Which Mandarin Tree Variety Should You Choose? Characteristics and Uses of Mandarins

How to choose your Mandarin tree variety?

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

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Our Mandarin range:

The Agrumiverse Mandarin Plants range

Mandarin Tree Variety Guides:

Variety of the species concerned	Color of the fruit flesh	Size and characteristics of the fruit	Adult size of the tree	Characteristics of the fruit skin	Fruiting period	Disease Resistance and Remarks	% of juice based on fruit weight	Variety yield	Fruit taste and commercial recommendation	Mode of reproduction	Origin of the variety	Adapted Rootstocks
Mandarin tree Moncalina (Clementine tree X Mandarin tree)	Dark "reddish" orange, almost seedless	120 to 140g, thin skin	About 2m	Dark orange	January - February	Not susceptible to Alternaria, vigorous and good resistance to cold	55 to 58%	Alternate years of high yield, good pruning helps balance.	Very good sugar-acid balance	Self-incompatible	Clementine and Mandarin Hybrid	Citrange 'Carizzo' or 'Troyer', Citrumelo, Forner Alcaide 5 (FA5)
Nova Mandarin (Hybrid Grapefruit X Mandarin)	Bright orange	Quite large, 120g on average, very firm and juicy	About 2m	Bright Orange	January to March	Resists up to -10°C	50-55%		Very sweet with a hint of acidity		Hybrid between Tangelo and Clementine, taste of Mandarin	Citrange 'Carizzo' or 'Troyer', Citrumelo
Mandarin Ortanique (Sweet Orange X Mandarin)	Bright orange	100 to 130g, large flattened fruit, tender and juicy fruit, releases essential oil when peeled.	About 2m	Thick, difficult to peel	February 20 to May 30	Fruit holds well on the tree, sensitive to frost on the other hand, regular watering in periods of drought	50-55%		Tender and juicy pulp, very good taste.	Self-incompatible	Parents unknown, origin from Jamaica	Citrange, Citrumelo, Volkameriana
Tangelo Mandarin Tree (Pomelo X Mandarin Hybrid)	Bright orange	Larger than a mandarin, about 150g, with a protuberance on top	4 to 5 meters	Fine and aromatic	December to April (Northern Hemisphere)	Generally good resistance, hybrid vigor. Monitoring and preventative care required. Cold resistance between -6°C and -8°C depending on the variety.	Very juicy	20 to 25 tonnes per hectare on average for citrus fruits	Perfect sugar/acid balance, excellent for juicing		A hybrid created by crossing a grapefruit and a mandarin tree. Created in Florida in the early 20th century.	Citrange, Citrumelo, Poncirus trifoliata

Yield of mandarin trees according to tree age

Age of the tree	Yield (Tons per hectare)
3 years	1.5 Tons
4 years	4 Tons
5 years	12 Tons
6 years old	15 Tons
7 years old	18 Tons

Choosing a mandarin tree variety for the South of France

Choosing a mandarin tree variety for the South of France depends on many essential factors to ensure a successful production adapted to your needs. Agrumiverse, as a citrus plant supplier and citrus plant wholesaler , offers a diverse range of mandarin trees, each with specific characteristics. Whether you are a citrus or citrus grower , it is crucial to understand the different varieties available and how they adapt to your environment.

Selection criteria for a mandarin tree variety

When selecting a mandarin tree variety, it is important to consider several factors:

• Taste preferences : Do you prefer sweet, tangy, or bittersweet tangerines? Tastes vary among varieties, and it's essential to choose based on the intended use (fresh consumption or processing into juice).
• Harvest period : Do you want early, seasonal or late mandarins? Agrumiverse, as a citrus specialist , offers solutions adapted to each harvest period.
• Cold and disease resistance : Some varieties are better suited to cooler climates or certain soil types. This is particularly important in areas of southern France where winters can be harsh.
• Use : Fresh consumption or processing? Agrumiverse, a supplier for professional citrus growers , can advise you on the varieties suited to your project.

Mandarin tree varieties recommended for the South of France

Here is a presentation of the mandarin tree varieties adapted to the climate of the south of France, accompanied by the rootstocks recommended for each type of soil.

Satsuma Mandarin Trees

• Characteristics : Highly valued for their seedlessness and easy-to-peel skin.
• Hardiness : Generally more cold hardy than other types of mandarin trees, making them ideal for growers in areas where winter temperatures may be low.
• Recommended rootstocks : Poncirus trifoliata (very good hardiness), Citrange C35 (good hardiness and tolerance to limestone), Carrizo (productivity), FA5 (hardiness, adaptability).

Satsuma mandarin trees are a popular choice for professional citrus growers looking for a cold-hardy and easy-to-harvest variety.

Moncalina (Clementine x Mandarin)

• Characteristics : Dark orange fruits, thin skin, very good sugar-acid balance.
• Recommended rootstocks : Citrange C35, Citrumelo 4475, Forner Alcaide 5 (FA5).

The Moncalina variety is recommended for citrus growers looking for a good yield with fruits of high taste quality.

Nova (Pomelo x Mandarin)

• Characteristics : Bright orange fruits, very firm and juicy, very sweet with a hint of acidity.
• Recommended rootstocks : Citrange, Citrumelo.

This variety is ideal for those who want to grow high-value mandarins. Agrumiverse recommends this variety for growers looking to diversify their production, especially nurserymen or resellers .

Ortanique (Sweet Orange x Mandarin)

• Characteristics : Large, flattened, juicy fruits, thick skin that is difficult to peel.
• Recommended rootstocks : Forner Alcaide 5 (FA5), Poncirus trifoliata "Flying Dragon".

Ortanique is appreciated for its robustness and productivity, particularly suited to citrus orchard managers in the south of France.

The role of rootstock in mandarin cultivation

The choice of rootstock is crucial for the productivity and disease resistance of mandarin trees. Citrus growing experts Agrumiverse recommends rootstocks adapted to the specific needs of southern French soils.

Rootstocks for calcareous soils

For slightly calcareous soils, Citrange C35 or FA5 are the most suitable choices. These rootstocks allow mandarin trees to thrive despite the challenges of soil composition.

Rootstocks for cold soils

In areas where temperatures can drop in winter, Poncirus trifoliata is recommended for its high hardiness. This rootstock is a common choice for arborists in mountainous or cold-prone areas.

Tips for choosing the best mandarin tree variety

• Consult local citrus experts : They can provide valuable information on which varieties are best suited to your region and growing conditions.
• Visit citrus orchards : Observe the different varieties in production, talk with growers to better understand the benefits and challenges of each variety.
• Consider the soil type : If your soil is chalky or very wet, choose a resistant variety and rootstock.

Agrumiverse, as a technical advisor in citrus cultivation , offers dedicated technical support to help you choose the best variety and rootstock suitable for your operation.

Conclusion: Which variety of mandarin tree should you choose for the south of France?

Choosing a mandarin tree variety for the South of France requires taking several criteria into account, including cold resistance, the desired harvest period and the soil type. Varieties such as Satsuma , Moncalina and Nova are perfectly suited to Mediterranean conditions. By also choosing an appropriate rootstock , such as Citrange C35 or Poncirus trifoliata , you will optimize the productivity and health of your trees. Agrumiverse, as a supplier for professional citrus growers , offers a wide range of citrus varieties and offers delivery throughout France , thus facilitating your supply of quality plants.

FAQ

What is the most cold-resistant variety of mandarin tree?

Satsuma mandarin trees are known for their excellent cold hardiness, making them ideal for the cooler climates of southern France.

What is the best rootstock for slightly calcareous soils?

Citrange C35 or FA5 are the recommended rootstocks for slightly calcareous soils. Agrumiverse, a supplier of citrus plants , offers these rootstocks for better adaptation of the trees.

Which variety of mandarin tree produces the sweetest fruit?

The Nova variety is known for producing very sweet fruit with a hint of acidity. This variety is ideal for growers looking for premium quality mandarins.

What rootstock should I use for mandarin trees in cold regions?

Poncirus trifoliata is the best choice for colder regions due to its high hardiness. Agrumiverse recommends this rootstock for growers in cooler areas.

Is the Ortanique variety suitable for commercial production?

Yes, the Ortanique variety is ideal for commercial production due to its large, juicy fruits and resistance. It is particularly suitable for citrus orchard managers .

How to choose the best mandarin tree variety for clay soil?

For clay soil, it is recommended to choose a variety resistant to excess humidity, such as Moncalina , combined with a suitable rootstock such as Citrange C35 .