I started my new citrus in-ground planting project in May 2020.I planted 7 citrus trees on the south side of my house right next to my brick wall in zone 7a, Springfield, VA. The planing area is only 12ft.x8ft. So you can call it ultra high density planting. I build a frame to cover it up from December to April and ler it open the rest of the year. I planted Owari Satsuma, Blood orange, Navel orange, Ruby red grapefruit, Nagami kumquat and 2 Clementines trees. I plan to keep temperature at 32f at minimum. So far, no heat needed for the year…I also have a similar set up 10ft away for my tropical fruit trees and that one is over 10 years old now,still going, at 12ft.x 20ft. With 18 tropical fruit trees.
Looking great. What are the minimum temperatures in your tropical greenhouse?
I see your guava and mango are both in-ground. What about the soil temperature? Are you using heating cables? I would imagine the ground should be way colder than the air, especially on the sides. I am surprised your trees thrive like that, especially the mango tree.
Excellent stuff! I’m curious about a couple things. You say no heat needed yet. What has been your low temperature? And what is the glazing on those greenhouses? Is it solexx?
Paul- the minimum in the greenhouse is 40F even outside temperature drops to 0F here sometime… Never worry about air temperature, I found it’s the air temperature that would kill my trees.I used to use heating cables but they fried all my trees.My large guava tree is 11 years old and 16 ft tall by November every year, I then cut it back to about 10ft.My Coconut cream mango tree is 6 years old and 12ft high.
GeorgiaGent- I have not use the heater in the Citrus greenhouse this year yet, lowest outside temperature was 20F and inside was 36F at that time. I plan on turn on the heat only if outside temperature in the teens, this would keep the inside at minimum 35F.Yes, I am using solexx which I remove the top and sides from April to December and only cover from Dec. to April.
I must be doing something wrong. I planted my citrus along the road where it is impossible to cover them. So far, they are doing just fine with the cold weather we’ve had. We brought the tender lemon trees indoors.
My coconut cream doesn’t produce much so far. 4 fruits 2 years ago and 6 fruits last year. I am hoping it will produce a lots of fruits this year since it’s much mature now.
Citrus is known to produce well in colder climates but I’m curious about things like mangoes, sapodilla, and atemoya. I’d like to try them but not sure if worth it production wise. Your guava produces well but like citrus it’s a known entity.
I am in Virginia Beach and, like you, planted some in-ground citrus trees. I just planted them this fall after having them in large pots. I didn’t expect the snow we got in December, since we usually don’t get any. I need to construct a winter shelter. I really like the look of yours. What materials did you use to construct your removable shelter and from where did you purchase them?
@chien8
Very impressive. Actually I have been following your videos on Youtube for a year now. Did not know it was you. Nice job! Hope someday we can meet. I am in Fairfax. Not too far.
You should do better than me in Virginia Beach. There is a guy near you successfully growing citrus. I am using emt pipes from Homdepot for frame and Solexx,3mil. for coverings.
