Citrus clementina (Clementine)

Citrus clementina (Clementine) is a medium-sized, evergreen tree prized for its medium-small to medium fruit that is sweet, juicy, and easy to peel. They can very easily be broken apart into 8 to 14 different segments. The flesh is deep orange, tender and melting, aromatic, and less acid than oranges. The seeds are very few to medium in number, depending on cross-pollination. If self-pollinated, the fruit is usually seedless. If cross-pollinated, the fruits become seedy. Highly ornamental, the tree is of moderate vigor with a round and somewhat spreading growth habit. The fine-stemmed branchlets are willowy and nearly thornless. The dense foliage is highly variable in size, narrowly lanceolate, and dark green. Citrus clementina is a tangor, a citrus fruit hybrid between a willow-leaf mandarin orange (C. × deliciosa) and a sweet orange (C. × sinensis). It is a distinctive type of mandarin and is noted for having a lower heat requirement than other mandarins, which means the tolerance to fruit maturity and sensitivity to unfavorable conditions during the flowering and fruit-setting period is higher. Whether planted in the ground or grown in a container, this early fruiting tree will reward you in winter with an excellent crop of juicy fruit rich in fiber, calcium, potassium, and vitamin C.

• Grows up to 8-12 ft. tall (240-360 cm) and 4-6 ft. wide (120-180 cm).
• A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in well-drained soils. Needs water regularly but cannot stand flooding or saturated soils. Water once every 1-2 weeks in spring and summer, once every 3 weeks in fall or winter.
• Thrives in warm climates and is hardy to 32 ºF (0ºC). Grow it indoors in a warm, sunny room and move it outdoors in late spring to a sunny spot protected from the wind.
• Prune to your desired size.
• No serious pest or disease issues.
• Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings and grafting.