Citrus reticulata 'Sunburst' (Sunburst Mandarin Orange)

Botanical Information

FamilyRutaceae
GenusCitrus
Speciesreticulata
Cultivar'Sunburst'
CategoryTropicals, Woody
TypeTree (evergreen)
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer		Edible fruit.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone7a - 11
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone8b
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH6 - H1c
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)above 4.5
Temperature (°F)0 - above 40
Height3 - 6 m
Spread3.0 - 5 m
GrowthMedium

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionIt is a cross between the two citrus hybrids Robinson and Osceola. This cross was made in 1961 and was released for commercial use in 1979 by C. J. Hearn of the United States Department of Agriculture in Orlando.
ShapeSymmetrical, open and rounded.
LandscapeThis cultivar is self-incompatible and will produce poorly when planted in solid blocks. To achieve maximum fruit set an adequate number and arrangement of pollenizer trees is required.
PropagationCuttings or grafting. Trees have been produced on many of the standard rootstocks of Carrizo citrange, sour orange, Swingle citrumelo and Cleopatra mandarin and have all produced acceptable fruit quality and yield.
CultivationPrefers full sun and grows best in rich, acidic soils but does not do well in overly wet soils.
PestsXylella a bacterial disease is a serious threat to many horticultures crops due to its virulence and wide range of species it can infect. It can infect more than 560 species with wide ranging symptoms including leaf scorch, yellowing and scorching, wilt, branch and twig dieback and plant death. These symptoms can be identical to other symptoms such as drought and weather stress. Infected plants show symptoms within a few years after planting.
Notable SpecimensBok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales, Florida, United States of America.
Leaf DescriptionSunburst trees have dark-green foliage, moderately vigorous, thornless, up-right, and spreading shape. They are tolerant of snow scale, moderately cold hardy and have resistance to scab.
Flower DescriptionFlower buds are light pink, blooms are white.
Fruit DescriptionFruit is juicy and sweet, medium in size, loose skinned and easy to peel. They are 5-10 cm in diameter and have easily divided sections. Fruit is in season from late autumn through the winter months. Fruit segments number from 11 - 14 and have a somewhat hollow central axis.

Photographs