Conestoga 006 Citrange

Conestoga 006 is a cold-hardy seedling selection of C-35 citrange raised by “kumin” in southeastern Pennsylvania. The breeder describes the Conestoga series as F2 progeny, but explicitly states that the pollen parent of the original seed lot was not confirmed. The displayed 50% sweet orange and 50% Poncirus ancestry is a parent-based estimate, not a genetic measurement of 006.^⁠[4]⁠[5]

The trial began in 2018 with more than 20,000 seedlings, selected primarily for winter hardiness and then fruit quality. Seeds were sown on April 12th and seedlings planted outdoors on June 12th. After the severe first winter, 69 survivors were retained for further evaluation. The Conestoga name refers to the river near the breeder’s property.^{⁠[6]⁠[7]⁠[8]⁠[9]⁠[10]}

The breeder describes 006 as deciduous and reports that it grows well on its own roots. Its first flower was recorded in April 2022, at about four years old, but lacked a pistil. Fruit set followed in 2023. These early observations do not establish a fixed flowering age or permanent female sterility.^{⁠[11]⁠[2]⁠[12]⁠[13]}

In the breeder’s January 2025 trial, 006 sustained only very minor damage to its latest growth after a reported low of −8°F (−22.2°C). It was also among the best-performing selections after the windy 2°F (−16.7°C) cold event of winter 2022–2023. These are observations from particular plants and growing conditions, not guaranteed survival temperatures.^{⁠[1]⁠[14]}

Conestoga 006 ripens ahead of 010 and 026 in the breeder’s collection and was described as very productive in an October 8th, 2025 report. Its fruit was highly acidic, with an earthy flavor and bitterness; the breeder preferred 010 and 026. The Mulberries’ separate tasting found small, very seedy fruit with low sweetness, very sour juice and a piney aftertaste. Processing into juice or jelly was suggested, while fresh-eating quality was poor.^{⁠[15]⁠[3]⁠[16]}