Mandarin Growing Guide

Citrus reticulata

Mandarin

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

Low. Mandarins are semi-tropical trees with some cold tolerance. They are hardy only to about -4°C (25°F).

Feeding

Feed twice a year by spreading a balanced organic fertiliser over the root zone of the tree.

Spacing

Single Plants: 6.00m (19' 8") each way (minimum)
Rows: 6.00m (19' 8") with 6.00m (19' 8") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Better mandarin cultivars are grafted onto rootstocks to improve vigour and pest resistance. Set out purchased plants in late winter or early spring, setting the plant so the root ball is 2 cm (1 inch) above the soil line. Water deeply every 10 days during periods of dry weather. Mandarins are self-fertile so can be grown as single specimens. In containers, plant mandarin in the largest planter you can manage if you live in a cold climate where the plant will be brought indoors in winter.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Native to China and Japan, mandarins are semi-tropical trees with thorny branches. The upright trees grow to 6 m (20 feet) or more, so it is difficult or impossible to provide temporary cold protection for them. Young mandarin trees need regular pruning to help them grow into a balanced shape. Prune these little trees in late winter, after the fruits have been harvested but before blooming begins.

Harvesting

Mandarins turn bright orange as they ripen. Sample large fruits for flavor, and harvest before fruits start falling to the ground. Clip fruits from the tree to avoid tearing holes in the delicate rinds. Keep harvested fruits in a cool place.

Troubleshooting

Several root rot diseases, leaf miners and other insects affect mandarins, but single plants in home landscapes often outgrow minor problems. In Australia fruit fly are a pest of mandarins, make sure to take appropriate control measures in areas where they are present. It is important to dispose of any infected fruit and fruit has fallen to the ground by placing them in a sealed plastic bag in the sun for at least 7 days to kill the eggs and larvae. Do not compost fruit as this will lead to the fruit fly completing their life cycle and lead to the problem recurring.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Mandarin