I have a small backyard and want to plant a mandarin or tangerine but so many need another variety as a pollenator. I've read about planting two trees in one hole and wondered if that would work for me. What varieties would be compatible and be able to cross pollinate? Also, what trees to choose so that one wouldn't grow much larger than the other. I am thinking about a Clementine, Page, Murcott--something sweet, a fruit easy to peel, hangs well on the tree, ripens late fall to early spring, and that should do well in the ground in southwest Florida (inland Sarasota County). Thanks for any suggestions. (I also posted this to another citrus forum, so the questions might sound familiar to you.)

You can grow 2 trees in one hole. As for my favorite mandarin, I like the clementines I have bought--especially the ones from Spain, but I do not have one in my yard so do not know how good the ones grown here would taste. I do have several others--Ponkan, Page, Murcott, Daisy and an Owari satsuma. All of them are very good in my book. I did not have any page fruit this yr, but last yr it was comparable to Ponkan. This yr I would have to rate the Daisy as my favorite, Murcott second and Ponkan 3rd. The satsuma is young and will get better with age.

Daisy does have a few negatives--it was bad to split with all the rain we had and it has a tight peel, but it was the best this yr--very sweet and distinct flavor.

Thanks for the info, Skeeter. I'll see what trees I can find locally that look good. Of those you listed, I've seen only Page at the local big box stores.

I grow a white flowering plum and a burgundy flowering plum in the same hole. They do fine. In your situation, a Clementine will require another citrus variety to produce a crop, because Clementine's are self-incompatible. In other words, Clementine's pollen is incapable of bringing about sexual fertilization even though both male and female components are functional. This is called sexual self-incompatibility. When you make your selection of a second tree to plant with a Clementine, be sure to choose a variety that is pollen compatible, has an overlapping bloom period, produces large amounts of pollen, produces flowers every year, and is at least as cold tolerant as the Clementine (or whatever main variety). Further for ascetic purposes, the two trees should have the same vigor and height. Know that when a Clementine is pollinated by another citrus variety, the fruit will be seedy. To avoid all of the above, you could forget the second tree, and just spray the flowers with Gibberellic acid, and have full crop of seedless Clementine's. - Millet (1,035-)

i could image that if you were to plant a tree in your yard there just might be a compatible pollinator near by in some one else's yard. not sure how close it has to be but bees travel and in california some citrus groves do not want bee hives near them because of the pollen.

if you are friends with a neighbor maybe they could plant the pollenator.

Clementines don't need pollination to make fruits.
Unless you really want seeds in your fruits.

Sylvain.

Sylvain, Clementine's are sexually self-incompatible. Incompatibility in citrus is due to slow pollen tube growth, apparently caused by inhibitors in the style. This results in abscission of the style before the pollen tube can enter the ovary and discharge its sperm nuclei into the embryo sack. Clementine's are very weakly parthenocarpic, so they will sometimes produce a very meager crop, but will not produce much fruit at all without pollination. It is for this very reason, that commercially, Clementine's are "pollinated" with gibberellic acid so the tree will be able to produce a good crop. - Millet (1,034-)

Most all varieties of citrus, except navel oranges, Satsuma mandarins, Minneola and its siblings, Orlando and Seminole none of which have viable pollen, are effective pollinators for Clementines. Therefore, you have a wide variety of citrus trees to choose from as your pollinator. However, know that when a Clementine is cross pollinated by another citrus variety, the fruit will have between 13 to 20 seeds per fruit. I noted above where you wrote that you do not want to get involved with Gibberellic acid (GA3). I would just tell you that GA3 is a harmless hormone, that in fact is manufactured by the roots of citrus trees, that when sprayed on citrus blooms "pollinates" the flower and provides seedless fruits. This is the same process that most every gardener uses when they purchase a Blossom Set for tomatoes and peppers. It is very easy, and safe to use. Any way it is your tree, and your decision. Lastly, look around your neighborhood, if there are close citrus trees, they would be an acceptable pollinator. The good news is, except for Navel oranges, Satsuma mandarins, and Minneola, you can pretty much choose whatever second variety you wish. Good luck, and good eating. - Millet (1,034-)

Thanks for explaining further, Millet. I'll take notes with me when I go tree shopping and see what trees are available.