how does northern grown citrus fruit taste?

17 years ago

I plan on getting an oroblanco grapefruit and maybe a sutsuma mandarin or a trovita orange. Can they really get sweet in wisconsin or will I be eating sour fruit?

What I would really love to get is a rio red grapefruit. Is that a dream?

What fruit is recommened?

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Comments (5)

silica
17 years ago
A Satsuma in Wisconsin should do fine. The Oroblanco, because it is a grapefruit hybrid will require a higher heat and humidity level in order to attain a high level of soluble solids (sugars), but still might be worth growing. Mandarins or Satsumas make good container trees and should do well in Wisconsin when grown by container culture.
rickjames
17 years ago
Actually, Oroblancos do not have a very high heat requirement. I live in a low-heat and low-humidity climate and have obtained pretty good fruit from Oroblanco and expect that to improve as the tree ages. Same with Trovita. I like both of those cultivars--they are not very picky and respond nicely to neglect, which is my favorite method of arboriculture nowadays :) (alphadog u know why)
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citrusnut
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you Silica and Rick. Sounds real good to me. Now I just need to figure out with one to order first.
Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
17 years ago
I love my Satsuma. For me the fruits ripen relatively eary -- over Fall and into Winter indoors. And they are sweet, easy to peel and seedless. What more could you want? The plants can also take some chill outside in the Fall. They're not nearly as tender as, say Key Lime. Satsumas are among the most hardy of the edible commercial citrus. The only possible downside is the fruits reputedly don't 'store' well on the tree for a long time (unlike grapefruit)...and they tend to bear seasonally (as opposed to Meyer Lemon which can flower and fruit any time of the year).
I also have a Ruby Red Grapefruit in a container. I leave the fruit to ripen much of the winter and it gets sweet with time. With more heat it likely would have ripened earlier. Also, indoors it does not get that red coloration, but I don't care.

I've heard good things about Oroblanco (which I believe is a hybrid between a white grapefruit and Siamese Sweet pummelo). Generally pummelos don't need as much heat to sweeten up.

I also have Meyer lemon and Ponderosa lemon. Lemons are great, but don't compare with Satsumas in my opinion.

No experience with Trovita.

So, if I had to choose only one citrus to grow, it would probably be a Satsuma! Just one more opinion!

I would make sure you have a bright spot indoors for it.
citrusnut
Original Author
17 years ago
Dave, thanks so much for the info. It is great news that grapefruit can sweeten up over time even up north. On that note I just might add the rio red grapefruit to my list and just give it more time.

I will be ordering the satsuma and the oro blanco soon.

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how does northern grown citrus fruit taste?

Comments (5)

silica

rickjames

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citrusnut
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Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A

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how does northern grown citrus fruit taste?

Comments (5)

silica

rickjames

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citrusnutOriginal Author

Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A

citrusnutOriginal Author

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