NEW COLUMN- GARDENING AROUND THE HOUSE

3/17/2010

Gardening Around The House
Joseph Frank Baraba

I know everyone loves plants, indoors and outdoors. Have
I got one for you. It's easy to grow, has fragrant flowers
and miniature oranges.


Calamondin Miniature Orange Tree
Click on photo to enlarge.



The Calamondin miniature Orange Tree grows no more than two to
three feet indoors, outdoors in ground it can reach ten feet tall.It
originates from China and Indonesia. It's a hybrid between a
Manadarin Orange and a Kumquat. It loves sun, not harsh sun. The
Calamondin in the photo I bought from a nursery in a 5 gallon pot.
My tree grows in front of a large window in my livingroom, if you buy
a one gallon size tree it can sit on a window sill. Water once a week
when the soil is slightly dry to the touch. Every two to three weeks
after you water it, feed it with water soluable fertilizer 20-20-20,
Citrus love nitrogen. Use 1/2 teaspoon in a gallon of water, water
it once and save the rest for another time, don't over fertilize. I
found a great source that sells a one gallon size Calamondin Orange:

http://www.onegreenworld.com
Until my next garden column, enjoy your plants.....

Here's the page for Calamondin Miniature Orange Tree at
One Green World.

http://www.onegreenworld.com//product_info.php?cPath=1_25&products_id=3058

I give this plant :

Cheers...Joe...

Joe, how would this plant do in Zone 7b?

Ann

3/17/2010



Ann..

It would do great outdoors, if you have severe sun, put it in the shade or a half a day of sun. It
does great indoors in front of a sunny window, here in
Santa Fe the sun can get very strong in the Summer it's
7,500 feet altitude, so I have semi sheer drapes, works
well, if you get one let me know.. How is the weather in
San Antonio ?


Cheers..Joe

AHHHHHaaaa!

I have found it! Your Garden Forum, that is.

I saw a Calamondin in the Home Depot this week. It was full of flower buds.

I am so lucky to live where these plants can be planted out in the yard and covered for freezes and frosts. What beautiful trees they are. I have a Myers Lemon that is covered in pink flowers and a key lime, also covered in blooms, a naval, Honey Mergot, several dozen parson browns, a tangerine, and so many kinds of fruit growing here that I just give it away to the people who come by and ask if they can have some.

I know that where you live you must grow them in pots.

What a wonder this world is, from fungi to trees, all are beautiful and have a space in the order of the universie.

Joe, you take such lovely pictures. I hope you put some here.

Perhaps a photographer's page would be nice. I would love thatl

Love,
Betty

Betty, so glad you found your way.

Joe, it rained this morning, but the sun came out around 2 pm. We have been having glorious weather. mid-40's early morning to low 60's mid afternoon. Mostly sunny, with a few morning showers.

I have to admit to the two of you: I have the world's brownest thumb. I manage to keep a few herb pots going - I moved them back to the patio over the weekend. They have been wintering on the inside of the glass-paned doors at the back of my house. Hopefully we will not have a late freeze at this point, but I should say a quick prayer so I won't jinx things by daring to say so. Such weird weather we are having everywhere.

I had some citrus bushes on my patio in Houston. I have not tried them here. I would love a Myer Lemon.

I do better with stuff in pots than in the ground. The Mexican petunias that were taking over the back right side of my little yard were hit by three successive hard freezes. I wish I had a machete. It would do a much faster job of pulling and cutting the dead stalks - of course, knowing me, I would likely take a foot with it.

I am looking forward to tips and answers from THK (those who know)

Ann

3/17/2010


Betty..

You should have bought the Calamondin
when you saw it...I'm sure it was at a good price?


Ann..

The site I lsited in the article sells Meyer
Lemons, they can be grown in pots, as long as you
give them love and Sun...I will check out the
Mexican Petunias for you..

Cheers..Joe

Great Thread ,


Joe. I used to grow huge pumpkins, but can't anymore. I will have to try some of your ideas.

3/17/2010

Alice..

Thanks for coming, everyone else is
ignoring this page, my next column will be on
Ivy Geraniums...

Cheers..Joe

Dear Joe,
Perhaps you could give advice about what to do with plants after they have frozen. I know that some some back, given time, and some just look like tumbleweeds for months before they do. I like Ivy gerenaiums, too. I like the scented ones, as well. The humidity in Florida gives them a very short season before they turn to ooey gooy black stuff.


I planted red petunia and purple pansy in my patio boxes for this spring. They do not freeze so easily.

I wish you well with this column. I can see it as an advice book if you keep all of the post posted.

Love,
Betty

I have about ten houseplants. My husband waters them now and they are thriving under his care. Most I've had for years and a couple for decades.

This is a good column, Joe.

Good idea.

Carol

3/18/2010

Betty..

To me if a plant gets frozen, I chuck it.

Carol...


Thank you and I look forward to the e
mails I get from you, keep up the faith. Your
husband is a great man, what kind of plants do
you have ?

I wish we could all get together, oh the fun
we would have...

Cheers..Joe