How to Grow Clementine

Clementine is a cultivar of mandarin (Citrus reticulate). It produces an orange medium-size fruit similar to a tangerine but does not have seeds and is not sour. Clementine was named in 1902 and was being grown commercially in California by 1914. The demand for clementines increased in the United States in 1997 when the unusually severe winter devastated the orange crop.

Instructions

1. Select a subtropical climate for the best results. Clementine has a high tolerance for cold and drought as citrus fruits go and can survive moderate freezes but will require protection against severe freezes.

2. Choose virtually any well-drained soil depending on the rootstock. For example, trifoliate orange rootstock has a higher tolerance for cold while sour orange is better suited for saline and alkaline soil.

3. Use bud wood that has been tested for viruses. Graft the bud wood onto rootstock using the "T" or inverted "T" method. They should be spaced at 8- to 10-feet intervals with 18 feet between rows. Irrigate with 30 to 36 inches of water per year. Prune for a uniform height more often than making thinning cuts.

4. Harvest the fruits by hand from November to June depending on the climate. Clementines do not store well on the tree and must be picked within a 2- to 3-day window. The fresh fruit also is very fragile.

5. Plant Clementine at home on the south or southeast side of a house for the best protection against cold weather.

Resources

• Learn more about growing citrus trees at Sunkist.