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Sour orange tree in California - bay area.

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I've been looking for a sour orange tree in Northern California Bay Area, no luck so far. I even called few nurseries in south Cali, is it a hard to find tree? Please share the name of place you bought yours from in Bay Area, and if it was recently. Thank you.

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Comments (5)

evdesert 9B Indio, CA
8 years ago
Four winds growers. Also have you tried Armstrong growers? Possibly willits & Newcomb?
tim45z10
8 years ago
I believe I bought mine at peaceful valley. Mail order.
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BarbJP 15-16/9B CA Bay Area
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Go to an independent nursery and order one. If they buy from Four Winds, and Four Winds has them in stock, the nursery can special order one for you the next time they get stock. Most nurseries will be ordering quite often at this time in preparation for the spring rush.

You can't order direct from Four Winds where you live. It's weird, but they will only sell wholesale to retail nurseries in Northern California. But they have no problem with the nurseries special ordering something on their regular stock orders. It just depends on if Four Winds has any ready to sell at the time.
Jason
Original Author
8 years ago
Seems like Four winds is the only one that sells them but they are out of stock on most verities and sizes. I was wondering when exactly do nurseries bring in citrus trees. I might have to try grafting sour orange on orange or lemon tree but don't know when is the best citrus tree grafting season.
BarbJP 15-16/9B CA Bay Area
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
It depends on how fast the retail nursery runs low on citrus trees. I used to work at a south bay nursery. We ordered citrus trees about an average of every 4-6 weeks, more often in spring/summer, less often fall/winter. Four Winds will deliver every week if the minimum order is met, a special order will be tacked on after the minimum store order is filled. But yes, those are often out of stock. I think they only propagate a few each year as Sour Orange isn't very popular. You could call Four Winds and ask when their next ones will be ready to sell. Then you could time your special order for around that time of year. They're really nice and would not mind you calling at all.

I don't know when the best time to graft is as I don't do it, but I'd imagine probably mid to late spring. And you'd need to get certified bud wood from the state to be legal. Not hard to do nor expensive and you'll know you're getting clean disease free bud wood.

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