Which variety of clementine should you choose? Characteristics and uses of clementines

How to choose your clementine variety?

Are you looking to plant clementine trees on your plot in France but don't know which clementine variety to choose? This clementine variety guide lists the main varieties along with their characteristics and uses. For farm sales, supermarket sales, or processing? There's something for everyone.

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The range of Yellow Clementine Plants from Agrumiverse

Clementine variety guides:

Variety	Flesh color	Size and characteristics of the fruit	Mature size of the tree	Skin characteristic	Fruiting period	Disease resistance and notes	% juice	Yield	Fruit taste and commercial recommendation	Mode of reproduction	Origin of the variety	Suitable rootstocks
Clemenrubi	Light Orange	80-90g, rounded shape, upright habit, 55-60mm diameter	About 2m	Intense orange	September 15 to October 30	The trunk must be protected from direct sunlight to prevent scab. Susceptible to sunburn. Not very vigorous.	50-55%	High fruit density, high yield potential.	Sweet, juicy, seedless flavor.	Self-fertile	Spain	Poncirus trifoliata, Carrizo Citrange, Cleopatra Mandarin
Clemenules	Intense orange	95-105g, large, slightly flattened fruit.	About 2m	Intense orange	November 1st to January 15th	The fruit stays well on the tree, very resistant to cold (down to -10°C).	47-55%	Productive, fast production.	Seedless, juicy quality pulp, easy to peel, good sugar-acid balance.	Self-fertile	Spain	Carrizo Citrange, Cleopatra Mandarin
Hernandina	Lighter orange	85-100g, 55-60mm diameter, medium size slightly flattened.	About 2m	Rather dark orange	January 1st to February 15th	Resists rain well. Sensitive to late frosts and fruit drop in very cold weather.	47-52%	High yield.	Almost seedless without pollination, juicy pulp of high quality.	Self-fertile	Spain
Nero	Intense orange	95-110g, large, flattened fruit, 57-65mm in diameter.	About 2m	Orange	October 1st to October 31st	Behavior identical to Clemenules.	44-53%	Heavy fruiting.	Seedless, tender pulp. Juice may gel if left on the tree too long.	Self-fertile	Not specified
Neufina	Intense reddish orange	90-100g, 55-60mm diameter.	About 2m	Bright orange	January 1st to February 20th	Very little prone to the "blown" appearance and "water stains". Withstands cold storage well.	48-52%	Not specified	Tender and melting flesh, high juice content, pleasant flavor and good consumption, well-balanced brix/acidity ratio.	Self-fertile	Spain
Orogros	Light Orange	85-100g, barrel shape, 67-62mm diameter.	About 2m	Reddish-orange	September 21 to November 5	The trunk should be protected from direct sunlight to prevent scab. Susceptible to sunburn.	50-58%	Very productive, quick entry into production.	Good sugar-acid balance, no seeds, no crossbreeding.	Self-fertile	Spain (license required)
Oronules	Reddish orange	90-100g, oblong, 57-62mm diameter.	About 2m	Intense orange	October 1st to 31st	Vigorous tree but fruit sensitive to sunburn.	47-54%	Slow growth.	Almost seedless, quality pulp, very sweet, easy to peel, very popular taste characteristic.	Self-fertile	Spain	Poncirus trifoliata, Carrizo Citrange, Cleopatra Mandarin

How to choose your clementine variety for the south of France?

Choosing the right clementine variety for the South of France involves considering several factors such as cold hardiness, harvest time, flavor, and compatibility with rootstocks. The sources offer detailed information on several clementine varieties, allowing both professional citrus growers and hobbyists to optimize their harvests in this region.

Early varieties (September-October)

Clemenrubi

Clemenrubi is distinguished by its sweet, juicy flavor and its lack of seeds. It has high yield potential, but is susceptible to sunburn . For this reason, it is recommended to protect its trunk from direct sunlight.

Orogros

The Orogros variety is known for its precocity and balanced taste, both sweet and sour. It is also very productive, but sensitive to sunburn , requiring adequate trunk protection.

Oronules

Harvested in October, Oronules is particularly appreciated for its very sweet and juicy flavor, as well as for its lack of seeds and its ease of peeling. However, it is slow growing and susceptible to sunscald .

Seasonal varieties (November-January)

Clemenules

Clemenules is a very cold-hardy variety (down to -10°C), productive, and easy to peel. Its juicy pulp has a good sugar-acid balance, and it begins producing early in its development cycle. It is a popular choice among citrus growers looking for a hardy and reliable variety.

Late varieties (January-February)

Hernandina

Hernandina is rain-resistant and high-yielding. This variety is virtually seedless and produces high-quality, juicy pulp. However, it is susceptible to fruit drop in cold weather, making it a less ideal choice in regions prone to late frosts.

Neufina

Neufina is distinguished by its resistance to the "blown" appearance and water spot disease . It keeps well after harvest and its tender flesh, rich in juice, offers a pleasant and melting flavor.

Rootstocks: The importance of choice for clementine trees

Rootstock is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a clementine variety. It influences not only cold hardiness, but also tree vigor, fruit quality, and compatibility with soil types. Here are some commonly recommended rootstocks:

• Citrange C35 : A versatile choice that offers good hardiness, high fruit taste quality and relative lime tolerance.
• Citrumelo Swingle CPB4475 : Very resistant to cold and disease, it is suitable for clay-limestone soils .
• Poncirus trifoliata : Increases cold resistance but is less tolerant of calcareous soils. It can cause constriction at the graft union, which can be beneficial for fruit quality.
• Citrange Carrizo : Offers rapid fruit set and high productivity, but has less tolerance to limescale than C35.
• Forner Alcaide 5 (FA5) : Suitable for all types of soil, including calcareous soils, and resistant to cold.
• Cleopatra Mandarin : Acceptable as rootstock for clementine trees, but less often used.

The best varieties according to your needs

In summary, here are some recommendations based on your priorities:

• For an early harvest : The Clemenrubi , Orogros and Oronules varieties are excellent for harvests from September.
• For good cold resistance : Clemenules and Hernandina are ideal choices, although the latter is best in regions without late frosts.
• For good storage after harvest : The Neufina variety stores very well and offers excellent taste quality after harvest.

Don't forget to choose a rootstock that is compatible with your clementine variety and suited to your climate and soil type. Agrumiverse , with its expertise in citrus growing , offers grafted citrus plants and supports you with personalized technical advice to maximize your productivity.

Conclusion

Choosing the right clementine variety for the South of France involves understanding each variety's needs in terms of cold hardiness, harvest time, and rootstock compatibility. Agrumiverse , as a supplier of specialized citrus plants , can help you make the best choice based on your specific needs. Don't hesitate to consult local citrus experts to optimize your plantings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which variety of clementine is most cold-hardy for the south of France?

Clemenules is the most cold-hardy clementine variety, tolerating temperatures down to -10°C.

Which variety of clementine should you choose for an early harvest?

The Clemenrubi , Orogros , and Oronules varieties are excellent choices for an early harvest as early as September.

What rootstocks are recommended for clementine trees?

The rootstocks Citrange C35 , Citrumelo Swingle , and Poncirus trifoliata are among the most recommended for their resistance to cold and their adaptation to the soils of the south of France.

How to protect clementine trees from sunburn?

It is recommended to protect the trunk of sensitive varieties such as Clemenrubi and Orogros from direct sunlight, for example using physical protection such as sheaths or shade nets.

Which variety should you choose for good post-harvest storage?

Neufina is a variety that keeps very well after harvest and is resistant to diseases such as water spot.

Does Agrumiverse offer grafted clementine plants?

Yes, Agrumiverse offers grafted clementine plants adapted to the climate of southern France, in addition to personalized technical support.