Citrus in Oklahoma.

8 years ago

Haven't been around lately so hello again. I've have been growing citrus in pots here in bixby for a long time. Decided this year to try them in the ground. My protection method so far is a simple small hoop house. 2 layers of frost cloth and a tarp at night. Frost cloth is letting plenty of light in. For heat im using a 25 count strand of C9 lights on a thermocube type device that comes on at 38. At first I had the device inside the cover but it would warm up to 45, shut off, come back on etc all night. That's fine but citrus prefer more consistent temps. I move the device outside so now it basically leaves the lights on when it's 38 or less outside. So far it stays about 16 degrees warmer than outside. Below 20 I'll probably add another frost cloth or tarp to hold more heat in. Trees are a Meyer lemon and satsuma. The Meyer is yellowing from some nutrient issue which I'm working on

mike

Featured Answer

mike foster

last year

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Comments (12)

AmyinOwasso/zone 6b
8 years ago
Mike, where did you get the satsuma, I've been looking for one. I hope your system works.
mksmth zone 7a Tulsa Oklahoma
Original Author
8 years ago
Hey Amy thanks. I got it years ago at Lowe's. Sometimes southwood Nursery gets Miho and Arctic frost satsuma. I have a Miho still in a pot. Plan to graft it to the inground satsuma along with a piece of my Dekopon/sumo. The one in the ground is Armstrong. Not the best satsuma out there. That's why I started with it. Figured if I lost it to freeze it wouldn't be a big loss
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AmyinOwasso/zone 6b
8 years ago
Thanks, Mike, I will have to check Southwood.
Okiedawn OK Zone 7
8 years ago
It will be interesting to see how they do in the ground. Please keep us posted.

I grow citrus in pots, but usually cannot keep them alive more than about 5 years---my fault, not theirs, as I tend to leave them out on a cold night when I shouldn't, usually because I'm gone to a fire and forget to carry them in when I get home.
qzr TX Zone 8B
8 years ago
Before planting in the ground you might want to make sure that the rootstock is appropriate for your soil. A lot of citrus comes from Florida so is on rootstocks for acidic soil. Also, citrus are very heavy feeders of nitrogen. I went to a conference for commercial citrus growers and was shocked about the amount of nitrogen needed. A mature citrus tree can yield up to 1000 lb of fruit.
AmyinOwasso/zone 6b
8 years ago
That's interesting, maybe I should throw coffee ground in my pots. How would you determine if it needed acid soil? I mean, I got my trees at Atwoods. No telling where they came from.
qzr TX Zone 8B
8 years ago
If the rootstock has trouble with alkaline soil then you will see nutrient deficiencies. The leaves will be yellow etc. You can use acidifying fertilizers that will help to reduce this problem if it occurs.
Vicki Murray
2 years ago
My lime tree was brought back from a Florida vacation 7 years ago and is in a half whiskey barrel. I have drug this thing into my bathroom for seven long years and I think I will put it in the ground next year. It blooms beatifully but only produced me TWO limes this year!
HU-741803622
last year
You ought to try out the Fantastic variety avocado tree, cold hardy down to 10-15 degrees
mike foster
last year
Hey everyone. Mike here. Forgot my log in stuff. Trees are doing great. This photo was from winter. I get about 50 pounds of Meyer lemons at Christmas time. Im currently building a bigger protection system so they can get bigger.
slowpoke_gardener
last year
Looks great.