2019 Citrus Tree Sale List

CITRUS

There are 4 major groups of citrus: grapefruit, lemon, lime and oranges. Oranges are subdivided into sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis) and the grouping of mandarins/satsumas/tangerines (C. reticulata). Over the past years, there have been hundreds of cultivars developed that gardeners can choose from. All citrus require full sun. Some citrus tree seeds can grow true to parent, producing the same fruit you currently enjoy, you will, however, wait 6-7 years to eat your first fruit. Individuals are recommended to get a grafted tree and start enjoying fruit the next year after planting. Citrus fruit begins to mature in October. On average, one can pick and eat fruits into February each year. One concern for home gardeners is the survival of trees after "hard freezes" lasting at least 3 continuous days.

• Citron Buddha Hand (NEW VARIETY) -- Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis or the fingered citron is a large thorny evergreen shrub or small tree 10-15 feet tall. The fruit is segmented into finger-like sections with a floral fragrance used mainly for its zest and peel.


• Clementine, Algerian Tangerine -- A clementine is a tangor, a hybrid between a willowleaf mandarin orange and a sweet orange, so named in 1902. The exterior is a deep orange color with a smooth, glossy appearance. Clementines can be separated into 7 to 14 segments. Similar to tangerines, they tend to be easy to peel. They are typically juicy and sweet, with less acid than oranges. Their oils, like other citrus fruits, contain mostly limonene as well as myrcene, linalool and many complex aromatics.


• Grapefruit, Bloomsweet Hybrid (Kinkoji) -- A Bloomsweet Hybrid (Kinkoji) is a grapefruit hybrid mix of mandarin, pumello and grapefruit. The oblong yellow friut is larger than most grapefruits, it has an easy to peel thin skin with a sweet white flesh. Fruit ripens from November to April. It is self-fertile and Cold Hardy for 10-15 Deg. F in Growing Zones 8-10. It grows to a height of 12 Ft. with a width of 8-10 Ft. and needs part to full sun.


• Grapefruit, cocktail -- Also known as "Mandelo"; a cross between cultivar 'Frua Mandarin' and 'Pummelo'. An exceptionally sweet and juicy fruit with a thin, deep yellow skin, is extremely succulent. The taste of this cultivar is unparalleled, sub-acid flavor. The trees are large and active growers while producing heavy yields. The longer the fruit hangs on the tree the sweeter the fruit becomes.


• Grapefruit, Rio Red -- Derived from cultivar 'Ruby Red', a grapefruit that started the Texas industry. Discovered as a chance mutation in the valley in 1929 and was the first grapefruit to receive a patent trademark 'Rio Red' is also marketed as 'Rio Star'. 'Rio Red' has a smooth, thin yellow rind blushed with red once mature. Flesh is deep red and juicy with few seeds. Ripens mid to late November. Holds well on the tree through February.


• Lemon, Frost Eureka - TRIFOLIATE Rootstock -- Eureka lemon trees are classed as true lemons. along with Lisbon lemon trees. Meyer lemon trees, on the other hand, are not classified as true lemons because they are a hybrid, produced from the crossing of a true lemon with an orange or tangerine cultivar. The Eureka, is produced a lot in the Mediterranean, is known for its smooth skin and round structure. The world's most-produced fruit, the Eureka lemon is superior to other lemons in terms of appearance even if it is smaller by comparison. It has a lot of juice while its skin is of medium thickness. This type of lemon starts being harvested in January. Among lemons, it is called the prince of lemons.


• Lemon, Improved Meyer -- 'Improved Meyer Lemon' is not a true lemon. Scientists believe the varietal is a cross between a lemon and an orange. It is called 'improved' because of it's resistance to citrus tristeza virus. Absolutely tasty in a homemade lemon pie. It may set fruit throughout the year. The dwarf form is estimated to grow 5 feet, grafted onto Flying Dragon root stock. More cold tolerant than most lemon species, but needs to be covered at temperatures below 20 degrees F.


• Lemon, Variegated Pink -- A lemon cultivar with unique pink flesh, a green-striped rind when ripening, and variegated foliage; a unique ornamental when not in fruit. When fully ripe, the stripes fade, and the rind turns yellow with distinct pink oil glands. Low-seeded and very acidie. Agriculture zones 9 and 10.


• Lime, Australian Finger (NEW VARIETY) -- Nicknamed 'the Caviar of Fruit', the tart, juicy beads contained within the Finger Lime have a resemblance to the world's most famous delicacy, except this caviar is bursting with unrivaled citrus taste. Mature height 8 feet pruned, full-partial sun, slow growth rate, harvest time May-June, bears fruit the first year, growing zones 8-11. Grows best between 55 and 85 Deg F.


• Lime, Kaffir -- The Kaffir lime tree (Citrus hystrix), also known as makrut lime, is commonly grown for use in Asian cuisine. While this dwarf citrus tree, reaching up to 5 feet tall, can be grown outdoors (year round in USDA zones 9-10), it is best suited for indoors. The Kaffir lime tree thrives in potted environments and would benefit from placement out on the patio or deck; however, its container needs to provide adequate drainage.


• Lime, Key (Mexican thornless) -- Mexican key lime (Citrus aurantifolia), also known as key lime, bartender’s lime and West Indian lime, is a moderately sized evergreen fruit tree. It grows vigorously once you plant it in the ground, reaching heights of 6 to 13 feet tall. Mexican key lime trees have fragrant flowers with deep green leaves and the yellow-green limes that are about the size of a golf ball. Good for urban balconies and limited-space gardens. Begins bearing small, juicy, thick-skinned fruit at an early age. The Mexican lime blooms/fruits multiple times during the year which almost provides year round fruit. Consider bringing it indoors or providing freeze protection during freezing temperatures.


• Lime, Persian -- The large, green, seedless limes found in your supermarket are the Persian lime (C. latifolia). The fruit is larger than the 'Key Lime', more resistant to disease and pests and has a thicker rind. They turn yellow when fully ripe, and might be confused with lemons. The nearly thornless trees grow vigorously to a large size. They require well drained soil to prevent root rot. Persian lime trees are more cold hardy than the Mexican lime and Key lime. However, damage to the Tahiti Persian lime tree leaves will occur when temperatures drop below 28 degrees F., (-3 C.) trunk damage at 26 degrees F. (-3 C.) and death below 24 degrees F (-4) C.


• Mandarin, Honey -- Small to medium size flat fruit with yellow-orange skin. The fruit is smooth and easy to peel. Has some seeds. Its rich red flesh is honey sweet and juicy, with a lovely fragrance. Frost sensitive. Harvest from August through September.


• Mandarin, Kinnow (NEW VARIETY) -- The Kinnow Madarin has an orange fruit color, ripens from January through March, requires Full Sun, regular watering in a Well-Draining soil with a pH of 7, grows to a height of 15 feet with a spread of 6 feet, may be pruned to a smaller size, is Cold Hardy to 28 Deg. F suitable in a Primary USDA Zone range of 7-10. The white blossoms are fragrant, and the fruit is lower in acid than regular oranges. Kinnow Mandarin is self-fertile, but the fruit crop will be larger if the tree is planted with a second tree.


• Orange, Marrs - Description from The Citrus Industry Vol. 1 (1967): " Fruit medium-large, round to slightly oblate; moderately seedy (depending on pollination). Well-colored under favorable conditions. Rind medium-thick, and surface smooth and finely pitted. Flesh well-colored; juicy, lacking in acid; flavor sweet. Holds well on tree with little loss in quality. Earliest in legal maturity because of low acidity, but for better juice content and quality should be left on tree somewhat later. Tree moderately vigorous, precocious, and prolific. Marked tendency to bear fruit in clusters. Smaller than most other varieties, presumably because of early and heavy bearing. Although propagated to a limited extent earlier, trees were not available for commercial planting until 1940. Because of its early and heavy bearing and good fruit size, Marrs is currently a popular early maturing variety in Texas. Its principal fault for processing is the low acidity of the juice. "

CITRUS--ORANGE

Sweet orange cultivars can be categorized into four distinct groups: round oranges, navel oranges, blood oranges and acid-less oranges (small group). Red pigmentation varies with climate and can be intense when blood oranges are grown in regions with large diurnal fluctuations in temperature.

• Orange, Navel N-33 -- Also known as 'Bond N33'; Texas selection of a mutation off of a 'Marrs' orange. Similar to 'Washington' navel. The fruit of the N-33 Navel Orange tree is a lovely orange color, delicious, easily peeled, seedless fruit. It is produced on a medium sized tree. Matures about Thanksgiving to early December.


• Orange, Taracco Blood -- Native to Italy. flesh color is deep red. Largest fruit size of the blood oranges. Orange rind and flesh develop a red blush when ready. Grows best in warm climates like coastal Texas. This plant is suitable for growing indoors in containers. Self-fertile.


• Orange, Valencia -- Imported into California by 1876. Considered a sweet orange and are juicier than most other varieties. Largest planted citrus in the world, often called "the orange juice of the world". The fruit is almost seedless with only a couple of seeds. Most common orange juice in any supermarket.

CITRUS--SATSUMA

Mandarin is a group name for a class of oranges with a thin, loose peel; dubbed "zip skin" oranges. The name "tangerine" could be applied as an alternate name to the whole group but in the trade it is usually confined to the types with red/orange skin. Satsuma and tangerines tend to "plug" when pulled from the tree; a piece of the peel tears loose from the fruit and remains attached to the stem. One should use a pair of clippers when harvesting any of the satsumas, mandarins or tangerines.

• Satsuma, Owari Frost -- Medium sized, bright orange fruit, often with a slightly bumpy rind. Fruit has an extremely sweet, sprightly flavor and is seedless. Very easy to peel and breaks off into segments. Ripens mid to late October and is often ready to eat when the rind is still green. Fruit holds well on the tree until late December/early January. The primary satsuma cultivar is commercially grown worldwide. Typically grows to 8 feet in height.


• Satsuma,Seto -- Highest quality, most cold tolerant citrus for Texas. Easy to peel, almost seedless, very sweet mandarin orange. Attractive evergreen foliage; white flowers with wonderful fragrance. Recommended cultivars include ‘Miho’ and ‘Seto’. A new hybrid between satsuma mandarin and the more cold hardy Changsha tangerine, ‘Orange Frost’, is now available. Hardiness Zone 9, requires full sun, grows 5 feet tall and 5 feet wide, flowers in spring, fruits ripen in late fall. For care outside of south Texas, grow in a 20–gallon container & move indoors when temperature is 25° F or colder. A Texas Superstar plant.


• Satsuma, Xie Shan -- An early ripening Satsuma. The Xie Shan Satsuma is easy to peel, has a sweet flavor and will fit into tight spots and small gardens. It is the first Satsuma to ripen of the the year. Fruit ripens from October to December. Grows in Zones 9-10, to a height of 12-14 ft. and a width of 8-10 ft. with part to full sun.


• Tangerine, Dancy -- Dancy Tangerines are spicy, with a lower level of acidity than oranges; therefore they have a sweeter flavor, that’s not too sour or bitter. The tree grows to about 10 feet tall. The fruit starts off green and as the fruit reaches maturity they turn a dark shade of red orange when they’re ready to be harvested around March. If you live outside of its recommended growing zones of 9–11, plant your tree in a container and bring it indoors when the weather gets cold.

AVOCADO

Avocados need special care for their first year. Mature Mexican avocado trees can withstand cold temperatures down to 20 Deg F. Recommended to purchase a grafted tree with the cultivar of your choice.

• Avocado, Joey -- Found by Joey Ricers in Uvalde, TX. Small egg-shaped fruit, with a dark purple skin and flavorful nutty flesh. Ripens from August to October. Extremely cold hardy, to 15-18 Deg F.


• Avocado, Lila -- A smaller, semi-dwarf tree very cold hardy down to 15 Deg F. This tree grows to around 10 feet tall at maturity and can be easily maintained at 5 feet. It has medium sized green (6-8oz) fruit, and ripens from July to September. It has a rich nutty flavor.


• Avocado, Mexicola Grande -- The fruit is 15% - 25% larger than Mexicola and somewhat rounder in shape. Turns a deep purple-black at maturity. The flesh has a rich creamy texture. Its flavor is rich, nutty and smooth. A consistent large bearer. Medium size and weighs an average of 4-6 ounces. Ripens from August to October. Hardy to mid-20 Deg F.