Citrus Growers Forum

RitaB1001 · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Brandon, FL

I bought a Valencia Orange tree that was evidently grafted to a Flying Dragon orange...a little shoot came up from the base, all wiggly and thorned, and quite intriguing! I checked on what a Flying Dragon looked like and loved the beauty of the leafless branches...Is there a chance I can get an actual Flying Dragon orange tree from this wayward shoot on the Valencia tree? Also, how do the FD oranges taste? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

Skeeter · Posted: Tue 13 Feb, 2007 11:34 am

Hi RitaB,
Welcom to the forum. Yes on the possibility of getting a FD tree from that shoot. You can root it by air layering-- I will post a link on how to do that.

As for eating FD--- I have never tasted on but comments on this forum suggest it is something you will never do a second time-- apparently it taste awful and the taste lingers for a long time.

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Skeet

Skeeter · Posted: Tue 13 Feb, 2007 11:37 am

This link is from Joe Real, one of the true experts on this forum.

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=4148728&a=31193555&f=

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Skeet

RitaB1001 · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Brandon, FL

Skeet,
Thank you so much for the information on my Flying Dragon and the great step by step info on air-layering...I'm going to get brave and give it a try, but maybe I'll try it out on a different tree first, just in case... Thanks, too, for the heads up on the taste of the fruit!!!! That part of your reply made me laugh... Laughing

I truly appreciate your prompt and detailed answer to my question!!!
Rita

Patty_in_wisc · Posted: Wed 14 Feb, 2007 12:31 am

Rita, I used JoeReal's method of air layering several times & it works well for me. I cut bark off (or peal it) about an inch & I like using small clear plastic cups so you can see root activity thru it. I lost 2 in beginning because I cut it off mother too soon. Don't forget to keep it moist but not too wet.
Flying Dragon fruit tastes a little like turpentine! YUK But the plant is so cool.

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Patty
I drink wine to make other people more interesting Wink

RitaB1001 · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Brandon, FL

Patty, you've given me hope for my ability to succeed in air-layering! I get very anxious, so I'll remember to NOT remove the baby from its mother too soon...
Turpentine, huh? I think I'll skip the fruit! Wink

I'd never have known about the flying dragon if the funny little shoot hadn't suddenly appeared...I keep the tags on my trees, just in case, and when I reread it, it said something about the Flying Dragon, so I decided to take a look...I think it's a truly fascinating tree without its leaves!!! I fell in love with the pictures and am looking forward to growing a full one of my own...It took away the joy of the sweet Valencia orange once I saw the dragon!!! Razz

Thank you so much for your help and encouragement... I appreciate it!
Rita