I have been looking for a Pixie tangerine for a long time. Visiting Cal State Channel Islands university this weekend, I walked into a local HD and found a Dwarf Pixie, I was excited. Almost bought it. ALMOST.

On the tag it clearly states: "Produces large crops every other year"

I don't want a tree that produces every other year.

Is this the nature of Pixies? Or could it be related to the rootstock?


I would really prefer to have a semi dwarf or standard tree. Pixies are planed commercially in Ojai, which in near me and those (+/- 10 year old) tress are actually quite small - under 10 feet tall. So a dwarf, would seem to me, is going to be a tiny tree..

Forgot to mention -- it will be potted for at least one year. then replanted to my yard - landscaping in progress...

Any advice?

You should have purchased your dream tree. The key word on the tag was the words "large crop". Notice that the tag did not say that the tree only produces fruit every other year. The official term for this type of fruit production is " alternate bearing". Alternate bearing - meaning heavy crop years are followed by light crop years. Essentially, in an “on” (heavy) year, the tree is so debilitated by its heavy crop that there is inadequate growth to set and support a similar crop the following season. Similarly, the light crop in the “off” year allows for greater vegetative growth which then sets a heavy crop in the next ”on” year, thereby perpetuating the cycle. This type of production, can be minimized by providing the tree with extra nutrition and water management during the on year cycle, to provide for the tree’s vegetative growth needs. Thinning the crop on the "heavy" year also reduces the strain put on the tree by the heavy load, and therefore increases the fruit production on the "off" year. Go back and purchase you tree, it needs a good home. - Millet