Clementine Mandarin – Grafted

Summary:
The Clementine Mandarin is a vigorous, bushy citrus tree reaching around 4 m tall. It produces heavy crops of deep orange fruit with a rich, sweet flavour. Popular as a fresh snack, the thin, easy-peel skin makes it perfect for kids and families. Best grown in sunny, frost-free positions, this variety thrives in warm climates and rewards growers with reliable winter harvests.

Quick Overview:

• Common Name: Clementine Mandarin
• Botanical Name: Citrus reticulata ‘Clementine’
• Origin: Believed to have originated as a natural mandarin hybrid; widely grown around the Mediterranean and in subtropical regions
• Height & Width: Up to 4 m high × 3 m wide
• Foliage: Glossy evergreen leaves with a dense, rounded canopy
• Flowers: Small, fragrant white blossoms in spring
• Fruit: Deep orange, medium-sized fruit; sweet and juicy flesh with thin, easily peeled skin
• Wildlife Attraction: Fragrant flowers attract bees and pollinators
• Position: Full sun; requires a warm, sheltered, frost-free site
• Soil: Prefers fertile, free-draining soils with good organic content
• Tolerance: Performs best in warm, subtropical regions; sensitive to frost
• Maintenance: Moderate; benefits from pruning, mulching, and seasonal citrus fertiliser
• Etymology: Citrus is the Latin name for the citron tree; reticulata refers to the netted markings on the fruit rind

Detailed Description:

Clementine Mandarins are highly regarded for their rich flavour and ease of eating. Their fruit is small to medium-sized with thin, deep orange skin that peels away effortlessly, making them a perfect lunchbox fruit. The trees are vigorous and bushy in habit, producing large crops of fruit in winter. Grown in a warm, frost-free position, Clementines can provide reliable yields and are well-suited to both home gardens and small-scale orchards.

In addition to their productivity, the trees bring ornamental value with their dense foliage and fragrant spring blossoms. Protect from frost and ensure consistent watering during dry periods to achieve the best-quality crops. With proper care, the Clementine will deliver abundant fruit year after year.

Growth and Maintenance:

• Watering: Water well during dry periods; mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds, leaving a 25 mm gap around the trunk
• Fertilising: Apply a balanced citrus fertiliser as directed during the growing season
• Mulching: Maintain an organic mulch layer to keep roots cool and reduce evaporation

Pruning:

• Formative: Shape lightly when young to establish a strong canopy
• Annual Care: Thin congested branches and remove dead or diseased wood to improve airflow
• Size Control: Trim after harvest to maintain a compact, productive shape

Common Uses:

• Fresh eating as a sweet, juicy snack
• Lunchbox fruit for kids due to its easy-peel skin
• Winter harvest variety for home orchards
• Ornamental garden citrus with evergreen foliage

Planting Benefits:

• Heavy Crops: Produces abundant fruit in winter
• Family-Friendly: Easy-peel fruit perfect for children
• Vigorous Growth: Strong, bushy habit forms a dense, productive tree
• Rich Flavour: Sweet, juicy flesh ideal for fresh eating