Hello,

Could someone please advise me if it is possible to grow the Kinnow mandarin from seed and get a plant that will fruit.

Wikipedia says that "The seeds of kinnow are naturally diploid or tetraploid". Excuse my ignorance, but I don't understand what (if anything) this means in respect of growing a plant that will come true from seed.

Hope someone can help.

Simi

Hi Simi, I'm no expert but from what I've read you should get fruiting trees no problem from your Kinnow Mandarin seeds. However, it looks like Kinnow mandarin isn't true to type. It's hard to find much information but I found this quote:

"Most of the mandarin cultivars are propagated through seeds except Kinnow and Nagpur mandarins."

Taken from the following webpage (about 1/3 way down under the 'Propagation and Rootstock' section)

http://www.fruitipedia.com/mandarin.htm

I'd plant your seeds and see what you get, it's great fun. You might get at least 1 tree that gives equally good or superior fruit to the mother tree. Good luck!

Thanks for your advice and that link Lemandarangequatelo.

I will indeed "plant and pray".

Best wishes,

Simi

I have found a source selling a King Mandarin and another selling a Willow Leaf Mandarin.....so....I think I am going to try and hybridise/breed my own Kinnow.

I am really excited!

Simi that is great, I'm trying some hybridization too (kumquat x pummelo), I wish you success with yours. Where are you getting the King Mandarin and Willow Leaf Mandarin from? Are the prices reasonable?

Hello Lemandarangequatelo,

The Willow Leaf (citrus deliciosa) from:

http://www.funkyflora.com/products/citrus/400957-citrus-deliciosa-mandarin-orange-12-standard-in-20cm-pot.html

....and the King (citrus nobilis) from:

http://www.topiaryplants.co.uk/product/citrus-nobilis-2-litre-pot-25-30cm-bush-CITNOB2L.html

Will have to wait until March at least for the King, but if I buy now I avoid the hike in VAT come January.

Pricewise, they are expensive, but I could not find anything comparable for a lower price. Hubby is going to complain about the expense but the way I see it, he spends ££££s on his computers every year, so I can jolly well spend a relatively little on my hobby, seeing as I don't buy clothes, shoes, go to the hairdressers or any of the other typical female stuff.

That's my story anyway, but I am feeling guilty already.

P.S Good luck with your...Kummelo? Pumquat?

Hello Simi,

Thanks for the links. Yes quite pricey trees, but as you rightly said worth it and compared to other hobbies very cheap. I got my Kumquat Reale from Funky Flora, they seem like a good company. Hopefully my pummeloquat attempt will succeed, if the fruitlet ever develops to maturity and makes me some hybrid seeds

A good source of cheap citrus trees is Mulu Nurseries, they have several of the common varieties for as little as £12.50. Their delivery packaging is shocking, but for the price can't complain, plus they are friendly.

http://www.mulu.co.uk/plant_info.php?id=1071

Those are good prices for the basic citrus, Lemandarangequatelo. I might get a small Reticulata from them if it is in the £4.95 delivery cost category (not the £18 one). Thanks for the recommendation.

I'm hoping to get a Poncirus soon and will be taking cuttings from all my existing and future citrus to propagate plants for grafting onto it. Should get cheaper plants that way!

Fingers crossed for your fruitlet to set lots of seed.