Satsuma is really the only "good-tasting" variety that can be grown in zone 8a. It will not thrive the best there, but it can be grown. Protecting it with a heavy covering of mulch during the winter will definitely help, and a young tree definitely needs to be kept in a pot and brought inside during the winter the first few years until it becomes bigger. You might want to look into trying to create a warmer microclimate. I mean like planting it against a south-facing brick wall. Something else I have read of is using a big pile of freshly decaying compost, which naturally gives off some heat. Two other types of citrus that do well in colder climates are kumquats and yuzu.

Jenny, that’s very useful, understand how the hardiness zones are calculated. Since my area has hot humid summers, I’m gonna guess it’s probably a lot like Virginia or the Carolinas? Crazy pest and mold problems here, but when things grow they grow like crazy. The weeds in the summer are like nothing I’ve ever seen. Yuzu was the first citrus people recommended for this area. Mikan (mandarins) were recommended too. The resprouting is kind of neat, and at least before the moles showed up, they had very extensive root systems, which should help with regrowth. I’m not expecting much or any fruit though, as there’s no leaves to support them, and all has to be regrown in one season. Not sure how useful that is. Thanks Cory. The last time I tried grafting I cut my thumb open in the grafts never made it anyway! Pon, I agree with you, it’s nice to use the passive heat systems. I’m still interested to experiment with some ideas. The typhoons really make it tricky here though, as things being blown away can be a bit dangerous. I don’t miss low temperatures like that anymore. I would have no problem moving to an even warmer area that I’m in now.

Steve, Curious what the expectations are of the Cleopatra X FD? Anticipating it be edible or just a better rootstock?

This is the only citrus tree I have that has hardened off for winter. My 13 month old Fukushu kumquat grafted to a 1.8 year old Flying dragon, at time of bud grow starting first week in September Steve