What are the Earliest Seedless Mandarin Varieties?
The following thread was started by Brendan on October 30, 2009 at 10:47 am PST
B....I can tell you that my mandarins are some of the most satisfying and delicious fruit I grow. My "Satsuma" and "Pixie" are just great. Much better than most of my other citrus. Depending on where you live....many citrus lack the necessary heat to become really sweet. As for ripening....check online or your western outdoors book.
The above followup was added by Ed of Somis on October 30, 2009 at 8:57 pm PST.
Your criteria of early and seedless have limited the responses to your question. Most of the 'new' varieties are not early. Two examples are gold nugget and pixie. I agree with Brendan in that Satsuma is probably the best given your criteria. I personally prefer clementines; however, they will have seeds if other citrus is blooming nearby at the same time. As to where to buy, I'd better leave that to the California people. I ask: Who sells the newer varieites at the retail level in California?
The above followup was added by gino45 on November 01, 2009 at 3:08 pm PST.
If you're in a mild climate (e.g. Sunset zone 17) Try Yosemite Gold. It''s a huge Temple x Dancy x Encore cross that can hang on for 9 months or more with good flavor! Along the coast, Kishu turns moldy on the tree, faster than any other mandarins. Gene Lester calls it "Crap" because of that. It's cute, tasty, but so are lots of other mandarins.
If none of your area nurseries carry it you could buy wood from Lindcove & try budding on one of your existing citrus.
The above followup was added by marion on November 11, 2009 at 12:20 am PST.