Had a Sanbokan for breakfast this morning an thought it might be good to take a photo of it and post it here.

This is sometime called the Lemonade Grapefruit (or Sweet Lemon, depending on who you are talking to). It is often described as having a sweet lemonade taste. It peels easily and the segments seperate much like that of a mandarin. It turns yellow somewhat late (around the middle of December here), but I find that it is quite edible before turning completely green. Very tasty!

Ned

how cold hardy is it Ned?

Ned, although your Sanbokan does seem to have a little thicker peel than normal citrus, the peels on the Sanbokans that I have grown were much thicker. Sanbokan is a great tasting citrus variety, and I would recommend it to all of our members. Personally, I would much rather eat a Sanbokan than a Meyer lemon. - Millet

Great photos Ned. Mine are about the same. Peel is thick. I find them better juiced. They are quite cold hardy & my tree has never been damaged. Mine is grafted to flying dragon. I still have some fruit on the tree that doesn't appear to have been damaged by our low of 24.

Morphinelover, It hasn't been cold enough here, since I planted mine, to really test it for cold hardiness. Tom Mclendon says in his book, Hardy Citrus for the Southeast, that one in Augusta, GA took 14 f degrees with no damage, and was killed at 9 degrees. I would say that makes it about as hardy as a Satsuma.

Lazz, I think mine is on Swingle, but I don't know for sure. In any event, it has remained fairly small (8' or so) over the approximaty 8 years it has been planted. I also have an Olando tangelo on Swingle that has remained fairly small - maybe 9' or 10'. Not sure why, they are both healthy.

Millet, Even though the Sambokans normally have thick peel, it seems to get even thicker as they hang on the tree. Also, mine seem to keep well on the tree without suffering in regards to quality.

Ned

Nice picture Ned. I have always been interested in this one and have been growing one for the last five years- even though it has not fruited yet. Mine is 12' tall and a vigorous grower. I'm curious how much cold it can take. The lowest temp experienced was 18* (3 yrs ago)- it had some foliage drop, but the plant was much smaller than it is now. Hopefully it will bloom this spring for me.

Matt,

From what I have heard it is about as hardy as a Satsuma. I believe one (I think it was a seedling) survived 14 degrees in Augusta, GA and was killed at 9 degrees. Mine has never been below 20. I bet yours will bear in the next year or so.

Ned

I just picked up a Sanbokan this weekend. I'm glad to hear that it's fairly cold hardy as my greenhouse space is at a premium!

.....Alan.

Alan you won't have to worry about that one. Mine has never been protected and has never had damage. Fruits every year.

This is the Sanbokan Stan brought me when he came to Columbia today. It is a very nice specimen and very healthy. The graft looks excellent on it. Great job, Stan!

Citrusgalore, if you have never eaten a Sanbokan you will be in for a surprise, and a treat. It is different than what you think, when you think of a lemon variety, or a grapefruit variety. - Millet (1,444-)

Millet, I ate one about Christmastime and that is when I knew I had to have one. I can hardly wait for it to have a crop. Stan told me to let it grow on for this next year. It is worth the wait!

From what you all say & Millet saying it's better than a Meyer, I GOTTA have this. Can I buy some bud sticks from someone? I'm going to graft this Spring ...no time the last 2 yrs.

I just smoked a bunch of T-bones with Sanbokan budwood. Had to prune the tree back and rootstock is not slipping. Gives meat a great flavor by the way.