this past year, i planted a kumquat as marginal plant in 8a. it was hilled by a horible set of freezez in the winter of last year. it is appx. 1.5' and growing do yall think i could let it fend for itself this winter, or hould i dig it up? i need response by mon. afternoon
??????kumquat kwestion??????
Unless you have a mild winter, you definitely can't let it fend for itself, you should either put it in a container or be prepared to protect it if you get a freeze again this winter.
Long term, do you think you want it planted in the ground, or would you be happy with it in a container? If you want it in the ground for the long-term, you might consider leaving it where it is but be prepared to cover/protect it with something if you're expecting a freeze. Its roots are probably pretty good and getting well established even if the top got frozen last winter, so I would hate to have you dig it up and then plant it again in the spring, then you've wasted that year of root development. But it's always going to be marginally hardy for you, so if you don't want the trouble of every winter having to protect it if you get a bad freeze, then a container might be an easier way to go.
i planted it before i moved away, because i was planning on protecting it for them, and it is at my g-parents' house, so i dont think theyd be up to protecting it every freeze. i guess just dig it up, as they dont really need another poted plant. i'll c if i can take it back to the lowcountry with me, where it would be happy
If your grandparents live in Lexington it will surely need protection; isn't it great that it came back at all. Down here you can grow them in the ground and they will do very well. The only thing I have noticed is that when you plant citrus here they take a few years to bear well again. They look healthy they just don't have a lot of fruit the first year or two after planting. The ones I have left (outdoors) in containers seem to bear very well but the fruit is not very large.
There is a great fellow in Port Royal who grows and sells all sorts of citrus. There will be a citrus workshop at his GH on the first Monday in November. It will be during the morning and you will likely be in school but if you happen to have a holiday then let me know and I will get you the particulars.
thanks... we just got this because it had been told us that many people had success growing these w/ no protection. but i think that meant whith christmas lights on cold nights. oh well... now im gonna dig it up and plant it at my house