Open Access For Citrus Growth

The W-Murcott is planted extensively in California and most other mandarin producing areas of the world. This variety shows little to no resemblance to the Murcott (Honey Tangerine), other than in name. The W-Murcott is known for high early production, high quality, easy peel, and the potential for a low-seed count. There are only a couple commercial plantings of W-Murcott in Florida, the most significant in north Lake County, with several known smaller plantings in Indian River, St. Lucie, and Hendry counties (and assorted small trials). W-Murcott will pass maturity in late November down south, and is generally a December through January tangerine elsewhere. Experiments with this variety in the Indian River area have not been conclusive, but several growers remain interested. The trees will trend toward over-production if not pruned and thinned. The fruit seems to size about like a Sunburst, are very easy peel, handle well post-harvest, and have good flavor and easy segment separation. If grown near other viable pollen, this fruit will have seed. Seed count varies from four to 15 in presence of pollen. If grown in isolation or netted, it can be very low seeded or seedless. The W-Murcott is openly available to nurseries through DPI. The Tango is the seedless version of the W-Murcott and is available through contract with NVDMC.

Temples were an important specialty Florida citrus variety for decades. Issues with high seed count and scab caused demand to decline. A private Miami citrus breeder discovered what was eventually named the Thoro Temple in 1942. The fruit was found to be seedless through successive propagations. The variety was successfully patented in 1977, though the patent is now expired. The Thoro Temple is successfully exported from South Africa as the Scarlett Mandarin to the U.S. and Europe. NVDMC trial trees planted on the Ridge have fruited this year for the first time. Fruit in Vero Beach is expected next year. The first fruit picked were not seedless, but were quite low-seeded compared with the standard Temple. The fruit looks like a Temple, peels reasonably well, and tastes like a Temple. In the presence of viable pollen, early fruit has had two to five seeds. Fruit may be seedless in isolation or solid plantings. Budwood is available from DPI. Rucks Citrus Nursery has small numbers of trees for trial.

As was mentioned in the December 2010 edition of the Citrus Nursery Source, there are several newer (to Florida) navel selections available. Two of them are listed as somewhat earlier maturing, and are public domain. The Fisher Navel is slightly earlier than the Washington and Glenn. The Fukumoto Navel (Japanese) should be slightly earlier than the Fisher. Budwood for each is available through DPI. The Fukumoto does have some rootstock incompatibilities, so seek advice before propagating.

The Cadenera is a small-sized sweet orange of Spanish origin (around 1870). This orange is generally seedless and has very good flavor. Maturity would be around November through December. The variety is good for fresh fruit sales and fresh juice, but off-flavors were detected when pasteurized. USDA-ARS has a mature tree at its A.H. Whitmore Foundation Farm in Leesburg. DPI maintains budwood for this variety.

Long Shots

Finger Limes

Seedless Kishu

Pixie Mandarin