I bought and planted in my garden, in the ground, around spring of 2005, a "Dwarf Algerian Tangerine". This is now about 5' tall.
When will it grow to full height?
When will it yield fruits?
What do I need to do to make it yield fruits?
Any other information will be helpful. This is the first tree I ever planted...and I was 55 years old when I did it!
Thanks

Was the tree grafted or from a seedling?
Grafted trees produce fruits much earlier than seedlings, way much earlier.


If grafted, what was the type of rootstock used?
There are ultradwarf, dwarf, semi-dwarf and standard type rootstocks. Their mature height can be anywhere from 10 ft to 60 ft, depending on cultivar. Generally mandarins are small trees, seldom exceeding 15 ft high. Algerian mandarin is a compact tree with dense canopy.

Also, in what location (city) was this tree planted? What has been the cultivation program that you have given the tree such as fertilization, water etc. If the tree is a grafted tree it should have already begun some blooming. - Millet

I have no idea about the initial life of this tree. I bought it when it was about a foot tall in a pot in a store.
The only information I have on it is that it was from the
"Hines Horticulture" in Houston, but their website does not have any information about this plant.
The tag on the plant says: will gorw to about 15 feet tall and 15 feet wide and that it is an evergreen flowering tree. It says that it can withstand upto 20 degrees F, and it has withstood tempratures down to about 21 degrees this winter.
It is planted in the Dallas, TX area.
So far, the tree is shaped more tall than wide. About 5 feet tall and less than 3 feet wide.
For fertilizer, I have typically used those spikes that you get in home depot.
It is planted on a slight slope. Last summer, we had record levels of rainfall and the plant seemed to do very well.
Thanks in anticipation!

Hines sells both grafted & rooted trees. I have a Seto mandarin and meyer lemon both from Hines and both are rooted from cuttings. I have also seen many trees from Hines at the local HD that are grafted. It should have bloomed by now, but give it a little more time and fertilize as required. Hines does have some nice quality plants.

Spikes are not the best fertilizer for your tree. For inground trees you need to fertilize young trees pretty often 5-6 times a year. A Mature tree should be fertilized about 3 times a yr and can use over 1 pound of actual N per year (that would be 10 pounds of 10-10-10). Your tree also needs trace minerals -- you can find fertilizers with trace minerals, but if not you need to add them separately.

Regarding trace minerals, I was under the impression (partially from statements I've read on this forum) that in-ground citrus does not routinely require additional trace minerals.

I have never heard of Algerian Tangerine, does anyone know how it tastes? I am always interested in trying new hardy varieties (20F is pretty hardy!).

Ed.

"Regarding trace minerals, I was under the impression (partially from statements I've read on this forum) that in-ground citrus does not routinely require additional trace minerals."

That depends on the soil-- here in NW FL we have sand--virtually no minerals. If you live in an area with clay soil or subsoil you may not need trace minerals.

For in ground citrus i believe they are not normally applied except to correct known deficiencies when needed. - Millet