Well, 7b unfortunately is not a good place to grow Oranges in the Winter. I think besides Trifoliate Orange and related, the next closest zone would be 8a and that is for Fortunella and even that zone may be too hard for that genra.

Orange especially seems to be a very frost sensitive species in general. As you may have seen on news broadcasts in the past when farmers go crazy when a freak cold front dives down into Florida. What I could suggest is that you build a sort of makeshift greenhouse for the orange that can be pieced together around it during the winter. Preferably something with a domes style top on it so that when snow falls it will slip and melit off it rather quickly. I would hook up a couple of heat lamps in this makeshift greenhouse so that heat can be generated when it is below 32 outside. You may want to get a temperature sensitive switch of cheap thermostat so that the light will turn off and on to generate heat when it gets below the set temperature. I would reccomend a flood light or 2 mounted on the ground (since heat rises). SO when temp drops to say 50 degrees, the thermostat will turn on the flood lights. When the air temp gets to say 55, it will turn the light back off.

Otherwise, you wnt to keep the orange tree indoors.

VTY
-Mark

Look at the bottom of the link to see an example of winter protection. Interestingly enough, the man who erected the structure hasn't had to use it! Our last killing freeze was in 1989 here in se Texas.

Here is a link that might be useful: mrtexas

Thanks Mark. It won't be pretty, but I'll try. I especially like the heat lamp idea.

Mr. Texas, your structure is awesome. I'd feel much better if there was a more temporary solution. I'd like to be able to protect the tree on cold nights and remove the covering by morning. I live in a subdivision and the tree will be planted near the road for all to see and admire. I'm assuming I only need to cover the tree when temps fall below freezing, but I read somewhere that the trees prefer temps above 50 degrees. Does this mean I'll need to protect the tree whenever its below 50? Sure hope not.

Well, I don't know if Orange is the way to go. You may want to find some Duncan Grapefruit. They are Hardy into the lower 20's from what I know. If you can get to Arizona you can probably find some there. Mail Order will due as well. I think and Orange tree in 7b is going to be a dead wood skeleton by next spring unfortunately without that protective temp greenhouse.

VTY
-Mark

No! Last winter was an anomaly. It was a warm winter. It is not unusual for temps to drop down into the teens almost any winter in zone 7B for several hours. Citrus just can't take those temps. For example, the winter storm in January 1982 (remember the Air Florida crash in D.C.?) practically wiped out the Gulf coast satsuma groves. Then the Storm of the Century in March 1993 wiped out what was left. Temps dropped down to zero or near zero both times. We have had many cold spells spread over weeks since that time. In 1999 I was in New Orlean at Thanksgiving and it dropped to 30 degrees.

I agree totally. I am on Long Island, and the temps here can get quite cold for long periods of time as well. Just down the Road from me (and am sure at my location as well) Temps have dropped into negaqtive double digits quite a few times in the past, cold enough for only Trifoliate Orange. Officially even that species is overtaxed by the record -23 below. Somehow the US government listed my section of Long Island as 7a :). But I digress. You are in 7b, but that is still cold enough to make most Citrus and related unsuitable for your region without protection, even Fortunella would have a hard time. I would reccomend once again temporary shelter. Maybe not designed as MtTexas has done, but something very similar. Actually I was thinking about the problem and think you could make something fairly modular & easy to erect. I don't think it would look to bad having it covered up for the cold months of Nov-Mar. Anyway I am writing up a small simple design which may help make it a bit easier to cover things up during the winter. I will post it shortly.

VTY
-Mark

Thanks Mark. I'm looking forward to your design. I was thinking of constructing a simple, lightweight frame of pvc pipe. Something I could cover and uncover quickly and easily. After reading your posts however, I'm starting to second guess myself. I love seeing things grow and succeed in my garden. Nothing would be more heartbreaking than to plant a tree then watch it succumb to cold weather.

7B,

I would talk to Stan McKenzie of McKenzie Farms. check out his site because he specializes in cold hardy citrus and has varieties that would be worth it for you to try. Maybe an orange isn't the best choice, but I'd try something if I were you. I know I'm in quite a different zone over here on the coast, but I've done the temporary winter structure as well (for six trees). I'm still new at this, but it's worked so far.

Marj

I agree, STan sends nice trees. I ordered 2 citrus for my area, (flying dragon/Poncirus) that I planted in the garden this spring. His prices were excellent and he's a nice guy to deal with..Toni

Besides grapefruit, what do you have growing in-ground in zone 6/7/8a?

Just back from Stan at McKenzie farms. He recommends satsuma mandarin and kumquat. Great guy, very helpful.

Thanks folks for your help!