New Hardy Citrus Hybrids! Tri-clem-yuz and Tri-chang Lemon

[@Hydreii]

Very cool plants ! I totally agree about crossing ichang papeda types with trifoliate types. They seem to neutralize each other's downsides somewhat, like trifoliate influence. In Europe we've already had some interesting results... Tri-Voss n°1 was said to be a poncirus x ichangensis cross, but now many believe it's actually a citrumelo x ichangensis. The fruits are small and seedy, but juicy and supposedly without trifoliate influence at all. It was said to be hardy to -18°C (0F) but many people even in 8a lost theirs to the cold, saying it's less cold tolerant than ichangensis. Mine survived two rather harsh winters, going down below -13°C (8F), frozen ground and temperatures not rising above freezing for close to three weeks. Aside from slight yellowing of leaves and stems, it had no damage at all. And it's planted in the middle of a field, quite exposed to the wind. I got some blooms on it, but no fruit yet, so I can't confirm its quality. I'm not sure it is present in the US yet. Yuzu x Citrumelo is quite rare in Europe still, I got mine a year ago and protected it for its first winter. It did great and was completely undamaged at -8°C (17F), it looked very healthy and grew vigorously in spring. It supposedly has fruits larger and juicier than yuzu, with less seeds and no trifoliate influence, but less fragrance than yuzu. There's limited info on it still, so hard to say if this is accurate. It supposedly survives down to -17°C (1F), which wouldn't surprise me. I believe some people in the US have it, but I'm not certain. Ichangstar is another interesting cross between 5Star Citrumelo and a cold hardier ichang papeda. Supposedly hardy to -18°C (0F), it was barely damaged in the breeder's garden in over a dozen years... But it's still quite new and rare, so few people have it. Out of the few seedlings that fruited, some seem quite promising, with good aroma and no trifoliate influence. All but one seem to be bitter from what I've read. Hopefully I'll get my hands on that non-bitter one soon. Keraji mandarin apparently has some ichangensis ancestry too. The same breeder made a 5Star x keraji cross, and one of his seedlings makes sweet fruits with no trifoliate influence. It's probably not nearly as cold tolerant as ichangstar though. Maybe a bit less hardy than a yuzu ? That's still amazing results. I'm fairly certain you're aware of these crosses already, I've seen you in the forums. But anyone reading might be interested... Personnally, I'd like to make a Poncirus x ichangensis cross to get something with maximized cold hardiness and diminished trifoliate traits. It could then be used to cross with sweet citrus, probably with interesting results. My dream is sweet citrus with yuzu-like hardiness ! Hopefully your trees will have decent fruit quality and good hardiness ! They could become great parents for further breeding.

[@themulberries]

@@Hydreii Thank you! I agree they could be very useful for future breeding once they mature. Tri-Voes n°1 is definitely an interesting variety, I'm actually not sure if many of these are available in the US, but I would love to acquire and test them!

[@Hydreii]

@themulberries I'm not sure whether they come true from seed or not, but hopefully they do ! It'll be easier to import them that way. Unfortunately I'm probably going to need a few more years to be able to supply a good amount of seeds.

[@themulberries]

@@Hydreii Fingers crossed! Even if they're not true, the F2 seedlings might still be useful.

[@MichaelRay380]

@@Hydreiithere is a poncirus selection with low bitterness if you weren’t aware called poncirus+, and there may be even more low bitterness selections I’m unaware of. It might be useful for you in your breeding journey.

[@Hydreii]

@MichaelRay380 Yes, I'm aware of it ! Low bitterness and no resin, sounds great. I just received some rootstocks today, hopefully I'll be able to get some poncirus+ scions in spring. I already have ichang papedas and yuzus to breed it with, along with some sweet citrus in pots, and pomelo pollen in the freezer. Thanks for your kind words ! Best of luck to you too, if you plan on breeding as well !

[@joman104]

Wonderful. A yuzu x 942 cross might be excellent.

[@themulberries]

Definitely, that cross could bring out the best of both worlds!

[@farleyschmackums]

Agree!!

[@kathleenebsen2659]

I’m thrilled that you will be up to the challenge to breed new cold Hardy hybrids! It will be an adventure!

[@themulberries]

@@kathleenebsen2659 It sure will! I can't wait to see how these all end up in the future.

[@quinnM1007]

Great work man!

[@themulberries]

Thank you!

[@jphollister8368]

Love the 🎉 content. If you've got seeds, I'd like to buy them from you! 👏🏼

[@themulberries]

@@jphollister8368 Thank you! No seeds for several more years at least, but I'll be rooting cuttings and offering them for sale next year.

[@mflbikes1870]

Awesome crosses keep up the good work

[@themulberries]

@@mflbikes1870 Thanks! Going to pump out as many as I can and may luck be in our favor.

[@doggiefamily908]

Do your pots have bottoms? Just wondering if you would consider these to be potted or in ground. And do you think if they were fully in the ground , would the results be different?

[@themulberries]

@@doggiefamily908 No bottoms but because they are fabric the roots do still penetrate. I would consider them in-ground but root-restricted, however I wouldn't expect much different results if these were planted permanently.

[@brianbaumann1337]

Would love to give one of those a try up here in NJ 7b

[@themulberries]

@@brianbaumann1337 Definitely! Tri-clem-yuz shows a lot of potential, I hope Tri-chang lemon performs similarly.

[@CJDykes]

Will you be selling any of these new hardy hybrid crosses?

[@themulberries]

Yes, I will have more availability as these trees mature, but I should have a handful of the hardiest selections this coming Spring/Summer!

[@CJDykes]

@themulberries, keep me in mind to try them in my Cary, NC garden

[@themulberries]

@CJDykes Will do!

[@BrokeFarmer]

What do you fertilize with

[@themulberries]

@@BrokeFarmer Usually either Madison Citrus Nursery's 13-6-6 or Jack's Citrus Feed 20-10-20.