What kind of mandarin tree will do well in container in sf bayar?

13 years ago

I am in the sf bayarea, San Carlos - not as hot as San Jose and not as cool as San Francisco. I like seedless mandarins, the best to describe it is the mandarins like "Cuties" that you buy in the store.

I am wondering if mandarins do well in containers, and what kind are suitable for containers.

Thank you for your help!

(sorry, I also cross-posted on the Citrus forum)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
13 years ago
The Owari Satsuma Mandarin you could grow in a half barrel. It is not near as tender as most citrus, survived 14 degree temps here with no damage to the tree. Only gets about 5 feet tall here and is heavy with fruit every year. Al
sonaliagrawal
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you for your response. How tall would the satsuma get in a wine barrel planter? Also, would it still produce decent amount of fruit (of course not as much as when planted in ground) ?
Related Discussions
What kind of Mandarin variety will do well in container?
Q
Comments (2)
An Owari Satsuma mandarin would be a good choice. They are very cold hardy, seedless and very delicious. The are vigorous, but naturally stay small. They have a lovely spreading, drooping habit making them very lovely ornamental trees. The fruit doesn't store well on the tree - they get kind of baggy - but they DO store well after picking. Another option would be a Clementine mandarin, but it can sometimes have seeds (more so if there's a cross pollinator in the vicinity). It is pretty in a container, though, and stores better on the tree. And "Cuties" cover about 4 or 5 different varieties, depending on the season. It is merely a marketing term used to market mandarins over a wide season. Clementines are often one of the "Cuties". I think there was a discussion on this forum a while back about this term you might want to search and read. Patty S.
...See More
tango mandarin tree?
Q
Comments (5)
I saw these at Lowe's last summer and bought two of them for $2 each - yeah, two dollars. I figured I couldn't go wrong and may even see some fruit. But, I had to bring them inside over the winter and am just about ready to put them outside in a few weeks (April) as it is now warming up here in the western NC mountains. One of the trees just started developing flowers, and man they smell so nice. Very fragrent. Been reading about this variety, Tango Mandarin and have learned they generally grow outside in zones 8 and higher (warmer). So, I guess I'll just transfer them in and out as the seasons come and go.
...See More
What is on my Owari mandarin leaves?
Q
Comments (7)
The problem with CLM (which is what you have) is that it will spread to all your citrus plants. The good news is that it deforms the leaves, but has no other effect on the plant so you can ignore it - it is just cosmetic. Last year I bought a Cara Cara orange tree from Four Winds (I am a great fan of this local company in my area) and it came home with CLM. And spread to each and every citrus tree. I blame Four Winds for bad quality, but I will still buy future trees from them because their trees do well for me, generally. The good thing is, all the CLM bugs died over the winter and since I got no infected trees this year, there is no infection yet in my yard. CLM is not easy to cure - but it will not bother your plant in any way.
...See More
Plant mandarin trees and Meyer lemon close to fence?
Q
Comments (21)
I don't have a current pic, but here are the two I potted and started training on espalier. They have rain "hats" from the expected heavy rain. South espalier is Bearss Lime, North espalier is Gold Nugget. Both standards. The middle is Thornless Lime, which will naturally stay small. I kept them mobile while I played with positioning against the wall and ensured there was enough sun for them to thrive. You can see the neighbors house 10' East of the wall. My house is 10' West but has a gable roof instead of the hip roof on that house. That makes the roof taller at the peak in the middle. I thought I would address some other points. I'm in SoCal at the base of the east-west San Gabriel Mountains on the Los Angeles - San Bernardino County line where it is hot and sunny. Mostly sunny in the winter also, where we probably have more sun intensity times hours in the winter than the upper midwest does in summer. I have been unable to get any citrus espaliered against a south facing wall to survive as they get cooked in the heat. The standards are doing better than the semi-dwarfs as they have a central trunk and the semi-dwarfs are trained by the grower into a bush. It is easier to get the standards growing flatter against the wall. If you try to plant the typical semi-dwarf 10-12" from the wall, you are going to have pretty much destroy the plant. I would check the foundation of your wall. I was able to get the trunks of these 10" from the wall because that wall was built in 1970. The block wall on the other other side of the house was built under the current requirements in California so has a foundation that comes out 1' from the wall. A 2' wide planter will be fine for small citrus but you need to give them more surface area along the wall and make sure the soil is not too dense. Citrus need some air to the roots. As you can see from the digging, I removed all the rocks and added a bunch of pumice and turface.
...See More
bahia
13 years ago
I'd suggest two that I have used in large pots, (larger than 1/2 oak wine barrels), and are doing really well and sweet, bountiful fruit here in the East Bay would include Mandarin 'Gold Nugget' and 'California Honey', both from Monterey Bay Nursery in Watsonville. The Dancy tangerine is another good one for containers. Given that they will have more fruit in a larger sized pot, don't go cheap and too small. Check out their web site for lots of great info at: www.monterybaynsy.com
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
13 years ago
You will get plenty of fruit, we never use all of ours. You can leave it on the tree for at least 2 to 3 months using it as needed. Size and shape are easily maintained by pruning. In a container regular feeding will be required and your mix used will need to hold up for at least 5 years without a drainage problem. Al
sonaliagrawal
Original Author
13 years ago
Al - do you suggest using a 5-1-1 or gritty mix or something different?
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
13 years ago
sonaliagrawal, either will work that long, it is the bark that will break down over time. I would be sure the bark is not too small to start. Al
homey_bird
13 years ago
Thanks for starting this thread. I too had wondered about this. I already have a Valencia Dwarf orange tree in a pot and I'm looking for a mandarin to be started in another, and just like you I'm a Cuties fan!

Checking out Monterey Bay Nursery, it seems like those guys only deal in wholesale and perhaps with professionals. (not sure if I misinterpreted but this seemed to be the case).

I've purchased dwarf citruses in the past from Four Winds Growers (they retail at Summerwinds, OSH and Lowe's etc). My experience with their trees has been great. I learnt about them on GW and lots of folks have had very good experience with their trees.

If you choose to purchase from a particular place, please do share the information and pictures (of your container) too! Good luck!!
bahia
13 years ago
Monterey Bay Nursery is wholesale, but they supply all of the local Bay Area retail nurseries, as well as places like OSH. I referenced their web site because they have such a wealth of great information.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES How to Keep Your Citrus Trees Well Fed and Healthy

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Ripe for some citrus fertilizer know-how? This mini guide will help your lemon, orange and grapefruit trees flourish

Full Story

PAINTING Bulletproof Decorating: How to Pick the Right Kind of Paint

By Fred Albert

Choose a paint with some heft and a little sheen for walls and ceilings with long-lasting good looks. Here are some getting-started tips

Full Story

149

FARM YOUR YARD How to Grow Vegetables in Containers

By Annie Thornton

Get glorious vegetables and fruits on your patio with a pro’s guidance — including his personal recipe for potting mix

Full Story

113

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow 10 Favorite Fruit Trees at Home

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant a mini orchard in fall, winter or early spring to enjoy fresh-off-the-tree fruit the following year

Full Story

FARM YOUR YARD If You Have Room for Only One Fruit Tree ...

By Bill Marken

Juice up a small garden with one of these easier-care or worth-the-effort fruit trees for a mild climate

Full Story

HOLIDAYS Houzz Call: Show Us Your Christmas Tree!

By Mary Jo Bowling

How lovely are your branches? Post a picture and share your stories

Full Story

780

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: New Zealand Tea Tree

By Annie Thornton

Balance pretty polish and ruggedness in a temperate garden with this low-maintenance and drought-tolerant flowering shrub

Full Story

HOUZZ TOURS 13 Character-Filled Homes Between 1,000 and 1,500 Square Feet

By Mitchell Parker

See how homeowners have channeled their creativity into homes that are bright, inviting and one of a kind

Full Story

125

SMALL HOMES Houzz Tour: Sustainable, Comfy Living in 196 Square Feet

By Vanessa Brunner

Solar panels, ship-inspired features and minimal possessions make this tiny Washington home kind to the earth and cozy for the owners

Full Story

220

SPRING GARDENING Top 10 Scented Plants for Your Garden

By Carol Bucknell Garden Design

A palette of perfumed plants can transform even the smallest of gardens into a sensory delight

Full Story

113

What kind of mandarin tree will do well in container in sf bayar?

Comments (8)

calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9

sonaliagrawal
Original Author

Related Discussions

bahia

calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9

sonaliagrawal
Original Author

calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9

homey_bird

bahia

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

What kind of mandarin tree will do well in container in sf bayar?

Comments (8)

calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9

sonaliagrawalOriginal Author

Related Discussions

bahia

calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9

sonaliagrawalOriginal Author

calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9

homey_bird

bahia

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

sonaliagrawal
Original Author

sonaliagrawal
Original Author