Question
Hi Nick,

I live in northern Colorado, northeast of Denver. Have had three calamondin plants in pots growing nicely indoors. Nice day on Sunday around 70-85 degrees so I put them protected beside the house in our covered patio. Then it rained hard yesterday and then it snowed!! overnight. We got an inch or so. My husband does not think that it was below freezing overnight. Will they die? How cold-hardy are they?

Thanks Gelerie

Answer
Hi Gelerie, Citrus are not cold hardy,but can take brief stints of below freezing weather, as long as it doesn't linger (several days..#; the snow itself shouldn't be a problem, as long as it wasn't a wet freezing snow #fluffy instead#. Contained plants however are more susceptible to cold , because of the limited insulation around the roots #in opposed to ground planted..#; if it sheds its leaves, don't panic #yet!), it may just be shocked, and thats the way it reacts to a drastic change in environmental issues. If it does though, then check the cambium layer daily, by scratching the bark near the bottom of the main trunk, it should show green, if so, then it will send out new growth once it recuperates. If it does shed its leaves, don't water! for a plant can't take up water or nutrients without leaves, and the roots may very well rot with the water adjacent to them. Once new growth commences, then water properly. Nick