Clementine Tree bears tiny, luscious oranges that ripen just in time for the winter holidays. Comparing these Christmas oranges to ordinary mandarin oranges, they are far less acidic, practically seedless, and peel easily.
It’s best if you can cultivate them in your own home. Small enough to be kept as houseplants, Clementine is densely packed and has exceptional resilience to frost. Whether you choose to grow Clementine indoors or outdoors, this comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about raising these hardy citrus trees.
Clementine Tree Overview
Common Name: Christmas Orange, Sweet Tangerine
Scientific Name: Citrus reticulata ‘Clementine’
Month(s) of Harvest: 4 months
Light: Full sun
Water: 1x weekly
Soil: Sandy, mildly acidic
Fertilizer: Every other month
Pests: Fruit flies, leaf miners
Diseases: Phytophthora, canker
What’s the difference between Mandarin and Clementine?
Mandarins and Clementine are not the same, despite their appearance. Clementine is a hybrid variant of the citrus fruit species that includes mandarins, according to taxonomy.
There has been much discussion on the origins of this type; the prevailing theory is that it is a hybrid of a sweet orange and a mandarin. Therefore, all Clementine is a type of Mandarin, even though all Mandarin oranges are not Clementine.
Mandarin comes in many more types; tangerines, Turcotte, and satsumas are just a few. Their squat oval shape and dark yellow-orange peels make them stand out.
Clementine Tree Planting
Spring or autumn are the ideal seasons to plant Clementine trees. These are the steps that we recommend taking:
- Select a planting location that gets at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunshine per day to start.
- Eliminate any unwanted plants and grass, as well as any waste.
- At the same depth, dig a hole that is three times wider than the container your Clementine tree came in.
- Using your hand or a tiny spade, lightly prick the roots of the root ball.
- Put your tree of Clementine in the hole.
- Fill the remaining space with soil, and then cover it with water.
- Once it has evaporated, fill the hole.
- To help retain moisture, cover the roots with a 2-3-inch layer of mulch, taking care to keep the mulch away from the trunk.
Make sure there are drainage holes in the container you placed your Clementine tree in. After planting, make sure to water your tree frequently. Every time you water, make sure that any excess water drains from the drainage holes.
Clementine Tree Care
The upkeep requirements for Clementine oranges are comparable to those of other citrus trees. Just consider how many different citrus fruits you could plant if you could figure out how to grow this tree!
Soil
Sandy, somewhat acidic soil is required for outdoor use. Although adaptable to several soil types, these conditions are necessary for this plant to truly flourish. Puddling shouldn’t occur, as it should drain somewhat rapidly and uniformly. Add some perlite or sand if you think it may be better.
When summer arrives, add a couple of inches of light mulch. This moisture retention will reduce the need for watering. Moreover, it will maintain the soil’s organic matter supply, which this tree would require in large quantities.
Specialty citrus soils will work best for indoor plants. They already have everything these fruit trees require, and you can find them virtually anywhere.
Sun and Temperature
To yield the best citrus fruit, these trees need full light. If it’s indoors, place it in the brightest area you have. It could be necessary to add a grow light to your interior space if it isn’t sunny enough.
Although we don’t advise testing it, this plant can withstand lows of up to 20 °F. Frost exposure can potentially be deadly or impair fruiting. Maintain a temperature above 50°F to keep your Clementine fruit nice and toasty. But you should give it some protection during very hot spells to avoid sunburn.
Watering & Humidity
The soil should always be slightly wet but not drenched. Water when the top inch or two dries out to create this balance. Weekly watering is probably required, depending on where it is. In its initial year of growth, a very young tree can require up to two or three days of irrigation.
Since these trees are tropical, they can withstand extreme humidity. When cultivating a citrus tree indoors, keep it away from heaters that could dry it out. To produce evaporative humidity around the plant, use a humidifier or set the pot on a tray with rocks and water in it.
Fertilizing
All year long, give your Clementine Mandarin every other month. As early as possible in the spring and autumn, apply slow-release fertilizer if that’s your preference. We highly recommend using a citrus fertilizer because it was created exclusively for this type of tree.
Pruning
Pruning is important, even for small trees. Don’t ignore it. Trees need regular trimmings to stay healthy and in shape, just like a good haircut. Any time of year is a good time to trim your Clementine tangerine, but spring is the best.
Before assessing the tree, clean your shears. Note and throw away the following:
- Branches obstructing walkways
- Dead or dying branches
- Branch crossings in the middle of the canopy
- Leggy branches
- Offshoots
Pruning should generally only be done on one-third of the plant at a time. To avoid trimming every branch, pay attention to which ones are in bloom or bearing fruit.
Propagation
Citrus fruits can be budded or grafted using a rootstock. The process of joining a plant’s scion to the rootstock of another plant is known as grafting. A unique form of grafting called budding happens when a single blossom connects the scion and rootstock.
Budding is the most often used technique for propagating citrus. The most common rootstocks for this type of application are sour orange and rough lemon.
Not all Clementine have seeds. A few seeds might be present in your Cutie or Halo Clementine, but they won’t resemble the parent plant in any way.
Harvesting and Storing Clementine
Your tree is the product of your planting, fertilization, and tender, loving care. The tree is now prepared to give something back!
Harvesting
Early to midwinter is the harvest season for Clementine trees. As mandarins do not regenerate once harvested, it is best to collect them as soon as possible. When it is completely ripe, the skin becomes orange and loses its entire green tint.
When squeezed, it will give slightly and feel substantial. To pick it up, use clippers or your hands. These Mandarins can remain on the tree for months at a time since they do not easily overripen. However, we suggest that you harvest them before the winter ends to prevent degradation.
Storing
A fresh orange Clementine can be kept for approximately a week in the cupboard. Store it in an open jar in a cold, dry place for the best results. Another use for dried mandarins is to make tasty and healthy snacks. After arranging each wedge on a dehydrator tray, dry them for ten to twelve hours at 125°F. Place the dried candies into a vacuum-sealed jar.
When the wedges are fully frozen, remove them from the pan and place them in a freezer storage bag with a zip-top lid. To defrost them again, put your mandarins in a bowl or other container and gradually thaw them in the fridge.
Mangos are often canned or preserved in juice. Jams and jellies are among the preserves that, when canned by reliable, food-safe methods, can remain fresh for an extended period.
Troubleshooting
Fortunately, Clementine trees don’t pose a significant threat to gardeners. You must continue to be on the lookout for signs, though.
Growing Problems
Yellowing leaves are a common fixable problem. You can move the tree to solve the typical issue of insufficient sunlight. Pruning will be necessary if leaves in the center of the canopy are just beginning to turn yellow to allow sunlight to reach every leaf.
Avoid this by promptly bringing them inside. Verify that your fruit trees receive enough sunlight if you don’t think the temperature is the issue. Make sure the soil drains properly, and water with greater caution. To help you stay on track, creating a watering schedule can be beneficial.
Pests
The pests you’re most likely to come across are fruit flies. These bothersome insects don’t just hang about the kitchen; they also deposit their eggs on fruit, either on the tree or off. Maintaining a clean tree, getting rid of fallen fruit or dead material, and harvesting when the tree is ready are the best ways to avoid them.
The citrus leaf miner is an amazing insect that physically mines tunnels through immature leaves. On the other hand, the damage could attract germs and illnesses. If there are only a few broken leaves, remove them from the tree and burn them. One way to stop large populations is to regularly mist new growth with neem oil.
Diseases
The bark is impacted by Phytophthora, often known as citrus gummosis. It causes sap to leak from the trees, the bark to break off, and the leaves to lose their colour. Places that are chilly and moist promote this sickness. Remove the afflicted bark and treat the remaining portion with copper fungicide.
Citrus canker is most likely present if you notice clusters of brown, elevated sores on the leaves, twigs, or Clementine tangerine. It eventually becomes brown and crumbles. To prevent cankers, keep the trees clean and dry. Once lesions have formed, eradicate them with a copper fungicide.
Conclusion
Clementine trees would make a lovely addition to any patio or garden. Perfectly sized and surprisingly resilient to freezing temperatures, they offer delightful, easily peeled fruit and beautiful evergreen foliage. The flavour of your home-grown Christmas oranges can be enjoyed for many years to come with the right maintenance.
FAQ
Are Clementine trees self-pollinating?
Yes, self-pollinating Clementine trees exist. Thus, you can have an enormous supply of fruit with just one Clementine tree.
How resilient to cold do Clementine trees grow?
One of the citrus varieties that can withstand the coldest temperatures is Clementine, which can withstand brief dips below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
How large can a Clementine tree get?
If planted in the ground and not pruned, Clementine trees can reach a height of 25 feet. They are often clipped to a height of six to ten feet when grown indoors.