I completely understand Ned, No Problem. I will check with Stan at a later date.
Darren

Regarding the grapefruit: I am glad you all are keeping eyes and ears out for these things. I'll bet we would be astounded if we knew what was growing in yards. Many thousands of people have probably tried seeds and there are probably scores of interesting citrus growing in the marginal areas. I ate my first three Juanita tangerine fruits a couple months ago and am vastly pleased that such can grow Zone 8. But someone had to know about it and then to propagate it for distribution. That's how I met Stan. He had some at a garden festival at Florence a number of years ago. How many more interesting cold-hardy citrus are out there? Doing us no good till someone who can appreciate their importance finds out about them.

Citrus Joe and I met Juanita at the 2005 Citrus Expo in SC. See, you meet nice people when you hang out in nice places. - Millet

Gone bananas, I had a phone call last night from a friend of mine who lives in the adjoining county of Williamsburg. We were mostly talking farming when he told me of an acquaintance of his that was riding a big box of fresh picked oranges around in his truck. He said he inquired as to where the oranges came from since they still had leaves and stems attached. The oranges ( probably hamlins) were picked from his friends tree that is growing in a yard in Kingstree, SC which is just 17 miles down the road from me. The owner of the tree explained that it was a seedling tree that was growing in the yard when he and his wife purchased the place about 5 years ago. He said his wife who was a Florida native recognized the tree as being citrus so they didnt remove it in their revamping. According to our conversation, the tree has borne fruit for the past 3 years and the 05 crop was the biggest yet. My farmer friend was given 3 of the fruits and he says they are super sweet and have just a few seed in each. He now wants to buy a citrus tree! Just thought Id post this since Gone Bananas made the statement about there being stuff out there that is yet to be discovered. Needless to say, I will be making a trip to Kingstree to see the local " juice factory"

I live just outside of Columbia, SC and have never heard of this famous GF tree. I can just about figure the area you mentioned where the tree is. I, of course, would never attempt to go there considering the gentleman's health. I couldn't get the pictures to come up....guess the link had been moved or was bad.

I am looking forward to the next citrus expo....is the next one in Charleston, or am I behind the times? I didn't check the date of the post.

This has certainly been an interesting read. How does one manage to get in on the "inner circle" to be able to get budwood?

Ned, one of my friends at Norway, SC told me about you this past summer. I will only mention his first name "Sonny". He is the one that got me started with citrus. He is furnishing me with cuttings of his muscadines this year. He gave me your number and I had hoped to call you. My husband has been sick and not able to travel so I have delayed any travel plans to remain home by him, thus the reason I haven't bothered to call. (heart attack and cardiac rehab)

I have been thoroughly smitten with the citrus bug. If there is any cure, do let me know. I only have about six tenths of an acre and muscadines and blueberries already lined up for planting, plus about 500 daylilies for hybridizing!!

Citrusgalore,

Sonny comes to Port Royal (near Beaufort) occasionally and we have been up to visit him and his wife. They have a very interesting place. They are certainly way out in the country. You are welcome to visit here anytime, just give me a call before coming to be sure we are at home.

Here are a few pictures of the Croxton GF"

Ned

Not sure why, but only one picture posted. I imagine that is enough anyway.

Ned

Two pictures loaded up...very nice looking tree, I must say.

We (my husband and myself) really enjoy Sonny and his wife's hospitality. And you are right....waaayyyyy out in the country, for sure. I really like his set up.

Anyone know the answers to any of my other questions?

Citrusgalore, there is no "inner circle". Make a list of the budwood that you would like to receive and post it, and see what response you get. Do you presently have some root stock with the bark slipping? - Millet

Actually, I do not have any citrus at this moment. At my place of work, I do propagating for my boss lady. Her main sales are citrus and herbs---the culinary type. She doesn't carry the cold hardy citrus I believe I need for my zone. She does carry about 18 varieties, so I will have access to them if I become interested in them in the future.
I have a trip planned in the next few weeks to buy from Stan. I have already sent him my wish list.

I am definitely on the lookout for some Flying Dragon seeds for rootstock. Since I am somewhat handicapped, I am not able to climb ladders and my husband can't climb because he has vertigo and will swoon and fall. I think the FD will keep the citrus more suited to our needs height-wise...hopefully.

Soooo....anyone have FD seeds I can get? PM me with particulars and that will get me officially started. When I get my rootstock going, then I will solicit for some bud wood, if it can still be sent without restrictions or quarantines.

I have 170 Butia Capitata seeds to start this next week. I would be willing to part with about half of them in a swap for FD seeds, or will pay postage, etc. Just PM me with particulars. These seeds are fresh and really clean and heavy.
I have 2 Butias and 33 Sabal Minors I started this past March. They sailed right through the 17 deg. we had a couple weeks ago. Only a couple had about 1/2 in. of the tip burned.

As soon as I can get it figured out how to post photos to this forum, I will get some pictures up.