Re: "Mediterranean Mandarin" source
- Subject: Re: "Mediterranean Mandarin" source
- From: O* W*
- Date: Sun, 09 Dec 2001 21:53:46 +1300
Mandarine grow at my place which is not very different to Moira's. The
trees were well established when we bought the place. There are 2 trees
which take it in turn. They ripen well. We tend to be dry here, but my
place has a high water table, and our citrus do better than other people
in the area. An organic reseller is taking our lemons because we have
some of the best around after a prolonged dry spell (shich vanished 2
months ago, and we've had a year's rain since).
Tony & Moira Ryan wrote:
>
> Joe Seals wrote:
> >
> > I'm looking for something known, variously, as
> > "Mediterranean Mandarin", "Willow-leaf", or "China
> > Mandarin'. The most specific name I've found is
> > Citrus reticulata 'Willow-leaf'.
>
> Joe
> I looked up C. reticulata in my local Botanica and they have this to
> say:-
>
> Mandarine, Tangerine
> This, the most varied Citrus species, has a wide range of climate
> tolerence among its varieties, some of which can survive an occasional
> light frost. Growing to 12-20 feet or so high, it is a good fruit tree
> for the suburban garden. Similar to oranges, the fruit are smaller and
> looser skinned. It is slow-growing and has heavily-perfumed flowers.
> Zones 9-11.
> There is no mention of any particular variety by name..
>
> Too tender for my garden, it is found occasionally in the neighburing
> Hutt Valley, but is chancy to ripen there and much more successful in
> slightly warmer areas where it is quite common as a garden tree. If they
> get enough warmth the fruits are very pleasant and sweet.
>
> Even where the fruit does not ripen to sweetness, it can anyway look
> very decorative.
>
> Another book confirms this species is native to south China. It has
> yellow and red skinned varieties. In some countries the red skinned
> kinds are known as Tangarines.
>
> I cannot of course suggest a local source in your area, but hope some of
> this informtion will help you to track it down.
>
> Moira
> --
> Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
> Wainuiomata, New Zealand, SW Pacific. 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Time
