Will normally seedless citrus become seedy when planted amongst other self fertile citrus. I am excluding the known pollinators from this equation so please assume none of the trees require a pollinator.

Truly seedless varieties, will remain seedless when planted among other varieties. . Some varieties such as Clementine that are seedless when grown in a block of only Clementine trees, will be seeded when grown in mix groves. - Millet (783-)

If by truly seedless you mean even one seed is unacceptable, then 'Tahiti' (a.k.a. Bearrs, Persian) lime is pretty much the complete list.

That's about to change, though. Citrus breeders are breeding triploid varieties of orange and mandarin, that should be completely seedless as well. I'm not aware that any of them is yet on the market, at least in Florida, and don't recall hearing of any currently available in California either.

Dr. Manners, what about some of the Satsumas? Growing in a large greenhouse on our property, that was originally used for the production of starts to be transplanted in the fields, but no longer, as we now grow 100% wheat, I have eight varieties of Satsumas growing along side many seeded citrus varieties. None (as in not one) of the Satsumas has ever produced seeds - not even one seed. Would not these also be considered as truly seedless? - Millet (782-)

Millet, My experience with Satsumas has been entirely with 'Owari', outdoors, in the presence of many other species. In that case, it averages probably less than one seed per fruit, but one does frequently find a seed or even two, in individual fruits.

As for breeding -- you cross a tetraploid with a diploid. Yes, that's a dead-end, like a mule. But you select for good fruit quality from that first generation. Of course you also have to select for strong parthenocarpy (the ability to produce fruit without seed).

Dr. Manners, thanks for your response. Satsumas in Dr. Manners location produce on average less than 1 seed per fruit when growing in mixed citrus varieties. In my greenhouse, I have never come across a seed in any of my Satsumas. NOTE: During the summer months my greenhouse is kept wide open, and bees can be seen coming and going, at all other times of the year the vents are open during the day. As far as Darkman intentions of growing seedless fruit, even when growing mixed with seeded varieties, I would put all Satsumas in that category. Millet (782-)

Satsumas varieties In my greenhouse are:

Xie Shan (two trees --- produce the best fruit of all my Satsumas
BC-1 (very sweet)
BC-2
Myagawa
Owari
Silverhills
Kimbrough
Miho

I have a Kishu mandarin and have yet to find a seed in a fruit. I think Stan's is seedless too.

Ned

I have never found a seed in my Kishu. One fruit is only a good delicious mouth full.

The Brown Select satsuma fruit here have at least a few seeds some have 5 to 10 seeds.

Changsha mandarin has lots of seeds! I am not growing any Changsha now, but back in the 1990s I got a box of Changsha mandarins and the fruit was VERY sweet and good flavor but there were many seeds. Some fruit had more than two seeds in each segment!

I think the Changsha is the best tasting mandarin but some people do not like fruit with too many seeds.