Stop me from buying more citrus

9 years ago

With fall fruit tree planting season under way here (SW Louisiana) I am being tempted by the clearance citrus in the garden centers and I am debating planting more cold hardy citrus (in ground). I currently have 3 mature Owari Satsumas, last year I added a Meyers Lemon, a Cara Cara Orange, and 3 varieties of early season Satsumas (La Early , St Ann, and Armstrong).

I am now considering adding a Brown Select Satsuma, or perhaps a Mandarin (unknown variety grown by Saxon Becnel, tag just reads mandarin), Clementine (Also from Saxon Becnel, tag reads "Mandarin (Celmentine)" ), and one that is possibly a Page Mandarin or perhaps a meiwa kumquat.

I have left all the limes, lemons and graprefruit off the list as they are less cold hardy.

Since Louisiana is a quarantine state with a relatively small citrus industry selection here is limited, almost all available here comes from one of two nurseries (Saxon Becnel or Star Nursery) both graft primarily to Swingle, Carrizo or Flying Dragon for dwarf although none of the local garden centers have anything on flying dragon at the moment).

So what do you think out of these selections?

Featured Answer

Monyet

9 years ago

Most forum members have enough knowledge of the most delish citrus fruits. Years ago i wrote a post about fruits in general and it goes like this: Would you rather grow 5 tree's of 0ne variety that you absolute love or 5 different kinds where 4 are not so good. I grow a lot of Asian persimmon and now that i pick-up a lot of smarts about persimmons i am going to top-work all the others that are not good enough. I settle for 2 kinds.

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Comments (10)

Monyet
9 years ago
Right now it is kind of risky to buy citrus in your area because of greening problem. I would not go crazy till you know for sure if it is ok.

I have 5 Flying Dragon plants available and graft your own variety(s). I am sure somebody here could give you budwood.
myermike_1micha
9 years ago
I hate to say this, but most of us here can't even stop ourselves..lol
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Ike Stewart
Original Author
9 years ago
I have my concerns about citrus greening, however the nearest cases I have seen reported are nearly 150 miles away. Which then leaves the argument to plant now while it is still available.
Laura LaRosa (7b)
9 years ago
Those look great Bob!
cory (Zone 7a, NJ)
9 years ago
What 2 kinds do you like Bob?

Cory
Monyet
9 years ago
The 2 kinds that i "grow" are Sayo and R.B. R.B looks like a much larger version than Sayo.

Citrus: Xie shan, Shiranui, Page, Red Navel and of course Meyer. I do have varieties grown from seeds that i like to give away!!
poncirusguy6b452xx
9 years ago
Bob I agree. I have 2 Fukushu kumquats, 1 Meiwa kumquat, 2 New Zealand lemonades, and 1 potted Cuban Shaddock. The in-ground 2nd CS has grown 8 feet taller and I can't protect it so it will die this winter.
Hiro
9 years ago
I love page oranges. They are relatively small, but it has a wonderful and intense taste. I recently bought a tree (in a container). It's a vigorous grower, even in a pot.

I think everyone here is an enabler, haha.
Laura LaRosa (7b)
9 years ago
Yes...we enable each other here!