Ventura Lemandarin

Lemandarin is a cross between Citrus tiawanica x (Keraji or Satsuma) It looks like a satsuma.  Resistant to soil diseases that have killed my other seedlings.  Vigorous. 

From the breeder:  As far as hardiness my seedling Lemandarin never flinched in the cold weather until this past brutal weather. It survived at least to I think 11°F, -12°C degrees and a few 13°F and 14°F, -11 and -10°C events in the past. This winter it reached its max tolerable temp where it died at 5.5°F, -15°C on its own roots. Less than a foot away I had a back up graft of it on flying dragon about 4 feet up that defoliated with branch die back but is growing back very well. I can attest to that at least when high grafted it can at least withstand about 6°F, -14°C.

May come true from seed.

Mild lemon flavor.

Update: January 21, 2020
Eyeckr provided another fruit.  Smell is good.  Taste is excellent, like an orange with some lemon.   Brix 13.3  Peels more easily than a mandarin.  2 3/4 inch, 7 cm diameter.  3.8 oz, 108 gms. 28 seeds.  Skin bitter. 

Where to buy

USA:

  New:  Simply Citrus Nursery 
     In Columbia SC


All kinds of hardy citrus in SC, Stan is a great guy:  Mckenzie Farms

Huge assortment of plants grown from seed in SC: Woodlanders

Hardy Citrumelo:   Chilly Palms

Citrus in Virginia: Pungo Palms

Another Citrumelo: Logees

Eight kinds of hardy citrus in Ca: Rolling River Nursery

A few from Tennessee:  Ponds n Plants

Three mandarin in NJ:  Triple Oaks

Flying Dragon in NC: Useful Plants

Sudac and others:  One Green World

Satsumas and more: 
Hardy citrus restricted to Fl:  Just Fruits and Exotics

Yuzu and mandarin and more in Ca:  Four Winds Growers


Europe:

Czech:  Exoticke Erostliny

             Good source of information

            Adavo

 Germany:  Flora Toskana

France:  Jardinerie Riera
              La Pépinière du Bosc
              Le Monde de Agrumes Baches
           
Italy: Oscar Tintori

         AgrumiLenzi

Netherlands: Citrus BaLi

Spain:  Citrus and Life

 Switzerland:  Eisenhut

Changsha

Changsha is one of the hardiest of the mandarins.  May have C. ichangensis in background.  Survives short freezes of  13°F, -11°C F with no loss of leaves, reports it survives 6°F, -14°C [4] p. 28 and also dying at that same temperature [5] .  Generally considered hardy to 10°F, -12°C [4] p. 14.  It is very seedy and the flavor is bland, low acid.  Honey Changsha is a selection with better flavor, at least some seedlings are zygotic. It has about 25 seeds per fruit.

Honey Changsha

Seedless Changsha News 

In 2003 Dr. Wayne Hanna at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus started working on a seedless Changsha.[1]  He exposed seed to gamma radiation to induce sterility.  Dr. Hanna[2] and his fruit[3].  Dr. Hanna at the 2013 Citrus Expo in Alabama said it was still a couple of years away from introduction.

A seedless Changsha, cold hardy seedless lemon and seedless grapefruit is now available  
but only for sale in Georgia.

• ‘Sweet Frost’ is an irradiated Changsha mandarin with two to three seeds per fruit. It has a Brix range of 11-12, it is very easy peel, well-colored, and matures (in GA) in November or December.
• ‘Grand Frost’ is an irradiated Ichang lemon. This is a large lemon (25 centimeters to 28 cm in circumference) with about 8 Brix and high juice content. It has nice, bright-yellow color and a maturity range of November through January.
• ‘Pink Frost’ is a red grapefruit, with characteristics not dissimilar to ‘Ruby Red,’ but with somewhat deeper color. It averages 30 cm to 35 cm in circumference, has Brix 8-11, and matures (in GA) November through March. It averages three seeds per fruit. This variety was identified in Georgia. It was a high seed fruit, with approximately 60 seeds before being irradiated.[4]

Razzlequat or Coachella Eremolemon

Citrus (Eremocitrus) glauca x ?

Hardy at least to 13°F, -11°C

There is a lot of confusion as to the origin of this variety.  It was named Razzlequat in the Oregon Exotics Catalog, which suggests one parent is a kumquat, but the catalog's author identified it as 'Eremocitrus x C. Limona Meyer'.[1]   Mislabeling continued in 'Hardy Citrus of the Southeast' Kumquat x Eremocitrus glauca[2] p.26.

Swingle called it a "Eremolemon [Eremocitrus glauca X Citrus limon 'Meyer lemon']." [3] and the UCR website takes its information from him [4]

It now appears that it is a cross with a grapefruit.[5]

Hardiness testing in Savannah Georgia showed it to be one of the hardiest varieties tested.   Surviving 13°F, -11°C with poor acclimation better than Yuzu and Ichang papeda.[6] Since Yuzu is considered to be hardy to 10°F, -12°C it should survive lower temperatures.  Perhaps it maintains dormancy longer than Yuzu and Ichang papeda when exposed to warmer weather. 

Plant is very thorny.  Flavor is sour. Very rare.

Pictures courtesy Virginia Fruit Grower
 

Virginia Fruit Grower Video

 

Ten-Degree Tangerine aka Clem-Yuz 2-2 or Clem-Yuz 3-3

1/2 Clementine, 1/2 Yuzu

Citrus reticulata x (C. ichangensis x C. reticulata)

Originally thought to refer to Clem-Yuz 3-3, there is confusion and it may also refer to Clem-Yuz 2-2.

Hardy to 10°F, -12°C perhaps to 5°F, -15

°C

Ten-Degree Tangerine may refer to either Clem-Yuz 2-2 or Clem-Yuz 3-3.  Clem-Yuz 2-2 is a much earlier ripening fruit and is said to be better tasting by one grower.  Clem-Yuz 3-3 can have a kerosene aftertaste.  However Dr. Brown the originator preferred 3-3

"This plant, otherwise know as Clem-Yuz 3-3 is one of a number of Clementine X Yuzu hybrids produced by Dr. Brown during the late 1960s...semi-deciduous...blooming and fruiting after 80 to 130 hours of continuous subfreezing weather with minimum temperatures of 10 F or lower...Fruit ripens relatively late, in mid-December, in Texas, when it attains quality better than that of supermarket tangerines...the fruit matures into a sprightly flavored tangerine"[1] p. 30
“The rind is orange and smooth...If self pollinated the fruit is nearly seedless.  But otherwise has 8-20 large, plump seeds per fruit, seeds appear to be a mix of monoembryonic and polyembryonic types...unripe fruit has an excellent lime-like flavor...(fruit) will keep for several months under refrigeration.”[2] p. 48 

At the Stan Mckenzie orchard in SC in March 2014, Ten-Degree Tangerine looked much better than Owari.  Trees still had their leaves, while Owari was mostly defoliated with stem die back.   

Note on 11/13/15  Picked the only fruit on 3-3.  Small and immature.  Skin color half turned from green to yellow. Interior color pale yellow.  Flavor very good, tastes as good as some store bought, brix 9.5.  Fruit was cross-pollinated. 12 seed. 

Single Clem Yuz 3-3 picked on December 15, 2016.  Color is not as orange as expected based on Dr. Brown description. Skin is smooth, compare with 
2-2


December 1, 2017, picked 1 fruit.  Brix 12.  Slightly tart, but good flavor. 





Clem-Yuz 2-2

The fruit is large tangerine size...juice is sweetish with a mild tangerine flavor that has a trace of kerosene; but there is no gum or bitterness.  Each segment has 1-2 seeds which are moderately large...Although the peel is corky, it is edible because it lacks the intense acrid bitterness seen in most citrus...Fruit is borne at branch tips near the outside of the tree, and is ripe by mid-October.

At best, fruit is a pale, juicy, seedy, low-flavored mandarin, but in many years it is dry and juiceless.  Tree is productive, withstands 5 - 10 degrees F.[2]  pp. 48 & 50  

An experienced hobbiest believes this is an excellent flavored fruit,  and the early ripening period is an added benefit. Personal observation, pleasant tasting.

2-2, very loose skin, photo taken November 19, 2016

Taitri

Citrus trifoliata x C. taiwanica

Hardy to 0°F, -18°C

"A hybrid known as Tatri, of seed acquired by Bill Chapman from Dr. Soost, then at U.C Riverside, is known to be C. taiwanica x P. trifoliata, and quite hardy.  My seven in Franklin survived with only minor damage at one degree above zero, likewise one at Houston at five degrees above.  Bill Chapman agrees the juice of this hybrid is sweeter with less of the objectionable flavor than any other 50% P. trifoliata hybrid.  A recent re-test comparing Taitri#1 with Citemsweet (both were admittedly frost damaged to 23° F and only Taitri #1 had fully colored) found them quite close, indistinguishable to my taste.  No positive or negative comments arose in a taste test in Houston on November 30, 1991. "[1] p. 14

Some seeds are zygotic.

This is a mild improvement, and not directly edible.  It does have some trifoliate scent but mostly lemon fragrance from the Tiawanica and luckily the resin, funk and oils are not present like in regular trifoliate.  Being deciduous it should be hardier much further north, probably hardier than other 50% hybrids that are not trifoliate.

Hanna Tokyo Pummelo

Citrus grandis (maxima) 'Hanna Tokyo'

Hardy to 10°F, -12°C 

There is one pummelo (pomelo, pommelo) that has been known to survive 0°F, -18°C degrees and come back. The Tokyo Pummelo, a.k.a. Hanna Pummelo, was brought back from Japan in the early 1980's by Dr. Wayne Hanna by way of seed. The mother plant was covered in snow and was full of fruit which caught his attention. He sent seed back to himself and planted it in his yard. Although a very vigorous grower it was set back some years ago after it froze back in 0°F, -18°C weather.

Fruit is the size of a grapefruit, mild flavor.

Sanford Curafora

(Poncirus x Orange) x mandarin?

1/4 poncirus, 1/4 orange, 1/2 mandarin
or 
1/4 poncirus 1/2 orange, 1/4 mandarin

(Citrus trifoliata x C. sinensis 'Ruby') 'Sanford' x C. reticulata?   


Hardy to 17°F, -8°C, or 10°F, -12°C 

Sanford Curafora  is a seedling of an open pollinated Sanford Citrange.  It was selected by Dr. Edwin Frey of Switzerland. The pollen parent is unknown, it is obviously a kind of mandarin, and Bernhard Voss has suggested it is a Clementine.  The whole habit of the plant is mandarin like. The leaves are thin, dark green and attractive, more long than broad and look like mandarin leaves, except for some bi- and trifoliate leaves that sometimes occur. Young growth is frost tolerant. 

Tree sets flowers abundantly, fruits should be thinned,  otherwise it will get only male flowers the next year. The flowers are very fragrant and look more like citrus flowers than Poncirus. The stamens stand free as in Poncirus. They have a lot of pollen and also plenty of nectar.  Perhaps self incompatible, but will set seed with other pollen, indicating perhaps male parent was Clementine. Fruit is  juicy, sweet and with good Clementine aroma. Peel-ability varies. No Poncirus taste. Fruit are late ripening, as late as March, but may be picked as early as December in warmer climates. Similar information plus photographs [1] 

Clementine is either a tangor (orange x mandarin) or  mandarin [2]
When grafted in August, or later, first growths are flowers.  Plants are slow growers.

More comments from May 14, 2014 [3]

Cold Hardiness Table

After a severe winter with a low of 6 F, -14.4 C, Eyeckr reported on the condition of his plants.[1]  This table is derived from his report.  Many thanks for this invaluable information.

3/27/17:
After an extended warm period which saw some citrus setting out new growth, the temperature dropped to 21 F on 3/16/17.  Most citrus saw death of older leaves, in an erratic pattern.  In semi order of hardiness, from high to low.

LEAVES RETAINED:
MIC
Taichang Lemon
Clem-Yuz 2-2
Calamandarin
Nippon Orangequat
Morton
Ventura Lemandarin
Changsha
Thomasville Citrangequat

MIXED:
Juanita
Sunki Kat Mandarin
Ci Clem 10 Golden Lime
SRA 92

LEAVES LOST:
Kimbrough
Taiwanica
Shekwasha
Panzarella Orange
Clemnule
Sancitchang
Ujukitsu
Glen Citrangedin
Hanna Tokyo Pummelo

These results indicate that the plants which remained dormant longest are the most resistant to damage.

Varieties not included here are those that are deciduous or semi-deciduous

And finally,
Comparing Yuzu with Ichang papeda, Yuzu is hardier, Ichang had stem die back and is less vigorous.
These are just basic observations based on small numbers of plants and limited cultural conditions.  Other years/conditions might yield different results.


Extensive list of cold tolerant citrus  Poncirus  data is wrong

US 852

A cross between Changsha mandarin and Poncirus 

1/2 Poncirus, 1/2 Mandarin

Citrus reticulata 'Changsha' x C. trifoliata 'English Large Flowered'

Crosses between mandarins (satsumas) and hardy oranges are called citrandarins.  Citrandarins are some of the hardiest 50% crosses because of the cold tolerance of the mandarin, and Changsha is one of the most cold tolerant of all mandarins.

It was developed as a citrus rootstock.  Patented and released in 1999.  It is Phytophthora resistant, Nematode resistant, and has superior yield when compared to most other rootstocks.

It has fewer seeds per fruit than is desired for a rootstock and about half the seed is zygotic, i. e., does not come true. [1]
Fewer seeds per fruit and zygotic nature of some seedlings have piqued the interest of people looking to grow more cold tolerant citrus. 

A zygotic seedling or mutation of US 852 growing in Northern Virginia [2]  withstood 0°F, -18°C [3], it died to the ground in the severe winter of 2014-2015, it did resprout from the roots.  There was one several years old in Philadelphia, and at least one is grew in New Jersey.  The Northern Virginia tree has almost no Poncirus bitterness [5]

Seedlings of US 852 or from a similar cross [8] are growing in Europe, labeled HRS 899 [6][7]  They have been labeled HRS 899 a, b, c, etc.  They have varying degrees of hardiness, leaf shape, and taste.

Leaves are attractive, shape is distinctive, center leaflet has a longer center than other trifoliate hybrids.   Leaves are also thicker than most citrus and have crenulate margins.

Some spines are long, over 4"or 10 cm in length, but thinner than Poncirus. 

Picked first fruit in November 2016.  Fruit were puberlulent (faint fuzz) from Poncirus parent.  High sugars and high acidity, pronounced bitterness from Poncirus.  When diluted and sweetened like lemons are able to make a pleasant tasting  'ade'.   Brix 14, sour similar to lemon.