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Prague citsuma in ground - zone 7b update

Laura LaRosa (7b)

5 years ago

Hi guys,

This spring, I planted by prague citsuma from Stan McKenzie in the ground after bringing inside for two winters. It has been outside most of this year in the ground and has seen the low 20s along with many days with high in the 30s. So far so good as the pics show. Fingers crossed that it survives. I have not tasted the fruit but hopefully it will grow more quickly in the ground - assuming of course that it survives the winter. I do not intend to cover it up unless we get some very very cold temps - like single digits. We shall see. I can post periodic updates for those of you interested in this variety.

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Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author

5 years ago

Oops...here are pics

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Comments (17)

calamondindave
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Looks like it's making it. I wanted one of those. Hopefully Stan will have one in stock when I visit next time.

Thanks for the update.
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I would suggest to keep your plant outside and well protected. I do not know specifically about Prague Citsuma but I know plants can lose their cold hardiness if they are not exposed to period of cold weather every year. Eg chinese elms can survive indoors in winter and they will remain evergreen. After a couple of winters indoors they are far less likely to survive outdoors even with protection. If you can keep it just above freezing (35-42) it is good enough. The trick will be to not let it go above 45 for extended periods otherwise it may come out of its dormancy. Again these are rules of thumb. I would have liked to experiment with one but I have promised my wife - no more plants. Nice to see you here Laura. I have been on forum much less past few months.
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poncirusguy6b452xx
5 years ago
Fingers crossed. Best of survival for it.

Steve
Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)
5 years ago
I wish you luck, Laura!!
Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Thank you guys. I hope it makes it. If we do get some temps into the single digits or low teens, would a blanket even help? I guess I could put some incadecent lights on it if I can find them, but I don't want to go through so much trouble...the whole point of the variety is its ability to survive up here.
bklyn citrus (zone 7B)
5 years ago
wimpy looking thing, have a frost cloth on standby
Ken "Fruity Paws" (N-Va 7a)
5 years ago
Laura, I wonder how cold hardy the Prague is. I tried a calamondin in-ground against my south facing brick wall, under roof overhang, outside of the winds, but it died in the hard freeze two years ago. Even a sister plant which I covered and had some auxiliary heat froze, but it was a polar vortex (single digit superhard freeze). Definitely, over protect your baby!
Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author
5 years ago
I saw a French blog of it surviving in Paris when I looked into it a long time ago. McKenzie was not sure if it would make it.
bklyn citrus (zone 7B)
5 years ago
It looks too young to take much straight up without protection of any kind, at least you put it in the ground in spring, at least use a frostcloth bag, good luck
sunshine (zone 6a, Ontario,Canada)
5 years ago
Laura, it looks good so far! Update us on how you protect it, if or when it needs the protection!
PacNorWreck
5 years ago
Not to derail the discussion too much, but has anyone left their Excalibur Red Lime outside in the cold? It’s allegedly more cold tolerant than calamondin but I haven’t seen anyone here vouch for it yet.
Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author
5 years ago
I’ve not heard of that one but would be nice to know more about it.
calamondindave
5 years ago
PacNorWreck: I've left my Red Lime out in the mid 30's. So far it's done OK. Haven't let it face freezing temps yet.
nmfruit
5 years ago
I hate to be pessimistic, but I can't imagine not having to protect it at some point, in certain years.

Personally, I would set up a frame around the plant each winter, and have a light and a cover ready to go in extreme cold. That would not be too much trouble for something I want around for a while.

Best of luck to you!
PacNorWreck
5 years ago
Hi Laura, the Excalibur Red Lime is just what UC Riverside calls the 'red lime' everybody on here bought from Hirt's last year. I remember reading up on it last year when everybody bought them and some of the references to it mentioned it being particularly cold hardy.
jinnylea
5 years ago
Wishing you and your little tree all the best, Laura! :)

Pac, my container Red lime is down in the gh all snug as a bug. The temperature did drop down to 34 ever so briefly but was unscathed. Lots of nice fruits yellowing up with a few turning orange. Can't wait to try one. It is a lovely tree.
Vladimir Kelman (6B/7A MD)
3 years ago
Laura, is it still alive?

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