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The
2" to 3" diameter fruit (up to 4" diameter if thinned), which ripens mid-
to late-November, has less flavor than supermarket tangerines and is seedy.
So, why do we grow it? Because it is the cold-hardiest, commercially
available, edible citrus for San Antonio and Austin. If acclimated,
it is hardy to 15º F. or lower (seedling plants, but not grafted ones,
have resprouted from below after the tops were killed at 4º F.).
Old specimens in this area grow to almost 20 feet high and almost as wide,
if not pruned. The Changsha Tangerine also makes an outstanding hedge
if planted 8' apart. Caution, branches heavily laden with fruit (see
photograph) will bend down and could break during a storm!
It is thought to be a very
old hybrid of Citrus reticulata, the Mandarin or Tangerine, which
if acclimated, is hardy to 20º F., and Citrus ichangensis,
the Ichang Papeda, a tree with inedible fruits. If acclimated, hardy to
0º F. Does best in full sun, in soils with good internal drainage.
Performs best if given a deep watering every two weeks during a dry summer.
(Feed with 3 to 5
Agriform 21-gram, 2-year fertilizer tablets at the bottom of the
hole at planting time.) |