread is great. Really lets you see what is possible!

As a sidenote, I just got back home from my sister's house where I wrapped her Celeste fig. A window of opportunity opened this morning (the little bit of rain we had early this morning had stopped, the sun came out, the temps started rising nicely and went over 50F, and the winds hadn't kicked up yet). Make hay as they say!!!!!!!