U.S. 119 Citrus
Selected for virus resistance and cold hardiness, U.S. 119 Citrus is a very exciting and promising cold hardy citrus for northern growers. With half its parentage consisting of an acidless sweet orange and the other half consisting of Dunstan Citrumelo and a very vigorous trifoliate orange named Gotha Road, U.S. 119 is a very tasty fresh eating citrus with a sugary sweet orange flavor balanced with the acid and bitterness of the Citrumelo and trifoliate orange.
We are growing these on their own roots as they seem to be plenty disease resistant on their own, slow down their growth in fall, and if hard frost does damage the plant we’d prefer to have U.S. 119 growing back from the roots rather than a rootstock.
Click here to view our Citrus Growing Guide.
Latin Name: (C. paradisi `Duncan’ × C. trifoliata `Gotha Road’) × C. sinensis `Succory’
Site and Soil: In spring, summer and fall, keep your potted Citrus in a location with 1/2 day to full sun. In the winter, place your plant in a well-lit room. Potting soil should be coarse, acidic, and well-drained.
Rootstock Description: Self-rooted
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile. You can help it set fruit by taking a small brush and moving pollen from flower to flower.
Hardiness: So far they’ve been hardy here in Zone 8b, we’re hoping down to 10° F.
Bearing Age: 1-2 years after planting
Size at Maturity: 6-8 ft.
Taste: Sugary sweet flavor balanced with acid/bitterness
Fruit Skin: Yellowish-orange, green
Fruit Flesh: Yellowish-orange
Bloom Time: Winter and spring
Ripening Time: Fall into winter
Yield: 20+ fruit
Care: Fertilize with citrus mix 3-4 times per year with typical applications in late winter (Jan-Feb), late spring (May-June) and early fall (Sept-Oct).
Pests & Diseases: While outside, Citrus plants will likely not be bothered by insect pests. Be on the lookout for slugs. Indoors, Citrus can have mites and/or aphids. Watch carefully for any problems and treat with an insecticidal soap or wash them off. We have not seen any disease problems on our Citrus plants.
USDA Zone: 8b