Citrus Growers Forum

Boca_Joe · Posted: Fri 18 Oct, 2013 9:40 pm

was over at John's yesterday and checked on the progress of the citrus. The branches are starting to bend down with the weight of the fruit.

Some very slight coloring. Last year they ripened fully orange and we picked around Dec 12.

photos from Thursday here, the 1st 7 photos are the citrandarin.
http://bocajoe.smugmug.com/Tropical-Plants-in-a-Non/Panama-Johns-Hardy-palms/32804934_qfc87P#!i=2842850586&k=ChgCpPG

The 1st photo is a comparison of Flying Dragon fruit on left and citrandarin on right. Notice the citrandarin is about "3 fingers" in diameter, where the Flying Dragon is closer to "2 fingers". The fruit seem huge this year.

Can't wait...

Boca Joe

Tim MA z6 · Posted: Fri 18 Oct, 2013 11:29 pm

Great photos.......thanks for the update.....let us know when you start to pick them.

_________________
Massachusetts, USA USDA z6b

Roberto · Posted: Mon 21 Oct, 2013 11:36 am

What kind of Citrandarin is this? Do you know the parents? Where did you get it from?
/Roberto

Scott_6B · Posted: Mon 21 Oct, 2013 12:39 pm

Thanks for the update!

My understanding is that this either US-852 or possibly a seedling of US-852. I'm not sure it's known with 100% certainty (Boca_Joe, klemmd feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). It might be fun to try it side by side with US-852 to answer the question conclusively.

See here:
link

and here:
link

klemmd · Posted: Tue 29 Oct, 2013 5:43 pm

Scott_6B wrote:

My understanding is that this either US-852 or possibly a seedling of US-852. I'm not sure it's known with 100% certainty (Boca_Joe, klemmd feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). It might be fun to try it side by side with US-852 to answer the question conclusively.

Scott, that pretty much sums it up. Word on the street is it was from a batch of seedlings that came from a Florida grower of rootstock plants for the citrus industry -- likely from a Citrandarin US 852.

So I guess, since US 852 is highly zygotic (like 50%?) this particular plant could be a close facsimile to US 852. Maybe it's one of those 1 out of a 1000 that just has a better taste.

In any case, this is only its second crop. We'll continue to evaluate its quality with each season. The fruit is just now starting to color up. Hopefully our hardest frosts will hold off until the fruit is ready! In the meantime, I have rooted several cuttings and have done some grafting of it to try it in my yard as well.

_________________
Annandale, VA
USDA Zone 7A

Boca_Joe · Posted: Tue 29 Oct, 2013 5:49 pm

yes Dr. Klemm (doctor of hardy sweet citrus) is correct.
We plan to video the harvest and tasting again and rate the fruit.

Boca Joe

PS thanks Scott too