Unfortunately, 'Ugli' does not come true-to-type from seed; it's monoembryonic.

We grow 'Ugli' and 'Wekiva'. I'm not impressed with Wekiva; rather like a small Minneola in shape, but not as orange (nearly yellow). Flavor is like a poor grapefruit -- lots of naringin (the bitter aftertaste of grapefrut). It's not horrible, but other than in a variety collection, I'd not recommend it.

Scott, "Citrus Joe" just purchased an Ugli tree from Thompson Nursery in Texas. - Millet

Thanks for the info, Dr. Manners.
Its that bitterness that I really don't like about grapefruit. I've just crossed "wekiva" off of my list.

Thanks for the tip Millet. I shall see if I can hunt Thompsons down on the web.

By the way, if you are looking it up for more info, the correct spelling is "Wekiwa," with a second "w." However, that is pronounced the German way (but the first one is not), so one gets the rather illogical pronunciation "wuh KIE vuh." Schwas for vowels on syllables 1 and 3; long "i" on the second syllable. Weird word.

Harris told me that they'd have Wekiwa large enough to offer next spring, I've already reserved one for myself. Check out Thompson Citrus Nursery (TX)....they have Ugli's in 5's @ a good price and (UPS) shipping is about $12. Nice folks to deal with and fast shipping. When you get to their site go to the "Rio Pride" fruit toggle...it will access their trees. E-mail me if you have questions or problems with their site. Regards, Joe

My wekiwa fruit taste like pummelo with no bitterness and predominately sweet. The fruit is small mandarin in size. Rootstock is swingle. My tree is about 8 feet tall.

Wekiwa Tangelo has one of the highest solubles to acid ratio in the field tests in Southern California, truly very sweet. But how and where the citruses are grown would have a dramatic impact on how they taste.

I just recently noticed Ugli/Uniq fruit appear in my local store, too. It was easy to peel, and had an open core, tiny tiny seeds, was very juicy, but had little or no flavor. Maybe it's not quite the right season yet?

The page linked below has an example of the dramatic differences in the fruit due to differences in climate.

Here is a link that might be useful: English vs. Jamaican Ugli

Wekiwa tangelo is a delicacy for me in Florida. I used to wholesale the fruit back about 2000 or 1999. The fruit was grown in Bartow, FL at a U-pick orchard.When properly tree-ripened to perfection it is very mild flavored but delicious. It is a welcomed change when your taste buds finally get burned out on acid citrus.

Sugarcane52

If you want something grapfruity but non-bitter, keep Wekiwa on your list. The ones I've tasted have been completely non-bitter. I don't dispute the grower who finds his fruit bitter - that's most likely attributed to growing conditions. They make a pretty and flavorful juice, and can stand in for grapefruit in recipes.

The other day I was topworking part of my wekiwa tree to a giant orange, as big as a grapefruit(not because I dislike wekiwa, but the orange is spectacular and I don't have room for another tree). I discovered a fruit still hanging that I missed picking last November. Unbelievably, the fruit was larger, juicier and tasted better than last November. Here is a picture of a panzarella orange next to a navel orange.
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Here is a link that might be useful: giant orange

Hi,

I have a semi-dwarf WEKIWA TANGELO. It was planted two years ago and didn't grow much of it. The leaves are curly and pale green. It doesn't look healthy to me. Do you know how fast it can grow and how long it will grow?

Thanks,
Jeanie