Orange, Bitter (Poncirus trifoliata), packet of 5 seeds, organic [INTL NO]
$4.95
Family: Citrus (Rutaceae)
Hardy to Zones 6-9.
(Bitter Orange, Hardy Orange, Trifoliate Orange, Japanese Orange) Thorny deciduous shrub growing to 9 feet tall, native to E. Asia, China and Korea. The plants grows well in full sun to part shade, preferring loose, sandy soils of medium moisture and tolerant of both acidic and alkaline pH. This is the most cold-hardy of all the fruit-bearing citrus trees. We use the juice of the oranges just as one would use lemon, for making lemon-tahini dressing for our salads. The fruits ripen very late in the year, and our first harvest generally occurs around Halloween. Dried peel of bitter orange is an ingredient in many herbal teas and makes a consummate after-dinner aperitif. Traditional use of dried bitter orange peel (TCM, TWM): Aromatic digestive bitter. Bitter orange is extraordinarily thorny and makes an ornamental and very effective barrier hedge. The plant is also used as rootstock for grafting oranges, lemons and limes, conferring cold and disease resistance. Cultivation: Seeds need 4 weeks in cold soils or in refrigeration prior to germination in warm soils. We refrigerate the seed after harvest and sell stratified seed that can be sown in the warm greenhouse or refrigerator stored until being sown in the warm greenhouse or in the spring garden. Allow seedlings to grow on until large enough to individuate, then pot up to larger pots and grow for a year before transplanting to landscape. We supply only fresh, stratified seeds from our own harvest.
5 seeds per packet, certified organically grown
In stock
Question
Adrielle –
How long from seed to fruit? Is it the standard 5-7 years of many fruit trees?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Adrielle, Yes, I think its the standard 5-7 years. Mine are in flower right now.
Richo
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carol –
How cold-hardy i.e. what zone are they likely to survive-thrive in? And if one is allergic to pollen from one citrus variety, does that suggest likelihood of developing allergy to its cousins?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Carol,
Thanks for contacting. If you click on the picture then the monograph comes up, and that gives you the zone assignation–Hardy to Zones 6-9. As for allergenic responses, I suppose if there is an acute allergy to citrus then it could be a problem. Here, we have a nice stand of these and lots of people have come by to sniff the flowers–I’ve heard no complaints.
Richo
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Admin Richo Cech –
https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com/product/orange-bitter-poncirus-trifoliata-potted_tree_organic/
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Tim, Certified organically grown bitter orange trees are currently available and on sale. I don’t know if there will be any left in the spring. Here’s the link https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com/product/orange-bitter-poncirus-trifoliata-potted_tree_organic/
Richo
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