I live in zone 6 and have a poncirus trifolate that I planted three years ago as a 1 year old seedling. The first winter it benefited from a neighboring perennial that leaned over and covered it throughout the winter, but has had no further protection since. Last year its trunk was buried in snow about 14 inches deep for weeks on end. It currently stands about 7 feet high and is in a southern exposure between an asphalt driveway and a white house. I neglected to plant my flying dragon seedling last summer, and by the time I remembered, it was too close to fall to expect a good result. I do fully intend to do so this spring. They can definitely thrive in a zone 6 climate. One year of protection, along with a well thought out location, is all that is necessary. The fruit, in my opinion, cannot get past your nose, so who would even consider placing them in their mouth? They are beautiful trees, however, and many a neighbor will stop and ask you about it. They will probably also walk away thinking that you are half crazy! lol I have mine for rootstock, because grafting is a goal of mine.

I've never been able to root Poncirus cuttings - they just sit there, looking green but not producing roots. But my climate is a lot colder than Florida! However, once rooted and growing, there is no reason you shouldn't use them as rootstocks. The only possible problem is that rooted cuttings don't have a strong downward growing tap-root, so trees may eventually be less stable in stormy conditions. Most authorities say that citrus plants only initiate flowering and fruiting after a fixed number of leaf-nodes have been produced, counting along the main stem. However, no exact figure is ever quoted. So, on this basis, a seedling rootstock cutting will take virtually as long as a new seedling to mature - although being sturdier to start with, it may grow and reach the required node count faster. Here in cool England, Poncirus takes about 12 years to start flowering. In warm Florida I guess it could be about half this period. Flying Dragon seems to be similar to the standard form in terms of time to maturity.

Actually the most trifoliate strains,including flying dragon, FD,can be made to grow in clay but they really grow slow. The main thing is acidity or alkalinity in the soil. Here is the best rule of thumb for the Gulf Coast (and inland to San Antonio in Texas]. Look around for wild conifers. If you see them trifoliate will grow well. If you dont see them, do some research. Trifoliate also grows south of Houston along ancient streams courses and newer, still flowing waterways like Oyster Creek where there is much better soil and yet no conifers. Ask your Ag Extension Agent or Soil Conservation office. Our county library system has a soil altas. What you want is a neutral to slightly acid soil AND subsoil. Also check the water, if you have hard water, its alkaline in this region. If you have alkaline clay including down 4 ft, use a raised bed and acidify. You will have a lot less trouble with sour orange in either case. I lost one citrus in this Jan freeze and it was on citrange. My sour orange trees were OK.

Hi garnetmoth. Yes they are a bud sport & very rare. These were budded to standard FD rootstock as you can see. I collect variegated citrus and am always on the hunt for rare varieties. At the moment I have : Variegated Eureka Lemon Variegated Centennial Kumquat Variegated Ponderosa Lemon Variegated Owari Satsuma Variegated Buddha's Hand Citron Variegated Etrog Citron Variegated Lisbon Lemon (Sungold) Variegated Chinotto Orange Variegated Flying Dragon Variegated Calomondin