Re: kumquats.....Jim S?

Interesting, Auralie. Kumquats likely do have greater cold tolerance than most citrus. They are in the same family as citrus, Rutaceae, but a different species, Fortunella. I've also heard [but can't verify] that they grow in parts of Korea.


On Feb 16, 2006, at 2:06 PM, Aplfgcnys@aol.com wrote:

For what it's worth, which may not be much, when I was growing
up in the Florida panhandle - considerably north of Jim - I knew
several large kumquat trees (I knew practically every tree and
shrub in town).  Have no idea what cultivar, but they were very
tasty, and apparently quite hardy.  They were the only citrus
trees in the area - I assume because the climate is just too
cold for them. We regularly had several freezing days and
nights in a row each winter.  I seriously doubt that these were
grafted or any special cultivars.  People didn't go in for that
sort of thing at that time and place.
Auralie

In a message dated 02/16/2006 1:53:50 PM Eastern Standard Time,
islandjim1@verizon.net writes:
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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