Conestoga 011 Citrange

Conestoga 011 is a seedling selection of C-35 citrange from “kumin”’s cold-hardiness trial in southeastern Pennsylvania. The breeder calls the series F2 progeny but states that the seed lot’s pollen parent was not confirmed. Its displayed 50% sweet orange and 50% Poncirus ancestry is a parent-based estimate, not a genetic measurement of this selection.^⁠[3]⁠[4]

Conestoga 011’s tetraploidy was confirmed by a Lifeasible flow-cytometry report dated September 2nd, 2021, posted by the breeder that day. The report lists sample LF01-M-210821005618 at 1.43 Gb nuclear DNA content and the diploid control at 798 Mb. This is a ploidy assessment, not a chromosome count, ancestry test or proof of crossing success.^⁠[5]

The breeder describes 011 as deciduous, with strong open branches, wavy-edged leaves and frequent twin thorns. A first flower examined in October 2023 lacked a pistil; spring 2024 flowers subsequently had prominent pistils. Fruit was tasted while immature in September 2024. These observations show a transition into reproduction rather than permanent female sterility.^{⁠[6]⁠[7]⁠[8]⁠[9]}

Early trials placed 011 among the hardiest Conestoga selections. After the windy 2°F (−16.7°C) event of winter 2022–2023, it showed a little damage on late growth, similar to Poncirus in that inspection. In January 2025, however, −8°F (−22.2°C) was followed by moderate to severe damage, while 006, 010 and 026 were much less injured. Hardiness depends on the plant, exposure and season.^{⁠[10]⁠[1]}

In the breeder’s September 2024 immature-fruit tasting, 011 ranked between the less-favored 006 and the preferred 010 and 026. This does not establish ripe-fruit quality or measured sweetness, acidity or seed count. In March 2026 the breeder reported very uniform seedlings and inferred a high nucellar proportion, without a counted sample or genetic test. Its possible use in triploid breeding remains a proposal, not a demonstrated outcome.^{⁠[9]⁠[2]⁠[11]}