So, as you probably know, I'm involved in a project to build a series of greenhouse domes in Reykjavík combining normal commercial space (restaurants, coffee shops, workplaces, etc) with active cultivation of exotic tropicals. And to that end I've been accumulating data about every "interesting" tropical edible under the sun that comes onto my radar, to aid in plant selection. Since I've recently been working on citrus, I thought I'd ask: what citrus varieties would
you recommend?
We're as always looking for the best mix of taste, productivity, precociousness, attractive appearance / scent, ease of cultivation, interesting history/stories/other uses, and so forth. Fast growing and shade tolerant are plusses, but not essential
Small fruited is probably better than large fruited, as it makes it easier to offer "samples", but this is further down the priority list.
So far the ones that sounded interesting to me were:
* Finger limes (shade-loving and neat appearance, although need to be careful with cultivar selection to avoid a soapy taste)
* Bergamot Orange (everyone knows it because of Earl Grey, etc, but few know the actual fruit)
* Kaffir Lime (the leaves being if anything more in-demand than the fruit)
* C. limon "Kannu'on" - got to love any lemon whose smell gets described as "Fruit Loops cereal"
Most lemon cultivars I've seen info on are described as producing all year, although I don't know about this one.
* Meyer Lemon - just because they're generally well appreciated, as far as "lemons" go.
* Buddha's Hand Citron (I also considered etrog, but after talking with a rabbi realized that I wouldn't be able to grow them kosher, so there would be no point)
* Mandarins - they're not spectacular or exotic, but they're a Christmas tradition here.
* Ponkan - like giant mandarins, so see above.
* Blood oranges - anthocyanin-rich and look neat.
Anything else that should go under consideration?