USDA 6-15-150 Mandarin Budwood

Citrus hybrid.

This hybrid has the distinction of being most cold hardy scion hybrid to be considered for release from the USDA breeding program. It can be best compared to satsuma in hardiness but has much better overall characteristics than other cold tolerant varieties. Fruit are medium in size, very easily peeled by hand, pleasant tasting, and should have less than 10 seeds in the absence of cross pollination. Harvest usually require clipping of the fruit although the variety is not quite as good as Sunburst in this respect. External fruit color at maturity is brilliant orange while the interior has a deep orange shade reminiscent of 'Fallglo' tangerine. Yields have been good to excellent and are consistent as long as fruit are not left hanging on the tree. The season for this selection should run from the middle of November through the end of the calendar year.

Rootstocks of accession:  Carrizo citrange, C-35 citrange.

Season of ripeness at Riverside, California:  November to December.

Prepared by the Givaudan Citrus Variety Collection at The University of California Riverside.