I'm new to this forum and have a comment that I hope is of interest (my questions will certainly come in time)...

After reading many posts here and on other gardening forums, more and more I am realizing the merits of zone denial. Folks in real citrus climates for example are usually the doubtful ones when it comes to experimenting, saying things to others in colder zones like "you can't grow citrus there" or "it won't work" or "it would be too much trouble", etc..

We in colder zones are already painfully aware of our limitations, and perhaps because of this our standards might be slightly different (I will be jumping for joy if I can grow some citrus hybrid no matter how much sugar is needed to sweeten its juice). Anyway, I find what those with the greatest challenges climate-wise are doing the most interesting of all.

So, my theory is that zone denial motivates people to experiment in some very interesting ways. Of course in the citrus world there would be no such thing as "cold hardy" if not for some zone pushers working to expand the limits of cultivation.

What do you all think?

I think that a large portion (over 90 percent) of the members here are growing there citrus in the coldest places around the world. So most of the members here are troopers in what they are doing and are perfecting it.

Of Course, Its not worth doing something if its easy. I find it more rewarding to grow citrus and tropicals in an area where everyone else is not doing the same thing.

Two weeks ago we had a rare November arctic cold spell for about 5 days (the week of the American Thanksgiving) We got down to the mid to upper teens and for a couple of days we didn't get close to freezing as a daytime high. Well, knowing the freeze was on its way, I wrapped my in ground citrus, put a couple of strings of Christmas lights around the trees - my largest being a 7' Meyer lemon. In doing so I found about 12 lemons ready for harvesting- they were delicious - including the rind I am in zone denial too!

I am one of very few to successfully grow citrus outdoors in Canada. Mind you, we live in a tiny corner of the worlds second largest country (by area) where the climate allows this to be at all possible. With allot of dedication TLC and luck, you can make the dream of growing citrus a possibility. There are several varieties of Palm that do well here too.

Greg

Greg, your certainly a good example for what can be done with citrus that is grown far north of the citrus belt. Long ago I planted the nick name "Citrus Joe" on a friend who is a Colorado citrus grower, that many here on this forum have heard mention of, maybe we should start calling you Citrus Canada. - Millet (768-)

Congratulations to Greg and the others here on the board who are attempting to grow citrus in "less than favorable" conditions. Greg, your cold Thanksgiving weather has finally invaded S.C. We had 14F here last night and Im hoping my citrus trees are still alive this morning. I have the misters going and they have been iced down since Sunday night but to have 14F this early in the season doesnt sound like a global warming winter to me! Will keep you guys posted on the northern most citrus grove on the East Coast!

Stan,

How did the trees do? We went down to about 20 and had spot lights under ours and they seem ok so far. The lemon looks like it will show a bit of damage.
You mention misters-we're predicted to go down to 14 next weekp what are you using as a misting system?

Thanks.
Georgia

Stan.
Hope your trees came through ok. We went down to about 20 and had spotlights under them and so far they're not looking too bad. Worried about next weeks projection of 14 for here in Beaufort.

WOW! 14F in Beaufort! We are usually about 5 degrees colder so single digits for me if that is the case! I have feeder hose run the lenght of my citrus grove on every row.. I then have what is called in the nursery trade ( spaghetti tubing) that plugs into the feed hose that has a small sprayer tip at the other end. I turn these mister sprayers on each night it is supposed to be below 25 F. I will let all of you know how my trees fared once we get into a thaw... if ever!

Stan,

good luck!!!

My inground citrus after a night at 25 degrees, another at 21 degrees and a day under 32 degrees.



Satsuma Owari



Fruit of satsuma Owari



Satsuma Okitsu



Thomasville (left), US119 (right)



Citrange Sanford x C. reticulata "Curafora"

My citrus are planted near Bordeaux (SW France) : zone 8b ? 45°North.

I havent checked back in on this thread since the big chill but it appears most of my satsuma grove will be OK.. This after 2 nights in 2 weeks of 13F and 14F!. A lot of my mainstream citrus such as navel orange, hamlin oranges, and some others appear to be FRIED! The leaves are all shriveled and turning pale. I just hope the trees survive!. Will try and get some pictures of the misting system in action next freeze event we have! One bright spot in the picture is a Croxton grapefruit tree. I covered it with tarp and have a mister in the center of the tree.. This tree appears to have no damage at all.. Also, some seedling satsuma trees appear to have weathered the cold with very little damage and no artificial protection whatsoever!