When I start discussing Citrus with people most of them think, Oranges, Lemons, Limes, Grapefruit. Sometimes they may even think Tangerines and Kumquats. Which is fine and dandy. What a lot of people don't realize is, Citrus can hybridize very easily. It could be a natural cross or a man made cross. Sometimes it creates some very interesting and at times very funny names. You may even know a few of these and didn't know why they are called what they are.
I will start out with a more common one:
Tangelo: Usually found in the grocery store as Minneola Tangelo. You may know this one with the funny looking neck. This is a cross between a Tangerine (Tang) and a Pummelo (elo). The Pummelo is the grandfather of the Grapefruit. Pummelos can also be found in the stores today.
Now you know how they come up with the names, sometimes. There are times that how they come up with the name completely escapes me, like the Razzlequat (Kumquat and an Australian Citrus)
With the Tangelo there is also the:
Citrumelo (Pummelo and Poncirus trifoliata)
Anything with quat in it I find funny. Kumquat, etc. Some funny and interesting ones that come from Kumquat hybrids are:
Eustis Limequat (Lime and Kumquat)
Procimequat (Kumquat and Eustis Limequat)
Lemonquat (Lemon and Kumquat)
Orangequat (Kumquat and Satsuma Orange)
Then there are the crosses with Mandarins:
Citrandin (Mandarin and Poncirus trifoliata)
Calamandarin (Calamondin and Mandarin)
The Poncirus trifoliata makes some of the most unusual names:
Citraldin (Poncirus trifoliata and Calamondin)
Citremon (Poncirus trifoliata and Meyer Lemon)
Tai-Tri (Poncirus trifoliata and Citrus taiwanica)
I know what you are thinking, I am making these names up! Actually,there are many,many more crosses out there. Much too many to list here. Sometimes truth is funnier than fiction, I am not sure I could even come up with many of these on my own.
Then of course, there is the favorite cross of many folks out there, many of whom don't even know it's a cross. The Meyer Lemon. This is a cross between a Lemon and a Sweet Orange. So sad to say, it's not a true Lemon.
Do you grow more than one or two different varieties of Citrus? Why not try hybridizing your own? There is all kinds of tutorials on the web about crossing varieties and hybridizing. Just make sure you write down the two parents so maybe someday you can claim that you created something like the Yuzuquat (Yuzu and Kumquat) or the Yuzvange (Yuzu and Savage Citrange)!
Happy Growing!
Darren
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Cactus' or Cacti?
One of the very first plants that I got started with was a Cactus. It was some type of Euphorbia. I could make a good guess at which one exactly, but it would be just that "A Guess". That was some 35+ years ago!
Many people grow Cactus in containers, so it's not that unusual. I grow my in containers and except for the two in the last two pictures, The Stapelia gigantea and the Cereus spp. they stay outside ALL year long. I live in a Zone 8. The key here is to have a great micro-climate.
The picture below, My Ferocactus peninsulae stays in place out by my street where I park. I figure the asphalt must give enough heat off at night to sustain it. We dropped to 18 degrees a couple of times last year and had 12 nights of below freezing (well below some nights) this year. Just as a side note, I grew this baby from seed. It was in a mixed seed packet and is about 15 years old.
These steps are outside my backdoor. We never used this door and it is actually always locked. Again, they stay out there all Winter long. These steps are on the West side of the house. So again, I figure the concrete absorbs the heat and gives it back off at night. You also can't see it very well, but just to the right of the steps, behind the Silk Floss Tree (Ceiba speciosa) is my heater/ac unit. I imagine it puts off a little bit of heat when it is running also.
My Night Blooming Cereus and the Starfish Cactus (Stapelia gigantea) actually go into the greenhouse during the Winter.
The gist of this post I wanted to get across is:
Know and Use your Micro-Climates!
There are a lot of plants that will do very well for you, IF you find the right place. You can also take advantage of NOT having to move them in and around all the time once you find that "Sweet" spot for them. I never would have thought that Cactus'?...Cacti?..would thrive and flourish in Charleston SC left out all Winter.
I know this much, I plan on taking lots more pictures this year when they start to flower. Mother Nature has hit the reset button and I expect to have LOTS and LOTS of blooms this Spring. Stay Tuned for the blast of color in upcoming posts!
Happy Growing!
Darren
Many people grow Cactus in containers, so it's not that unusual. I grow my in containers and except for the two in the last two pictures, The Stapelia gigantea and the Cereus spp. they stay outside ALL year long. I live in a Zone 8. The key here is to have a great micro-climate.
The picture below, My Ferocactus peninsulae stays in place out by my street where I park. I figure the asphalt must give enough heat off at night to sustain it. We dropped to 18 degrees a couple of times last year and had 12 nights of below freezing (well below some nights) this year. Just as a side note, I grew this baby from seed. It was in a mixed seed packet and is about 15 years old.
These steps are outside my backdoor. We never used this door and it is actually always locked. Again, they stay out there all Winter long. These steps are on the West side of the house. So again, I figure the concrete absorbs the heat and gives it back off at night. You also can't see it very well, but just to the right of the steps, behind the Silk Floss Tree (Ceiba speciosa) is my heater/ac unit. I imagine it puts off a little bit of heat when it is running also.
My Night Blooming Cereus and the Starfish Cactus (Stapelia gigantea) actually go into the greenhouse during the Winter.
The gist of this post I wanted to get across is:
Know and Use your Micro-Climates!
There are a lot of plants that will do very well for you, IF you find the right place. You can also take advantage of NOT having to move them in and around all the time once you find that "Sweet" spot for them. I never would have thought that Cactus'?...Cacti?..would thrive and flourish in Charleston SC left out all Winter.
I know this much, I plan on taking lots more pictures this year when they start to flower. Mother Nature has hit the reset button and I expect to have LOTS and LOTS of blooms this Spring. Stay Tuned for the blast of color in upcoming posts!
Happy Growing!
Darren
Friday, February 5, 2010
Messin with Mother Nature
A couple of days ago I stuck a whole bunch of Camellia cuttings. February 3rd to be exact. I got them from some good friends of mine, Christine and Tony (Thanks Guys!)
I have been told, split about 60-40 positive, that I should not try to root them now. The 60 percent that says YES,TRY IT, have done it very successfully this time of year. The other 40 percent think I should have waited until May or June. I am the type that loves to mess with Mother Nature. However,I do keep remembering that old Parkay commercial, "It isn't nice to fool Mother Nature" Be it as it may, I have cut the Camellias and I have stuck them in my interesting, yet I think, EFFECTIVE propagation chambers. See for yourself:
Basically, what you are looking at are 2 liter soda bottles. I took the labels off, punched holes in the bottom and cut them around the middle almost all the way around. Then I filled them with a mixture of Sand, Peat Moss and Perlite. Watered well. I cut the stems at as much of an angle as I could, and stripped the bark off another inch or so. Dipped them in rooting hormone. Used a pencil to make the hole. Inserted the cutting, packed the soil in around the end. I closed the bottle, with Duct Tape and wrote the variety on the tape. Then I placed the bottle in very bright light, with bottom heat, in a very warm room (74 degrees average).
I will be happy if I get 75% rooting success.
I read about this type of rooting chamber online somewhere, I wish I could remember where so I could give them credit. I will keep you posted as to the status of the cutting and the progress they make.
Happy Growing!
Darren
I have been told, split about 60-40 positive, that I should not try to root them now. The 60 percent that says YES,TRY IT, have done it very successfully this time of year. The other 40 percent think I should have waited until May or June. I am the type that loves to mess with Mother Nature. However,I do keep remembering that old Parkay commercial, "It isn't nice to fool Mother Nature" Be it as it may, I have cut the Camellias and I have stuck them in my interesting, yet I think, EFFECTIVE propagation chambers. See for yourself:
Basically, what you are looking at are 2 liter soda bottles. I took the labels off, punched holes in the bottom and cut them around the middle almost all the way around. Then I filled them with a mixture of Sand, Peat Moss and Perlite. Watered well. I cut the stems at as much of an angle as I could, and stripped the bark off another inch or so. Dipped them in rooting hormone. Used a pencil to make the hole. Inserted the cutting, packed the soil in around the end. I closed the bottle, with Duct Tape and wrote the variety on the tape. Then I placed the bottle in very bright light, with bottom heat, in a very warm room (74 degrees average).
I will be happy if I get 75% rooting success.
I read about this type of rooting chamber online somewhere, I wish I could remember where so I could give them credit. I will keep you posted as to the status of the cutting and the progress they make.
Happy Growing!
Darren
Thursday, February 4, 2010
When Life Gives You Lemons
I recently have had a few questions concerning Lemons. They can be grown just like any other Citrus, except they are a little more susceptible to frost. Lemons and Limes are the least cold hardy and exhibit variable hardiness.
There is one Lemon that keeps cropping up in just about every conversation about Citrus...the Meyer Lemon.
The Meyer Lemon was introduced to the U.S. from China by the plant explorer Frank Meyer. There are many things that point to the Lemon parentage, lemon scented foliage, serrated leaves and purple tinged flower buds. The truth however is, it is not a true Lemon. It is a cross between a Lemon (probably Eureka) and a sweet orange. This is why it is considered a sweet lemon. I personally am not impressed with the Meyer Lemon's flavor, but to each his own. The fruit will initially turn yellow when ripe, but then go through deep yellow to almost orange. This lemon makes a good substitute for areas that can't grow the true Lemon.
This is a picture of some immature Meyers that I had, in containers of course.
If you want to try a good Lemon, yet have a little extra "flair" Then try the Variegated Eureka. (A.K.A. The Pink Lemonade Tree) Not only are the leaves variegated, but so is the fruit...at least until it ripens to a normal yellow.
These guys taste like a true Lemon and the pulp and juice are pink. The true Pink Lemonade Experience.
Another fun Lemon to grow is the Ponderosa Lemon. Fruit have been known to weigh up to 5 pounds. these things are huge. I am waiting for mine to fruit.
Want one? Go to:
http://www.logees.com/prodinfo.asp?number=C2005-2
These folks have other Citrus available and I have used them a number of times. The plants are slightly on the small side, but they most definitely grow well.
There are other unusual Lemons out there, Ichang and Ujukitsu just to name a couple. Do a Google search to try and find some of these.
Just as a side note, if for some reason you can not find a Lemon tree and don't want to pay for the shipping, I have a solution. Go Grocery Shopping!
Buy a Lemon or two and plant the seeds. You will have a nice tree and in about 5-6 years...fruit!
Happy Growing!
Darren
There is one Lemon that keeps cropping up in just about every conversation about Citrus...the Meyer Lemon.
The Meyer Lemon was introduced to the U.S. from China by the plant explorer Frank Meyer. There are many things that point to the Lemon parentage, lemon scented foliage, serrated leaves and purple tinged flower buds. The truth however is, it is not a true Lemon. It is a cross between a Lemon (probably Eureka) and a sweet orange. This is why it is considered a sweet lemon. I personally am not impressed with the Meyer Lemon's flavor, but to each his own. The fruit will initially turn yellow when ripe, but then go through deep yellow to almost orange. This lemon makes a good substitute for areas that can't grow the true Lemon.
This is a picture of some immature Meyers that I had, in containers of course.
If you want to try a good Lemon, yet have a little extra "flair" Then try the Variegated Eureka. (A.K.A. The Pink Lemonade Tree) Not only are the leaves variegated, but so is the fruit...at least until it ripens to a normal yellow.
These guys taste like a true Lemon and the pulp and juice are pink. The true Pink Lemonade Experience.
Another fun Lemon to grow is the Ponderosa Lemon. Fruit have been known to weigh up to 5 pounds. these things are huge. I am waiting for mine to fruit.
Want one? Go to:
http://www.logees.com/prodinfo.asp?number=C2005-2
These folks have other Citrus available and I have used them a number of times. The plants are slightly on the small side, but they most definitely grow well.
There are other unusual Lemons out there, Ichang and Ujukitsu just to name a couple. Do a Google search to try and find some of these.
Just as a side note, if for some reason you can not find a Lemon tree and don't want to pay for the shipping, I have a solution. Go Grocery Shopping!
Buy a Lemon or two and plant the seeds. You will have a nice tree and in about 5-6 years...fruit!
Happy Growing!
Darren
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Using Protection
With the temperature fluctuating up and down like it has, I have noticed a few things. Buds, both flower and leaf, starting to plump up.
This could be a good thing, Spring is coming early.
Or, it could also be a bad thing, the plants THINK it's Spring and a freeze will damage this flush of growth.
As long as a plant is dormant, very cold temperatures should not effect it. That is of course the plant is in a zone or so of it's normal range. Trying to grow Florida Anise in Canada may not be a good idea. I have mentioned before on this blog that Citrus can handle done to 28 degrees for a short period of time. As long as they have had a chance to go semi-dormant. Citrus really don't go fully dormant like a Maple for instance. They more or less acclimate themselves and brace for colder weather.
If the soil warms up and they flush new growth, that new growth is very susceptible to the cold.
These pictures are from some of my trees. I was pushing them along kind of hard with fertilizer and keeping them warm. We hit a low of 18 degrees and the heater in my hoop house couldn't keep up. The temperature only dropped to 30 degrees and this was the result:
The trees ended up being fine. I only lost about 3 inches on the tips of this one plant. It is a Cocktail Grapefruit. The overall effect was basically a little premature pruning.
Had I not been pushing it with fertilizer through the Winter, this would not have happened. I usually tend to push everything! This is why the general rule is, DON'T fertilize in Winter.
Well, back to my main point of this article. Flushes of new growth now.
If you are seeing new growth and also seeing Mr. Weatherperson predicting sub freezing temperatures, there are a couple of steps you can take. This will apply to any plant, not just Citrus.
Go up into Aunt Martha's attic and find a couple of sets of the old timey Christmas lights. You know, those great big ones that would melt your Christmas presents if they touched them. The new ones don't put off any heat, so they won't work.
Wrap a couple of strands around your plant and toss a sheet or plastic over it. Make sure you help prop it up with some wire cages or stakes so you don't break any branches off. You can also use a spotlight if you don't have the Christmas lights. You have just bought yourself a good 8-10 degrees. Just remember to remove the plastic in the morning so you don't have fried plant when the sun hits it.
Another idea, and this would take a little forethought. Get a couple of 55 gallon drums, metal or plastic, paint them black. Place a couple around your plant and fill with water. The barrel will absorb the sunlight and heat, and give it back throughout the night. The area will be a few degrees warmer and might be all you need to save your plant.
With a little effort, almost any plant can be grown anywhere. I still like container growing, but for those of you that want it all in the ground, I hope this gives you some ideas on how to....Use some protection!
Happy Growing!
Darren
This could be a good thing, Spring is coming early.
Or, it could also be a bad thing, the plants THINK it's Spring and a freeze will damage this flush of growth.
As long as a plant is dormant, very cold temperatures should not effect it. That is of course the plant is in a zone or so of it's normal range. Trying to grow Florida Anise in Canada may not be a good idea. I have mentioned before on this blog that Citrus can handle done to 28 degrees for a short period of time. As long as they have had a chance to go semi-dormant. Citrus really don't go fully dormant like a Maple for instance. They more or less acclimate themselves and brace for colder weather.
If the soil warms up and they flush new growth, that new growth is very susceptible to the cold.
These pictures are from some of my trees. I was pushing them along kind of hard with fertilizer and keeping them warm. We hit a low of 18 degrees and the heater in my hoop house couldn't keep up. The temperature only dropped to 30 degrees and this was the result:
The trees ended up being fine. I only lost about 3 inches on the tips of this one plant. It is a Cocktail Grapefruit. The overall effect was basically a little premature pruning.
Had I not been pushing it with fertilizer through the Winter, this would not have happened. I usually tend to push everything! This is why the general rule is, DON'T fertilize in Winter.
Well, back to my main point of this article. Flushes of new growth now.
If you are seeing new growth and also seeing Mr. Weatherperson predicting sub freezing temperatures, there are a couple of steps you can take. This will apply to any plant, not just Citrus.
Go up into Aunt Martha's attic and find a couple of sets of the old timey Christmas lights. You know, those great big ones that would melt your Christmas presents if they touched them. The new ones don't put off any heat, so they won't work.
Wrap a couple of strands around your plant and toss a sheet or plastic over it. Make sure you help prop it up with some wire cages or stakes so you don't break any branches off. You can also use a spotlight if you don't have the Christmas lights. You have just bought yourself a good 8-10 degrees. Just remember to remove the plastic in the morning so you don't have fried plant when the sun hits it.
Another idea, and this would take a little forethought. Get a couple of 55 gallon drums, metal or plastic, paint them black. Place a couple around your plant and fill with water. The barrel will absorb the sunlight and heat, and give it back throughout the night. The area will be a few degrees warmer and might be all you need to save your plant.
With a little effort, almost any plant can be grown anywhere. I still like container growing, but for those of you that want it all in the ground, I hope this gives you some ideas on how to....Use some protection!
Happy Growing!
Darren
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The Results are IN!!
Well, depending on where you live the groundhogs have good news or bad news for you.
The big one, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow.....six more weeks of Winter for those folks.
I should pause here for a second and ask a question: Where did all these other weather predicting varmints come from all of a sudden? You have Jimmy from Wisconsin, General Beauregard Lee (General Lee) from Georgia, Woodstock Willie from Illinois, Dunkirk Dave from N.Y., Buckeye Chuck from Ohio and Staten Island Chuck. The good news this group all predict an early Spring. I guess General Beauregard should be who it is I listen to?
Then you have, Malverne from N.Y., Wairton Willie from Ontario, Spanish Joe from Ontario, Shubenacadie Sam from Nova Scotia and Raleigh....This group says six more weeks of Winter. Should I believe Raleigh?
I know this for a fact, as I type this it is raining..AGAIN! As it stands right now, I have had 4.5 inches of rain in one week, and 9.25 inches since January 15th. I see more rain and more cold weather on the future tracker. The calendar says a little over 6 weeks until the official start of Spring. It can not nor will it get here too soon for me!!
I am going to use this nasty weather to take inventory of all my seeds I need to plant, browse through a catalog or two and dream about puttering around in the garden. I might even sow a few Tomato and Pepper seeds inside, just to make myself feel better.
I hope General Beauregard is right and Raleigh is wrong, I didn't see my shadow today....so I say, EARLY SPRING!!...so there!
Happy Growing!
Darren
The big one, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow.....six more weeks of Winter for those folks.
I should pause here for a second and ask a question: Where did all these other weather predicting varmints come from all of a sudden? You have Jimmy from Wisconsin, General Beauregard Lee (General Lee) from Georgia, Woodstock Willie from Illinois, Dunkirk Dave from N.Y., Buckeye Chuck from Ohio and Staten Island Chuck. The good news this group all predict an early Spring. I guess General Beauregard should be who it is I listen to?
Then you have, Malverne from N.Y., Wairton Willie from Ontario, Spanish Joe from Ontario, Shubenacadie Sam from Nova Scotia and Raleigh....This group says six more weeks of Winter. Should I believe Raleigh?
I know this for a fact, as I type this it is raining..AGAIN! As it stands right now, I have had 4.5 inches of rain in one week, and 9.25 inches since January 15th. I see more rain and more cold weather on the future tracker. The calendar says a little over 6 weeks until the official start of Spring. It can not nor will it get here too soon for me!!
I am going to use this nasty weather to take inventory of all my seeds I need to plant, browse through a catalog or two and dream about puttering around in the garden. I might even sow a few Tomato and Pepper seeds inside, just to make myself feel better.
I hope General Beauregard is right and Raleigh is wrong, I didn't see my shadow today....so I say, EARLY SPRING!!...so there!
Happy Growing!
Darren
Monday, February 1, 2010
Spring?
Here I am, The first day of February...thinking about a fuzzy little creature that better NOT see his shadow tomorrow! We have had enough cold and nasty weather for this Winter. My condolences to all the folks who live up north that may be reading this. I live in South Carolina......emphasize SOUTH!
The 12 nights of below freezing temps, the threat of snow and sleet, the seems like constant rain every other day, I have had enough Thank You very much!
Anyway, I trotted outside this morning to turn the heat off in the greenhouse for the day. We hit 27 again last night! And to stand my Avocado up. I have been laying it down and covering it with some sheets on very cold nights, in case you were wondering about that. It looks like the devil right now, but I believe it is still alive.
As I was walking back up the steps, to my right I noticed the Blueberry bushes.
Flower Buds!!? I was amazed that they were trying to flower now. I wonder if this is a good sign or a bad sign?
I looked around a little bit and then saw these:
My flowering Quince are doing just that!
Again, I thought is this a good sign or a bad sign?
Mother Nature taught me a very interesting lesson so far this Winter. She WILL take care of her own. She will also give us signs as to what may be coming our way. I told many people last Fall that we are going to have a bad Winter. There was an abundance of acorns falling from the oak tree and the holly bushes seemed to have more berries than usual. I even saw more woolly bear caterpillars than I think I had ever seen since living here. Coincidence? This has been a pretty nasty Winter and it's not over yet. I just hope that my Blueberries and Quince read the bulletin that Mother Nature sent out.
And as for that fuzzy little creature in Pennsylvania, If I hold an umbrella over him...will that count??!
Happy Growing!
Darren
The 12 nights of below freezing temps, the threat of snow and sleet, the seems like constant rain every other day, I have had enough Thank You very much!
Anyway, I trotted outside this morning to turn the heat off in the greenhouse for the day. We hit 27 again last night! And to stand my Avocado up. I have been laying it down and covering it with some sheets on very cold nights, in case you were wondering about that. It looks like the devil right now, but I believe it is still alive.
As I was walking back up the steps, to my right I noticed the Blueberry bushes.
Flower Buds!!? I was amazed that they were trying to flower now. I wonder if this is a good sign or a bad sign?
I looked around a little bit and then saw these:
My flowering Quince are doing just that!
Again, I thought is this a good sign or a bad sign?
Mother Nature taught me a very interesting lesson so far this Winter. She WILL take care of her own. She will also give us signs as to what may be coming our way. I told many people last Fall that we are going to have a bad Winter. There was an abundance of acorns falling from the oak tree and the holly bushes seemed to have more berries than usual. I even saw more woolly bear caterpillars than I think I had ever seen since living here. Coincidence? This has been a pretty nasty Winter and it's not over yet. I just hope that my Blueberries and Quince read the bulletin that Mother Nature sent out.
And as for that fuzzy little creature in Pennsylvania, If I hold an umbrella over him...will that count??!
Happy Growing!
Darren
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
