The Calamondin's behind our little nursery are loaded. These belong to a neighbor and were grown from seed, that I provided, about 15-20 years ago. They were planted too close together, and I never expected to see them get this size. The cals make a beautiful screen between the properties. I am always amaze at how many fruit they carry, and how long it hangs on the tree. They are seldom without fruit.

The neighbor does not use the fruit and has told me I could get as much as I want. Maybe I need Joe's wine recipe!

They also have a red grapefruit mixed in with the cals, if you look closely, you can pick it out because of the difference in foliage and larger fruit.

Ned

That's awesome pics ned.

Thanks Joe! I use to make a little muscadine wine and blackberry wine. I think I ordered the yeast somewhere - I am sure it is available on the web. I still have the old 5 gallon carboys and air locks.

Ned

thats neat Ned, thanks for sharing!

I had no idea theyd get that big!
wine, or a big batch of marmalade?
I ate my first few cals right off the tree like kumquats- not great, but my first fruit.

garnetmoth, how brave of you! We use Calamondins like how we would use Yuzu or Lemons. It would be like eating a lemon. We use Calamondins by squeezing it over cooked seafood like crabs, shrimps, lobsters, never eating them directly. The best color to use is when they are shiny green to yellow green. If they become yellow to orange, they loose their distinctive aroma and tartness, just like an overripe meyers. Then perhaps you can eat it, skin and all like a kumquat but spit out the seeds.

I too had my first taste of Cals last Oct. I let them get orange & they were very tart. I thought ripening them to orange or yellow (meyer) makes them sweeter. (?)

A few years ago, on a diff. forum, Benny talked a lot about his Cals - he was so proud of them...showed several pics of them on his tree. So, I bought one & when I saw how tiny they really were (just last Oct), I must say I was disappointed (I thought there was something wrong w/ mine). Then I tasted them & they made me pucker.
Now, Ned I envy you. I would love to have enough make cal marmalade & wine!

Patty:
Calamondin is not made to eat as is. I myself can not stand it if I eat it as is.
But once you get used to the taste, you will not want no other be it Meyer or lime.
Just last night I had my teenagers and their friends taste a calamondin drink and they all loved it.
It is simple to make:
1 1/2 tbspn sugar
5-6 calamondins, cut them in halves, extract the juice and pour them on a tall glass. Remove the seeds.
Fill the glass 3/4 of water. Add the sugar and ice. Stir and, Viola ! you have a nice drink for free. You may add Vodka but that's optional.
It is also use many times to marinate meat and fish.
I don't know but to me it is a taste to die for.
A lot of my friends envy me because I have 6 trees in my yard and one of them is hinting for a Christmas present but deep down I told myself, no way I am giving them away.