For those of you who don't know or remember, Dr. Wayne Hanna is the head of the turf program at the University of Georgia who spoke at the 2005 Citrus Expo. He has made great advancements in research on the breeding, genetics and management of new grasses used for forage and turf. Recently he was even inducted into the ARS Hall of Fame. One of his latest experiments is on engineering seedless hardy citrus -most specifically the changsha mandarin.

I had a conversation w/ Dr. Wayne Hanna this morning and was able to get an update on the irradiated changsha seeds from his trials down in Georgia. Last year a few of these changsha trees flowered and fruited for the first time and had at least one promising selection. Dr Hanna described two trees that had fruit that were mealy or dry, one tree that had fruit that was exceptionally juicy and another tree that had one branch that produced fruit that had only two seeds each. He says they'll be closely watching this nearly seedless tree this year and is happy that they are "succeeding in making changes". As far as cold hardy citrus the changsha is the one w/ probably the most sweet flavor of them all. Unfortunately changsha can sometimes be insipid but always has many seeds. Producing a changsha that is seedless or near seedless would be great since the massive amount of seeds it produces can be quite annoying when trying to consume the fruit.

Thanks for the up date Eyeckr. I would stand in line for scion of that. Dr. Hanna's work should take the changsha mandarin out of the mostly ornamental category.
Terry

That is really great news, it is amazing what they can do to seeds to change the genetics.

Thanks Eyeckr. I am very much interested in improved Changsha's.

Ned

Thanks for the news eyecker!

In the years to come, it will be interesting to see how the hardiness and fruit quality of the irradiated Changshas will compare to the Changsha x Clementine hybrid Dr. Brown made.

Kieth, Is there a name for the Changsa X Clemintine hybrid? Have you tasted it?

Skeeter,

Changsha x Clementine can be shortened to Clem-Chang. However, this name could be confused with a Clementine x Ichang Lemon hybrid (i.e. the cross Taichang is Citrus taiwanica x Ichang).

I haven't tasted the fruit yet (plants may be two years from fruiting), but friends who have, describe it very favorably.

Keith

Does anyone know the current status of this Seedless Changsha project?

How seedy is the Changsha X Clementine and how much cold can it tolerate?

Welcome to The Citrus Growers Forum. We are please to have you as a member. I am not exactly sure about the Changsha X Clementine cross, but the last that I read the fruit is slightly smaller in size than many of the Changsha crosses, but is much more flavorful. It was also stated in the article that they are hopeful that it will be as hardy as Changsha. Generally, Changsha Mandarin crosses have been reported to have tolerated short freezes down to 13F. I can't say about the seed content,hopefully it is not as bad (terrable) as most Changsha crosses, but then, that is the purpose of the project.

I haven't heard any updates on the seedless changsha but I believe Dr Hanna should have at least one or two selected trees by now. I can't remember but wasn't he a speaker at one of the last two Citrus Expo's? He may have mentioned something about it then.

I do have an in-ground fruiting Clementine x Changsha and the fruits are as Millet described being smaller and more flavorful than a regular Changsha. It is about the size of a Kat mandarin or seedless Kishu, or roughly 60-70% the size of a Changsha. Mine fruits with about 1 to 3 seeds per segment where as the typical Changsha has about a minimum of at least 3 seeds per segment. We had a pretty rough winter this year and it mostly defoliated but should make it back just fine.

Dr. Hannah did talk about his seedless Changsha at the CE. I believe he mention that he is seeking (or would seek) permission to share it with propagators outside Georgia (which is now under quarantine for Citrus Greening, and the Citrus Psyllid). He also said that he intends to name it after Major Collins, of Tiffton, GA (a hardy citrus pioneer) who was instrumental in his becoming interested in citrus.

Ned

Dr. Hanna gave me the following update this week:

Quote:

Thanks for your interest in the seedless citrus. We cannot move plants across state lines with present regulations, so will begin testing from Columbus to Valdosta this year with trees. As soon as we get fruit (probably two years), we will release for GA. UGA Research Foundation will patent the plants and license them. I will keep you updated.

I received this update from Dr. Hanna

Quote:

Wayne W Hanna Feb 1 to me We harvested tangerines and lemons at Marshallville this year from plants in large pots. We will see what this winter will do to trees in the ground.

Dr. Hanna attended this years Citrus Expo in Alabama. . I believe he is to be our 2014 Citrus Expo host which is going to be at his area (Georgia) this fall. - MIllet