Citrus x tangelo
Family: Rutaceae

Tangelo is a cross between mandarin and grape-fruit. The fruit is a rich, bright orange, with a smooth skin, many varieties having a pro­nounced neck segment. It is very juicy, and dif­ferent varieties have very distinctive flavors.

The cultivar 'Minneola' was bred in the US in 1931. It matures in mid to late winter and has a distinctive, but slight, grapefruit flavor. 'Seminole' has the same parentage as 'Minneola', but is later maturing, ripening in spring. Both mandarin and grapefruit flavors can be detected in the fruit. The fruit of tange­los does not peel as easily as a mandarin. Other varieties include 'Orlando' and 'Sampson'.

Cultivation

Like all citrus, tangelos must have perfectly drained soil, preferably enriched with organic matter, and full sun exposure. Trees should be sheltered from strong winds. They are not grown on their own roots, but budded on to selected rootstocks resistant to root rot­ting fungi and some virus diseases. In the grow­ing season, give regular, deep waterings. Fertilize with a complete plant food containing trace elements in late winter and late spring, or early summer. Pruning is rarely needed beyond thinning out the canopy and removing cross­ing branches. Prune in cooler weather, as prun­ing in hot weather may expose previously shaded branches to sun scald. Tangelos can be grown in zone 9, but in cooler zones, grow in a cool or intermediate greenhouse, in pots of soil-based potting compost. Plants need maximum light, but shade from direct strong sun. They can be stood outside in summer if it is warm and sunny. Outdoors tangelos must have per­fectly drained soil enriched with organic matter, and a sheltered position in full sun.

Climate

Zone 9. Trees can tolerate light frosts but must be protected when young.