Clementine Tangerine Tree

Clementine tangerine tree

It sounds too good to be true, but clementine trees are great houseplants that are fairly easy to care for. In fact, if you haven't grown citrus trees before, this is a great starter. Clementine trees are more durable and forgiving than their relatives. Plus, they grow just about the sweetest mandarins out there!

How do you take care of a clementine tree?

Plant Care

Sunlight. Likes full sun — needs at least six hours a day of direct sunlight.
Watering. Clementines like moist soil. Water whenever the top two inches of soil are dry.
Fertilizing. Feed every other month with a balanced fertilizer formulated for citrus trees.

Where do clementine trees grow?

Clementine trees are recommended for growing zones 8 through 11 and are cold hardy down to about 20 degrees. 7. If you live in an area that gets colder than 20 degrees, plant your trees in containers and bring them indoors when it gets cold. These trees do extremely well in pots and indoors.

How big does a clementine mandarin tree get?

Mature height is 8'–12', but can be pruned to suit in ground or in containers. Choose a sunny location, in well drained soil, sheltered from wind. They are affected by freezing temperatures, and in many locales require frost protection. Trees should start to produce fruit around the third year.

Do I need 2 clementine trees?

Are they self-pollinating? Yes. You only need one clementine tree to get an abundant crop of fruit.

What two fruits make a clementine?

The clementine (Citrus × clementina) is a smaller and seedless variety of mandarin that was cultivated by Clément Rodier, a French missionary in Algeria (for whom the fruit was named). It's actually a hybrid of a Mediterranean willowleaf mandarin orange (C. × deliciosa) and a sweet orange (C. × sinensis).

Are clementines self pollinating?

Nules Clementine Tree Pollination Nules Clementine Trees are self-fertile. You will get fruit with only one plant.

How long does a clementine tree live?

The average lifespan of a citrus tree is approximately 50 years. This age applies to both standard size and dwarf citrus. Trees begin producing fruits sometime during their second through fifth growing season, and continue to produce fruit throughout their lifespan. Healthy foliage is an indicator of fruit production.

How cold can a clementine tree tolerate?

Freezing weather, however, damages the fruit at 26 to 30 degrees. Young trees are also damaged and may die during frosts, while mature trees are known to have survived for 10 hours in temperatures below 25 degrees.

What month are clementines in season?

This small citrus fruits come and go in markets in December and January.

How do you take care of a clementine tree in the winter?

Locate a potted clementine tree outdoors in full sun during the warmer months when the temperature consistently stays above 40 F with no threat of frost. During the fall and winter, bring the tree indoors. Place it near a southern-facing window, and mist with water every day to keep the leaves moist.

What time of year are clementines best?

As with many things in life, timing is everything when it comes to buying clementines. They reach peak season, and are at the top of their game in terms of flavor, from December through February.

How many years does it take for a tangerine tree to bear fruit?

Always move your plants indoors and outdoors gradually, or the plant will go into shock and lose leaves. As the trees grow, they need to be re-potted every three to four years. Your Tangerine tree will take about three to four years to bear fruit.

How much room does a tangerine tree need?

Tangerine trees average about 10′-15′ tall and about as wide. You can plant them about 10′ to 15′ apart.

Where is the best place to plant a mandarin tree?

Pick a sunny, warm, sheltered position, preferably one that is protected from winter frost or you're going to need frost cloth to protect them. If you're on clay, consider either growing in containers, or create raised beds of soil out of compost and other well-rotted organic material.

How long do tangerine trees live?

The trees have a tendency toward alternate bearing (producing a fruit crop every other year as a way of conserving energy). The trees can grow 20-‐30 feet in height and live for more than 50 years. In general, citrus are hardy to 23ºF-‐26ºF, though mandarins are slightly more cold tolerant than other citrus.

Why are clementines only available in winter?

They are not actual varieties. Different varieties of these citrus fruits ripen at different times between November and April and are marketed as “Cuties” and “Halos”. Winter is the normal ripening period for citrus in California so that's when you see them on grocery shelves.

What is the best clementine variety?

FINA CLEMENTINE The juicy fruit has a rich, sweet taste and few seeds, and is well known as one of the best eating quality Clementines.

Are halos clementines or tangerines?

Clementines tend to be slightly more oval in shape than tangerines, with a flat spot on the top and bottom. You often find them sold in packages and labeled as “Halos” or “Cuties.” However, these are marketing names, not varieties.

Are cuties clementines or tangerines?

Q: What is a CUTIE®? A: CUTIES® are actually two varieties of mandarins: Clementine mandarins, available November through January; and W. Murcott mandarins, available February through April. CUTIES® have several distinct characteristics that make them the perfect anytime, anywhere snack.