Re: kumquats.....Jim S?

Noreen, let me know how the fruit comes out on your variegated Cara Cara, please. Blood oranges [I have a small seedling] do not seem to produce the rich red flesh [with the hint of raspberry] here like they do in California and Spain, so I'll be interested to know how they do in Texas.

I don't know why most citrus are grafted--I tend to think it's the result of the same logic that puts chrome strips on Buicks. But while I suspect that kumquat roots are just as suitable as trifoliate root stocks, I don't know that. I do know that in my yard, key lime, Palestine lime, Meyer's Improved lemon, and sweet lemon all grow on their own roots. I also believe that some cultivars--such as Noreen's Texas ruby red grapefruit--are probably too unstable for sexual reproduction and so grafting is the surest way to get a lot of them. [Incidentally, the TRRG is an excellent grapefruit, but my favorite is still the old, very seedy, white Duncan.]

On Feb 16, 2006, at 9:05 AM, TeichFlora@aol.com wrote:

I do, Chris, although I have to say.......out of all the citrus I have grown
or grow, these are the ones that have given me the most problems in the
past. I don't know if they are just more touchy or what......perhaps Jim S. can
give us a "how to". Most all the citrus are in bloom.....yeah!! Have a few
that need to be picked. Added some new varieties to the citrus area not
too long ago. One in particular I found interesting, a variegated Cara Cara
(Cara Cara is a blood orange, but had never seen one variegated), also got a
Texas Ruby Red Grapefruit on dwarf rootstock. Any particular growing tips on
these Jim??

Kumquats, like most sweeter citrus, are grafted, but many folks grow citrus
from seeds. Again, Jim would know more........if it would be worth a shot.

Noreen
zone 9
Texas Gulf COast


In a message dated 2/15/2006 11:02:30 PM Central Standard Time,
gardenchat-owner@hort.net writes:

Speaking of lemon seeds, anyone here grow kumquats? I've been munching
on a bunch that I bought at the grocery store and love them.

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Island Jim
Southwest Florida
27.0 N, 82.4 W
Hardiness Zone 10
Heat Zone 10
Minimum 30 F [-1 C]
Maximum 100 F [38 C]

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