zone 4/5 inground flying dragon

Well, I've decided to plant a few seedlings in ground once it warms up. Am I crazy to do this? Whats the best plan of action for the fall, I know they'll die back a bit in winter, but is it possible to cover/protect them. Or should I plant them in containers for the winter?

Thanks in advance!

I suppose you could plant in ground with a lot of protection, but I personally would go the container route. When citrus are not actively growing they don't need much water at all. Mother Nature only understands this in the really warm parts of the world. Those of us who push the zones to their limits must act as Mother Nature and limit the water. When Mother Nature decides it should rain in a cold climate she doesn't think about the tender plants we have decided to grow and therefore soaks cold roots, which in turn reward us by drowning. Unless you have a way to keep the ground dry during the winters you will have drowning plants cause their roots are cold. Unless of course you find a way to keep the roots warm and functioning. While the latter might be possible, it would be rather expensive as far as the electric bills go.

On the other hand you could conduct an experiment to see if it will grow in the ground and return the following spring.
Andi

citrus, Give it a shot, I am trying to grow several cold hardy citrus in my zone 5ish.... I will be heating them most of the winter though...in my mind depends on how much work you want to do..............

Then again if you are going do all this work, why not make it edible

Frank

there was someone on another site that kept flying dragon alive outside zone 5 with just a tarp over for winter. Lost all leaves and any late season new growth, but ome spring it flushed back out. I plan on using the ground just to get hte more rapid growth than container growing brings, just to get to grafting size then go back to containers only.

It would be worthwhile to plant a couple of these in the ground for the beauty of the tree. They are decidious, lose their leaves in the winter under warmer consitions, and are cold tolerant.

Count me in. This is the year that I'll plant a couple of Trifoliates in the ground.....strictly a matter of seeing what the outcome will be. I have a small area...a milder 'micro-climate' on the south side of our house that currently has a couple of Magnolias and PawPaws growing there. I can fit another 'test tree' or two in there. During our winters we will typically see a dozen or so minus 20 degree days and nights. I would be willing to construct some sort of stryo-foam protective box to give it/them a bit more protection.

Well folks, it looks like I will be joining the experiment also. My winters are no where near as severe or as long as yours. Sometimes the only way to successfully answer questions is to jump in with both feet and recreate the situation. As soon as I get a FD plant it will go into the ground as a zone 6/7 test plant. I will keep detailed information as to its growth. Now to the important question. Does anyone know where I can get a plant or the seeds at this time of year. I have never tried them but I have been told that the seeds from TradeWinds fruit do not germinate. If anyone can dispute this I will order and attempt the germination.
Andi

Stan McKenzie or Ned Rahn (both in SC) would have them. E-mail me privately if you'd like their websites or e-mail addresses.

Poncirus Trifoliata is the hardiest true citrus, easily withstanding temperatures well below zero, and thriving as far north as Cape Cod, Massachusetts and as far inland as Saint Louis, Missouri. When totally dormant it is hardy to about -15F (-26C). Citrus hardiness is hard to predict. Factors affecting hardiness are minimum temperature, freeze duration, conditions before the freeze, soil moisture and wind protection. Citrus are usually hardier if they're healthy, well watered and fully dormant when cold arrives. The hardiness listed here is approximate and indicates where a fully dormant plant begins to experience significant damage.

I have sent both Stan and Ned emails inquiring about the plants.