Anyone had chance to evaluate US Superna 88-2 (USDA 88-2)?

[EricSC]

Anyone had chance to evaluate US Superna  88-2 (USDA 88-2)? CCPP has bud wood available.

CCPP info: seedless under all conditions, low probability of causing seeds in other mandarins, early season maturity (November), high brix (13% in November, 15-16% in late December) and very rich, distinctive flavor, pale rind color, mean fruit size 24, round shape (not flattened) with tendency toward a blossom end nipple. Moderately easy to peel. Good holding ability on tree through February. Moderate production with tendency to alternate bear.

[containerman]

i found a really nice 4 1/2 foot tree this spring and purchased it. I have heard great things about its flavor but have also heard from others it takes a long time for them to fruit compared to other varieties.

[EricSC]

containerman, I never see it in CA.  So, may just get some bud from CCPP.

[containerman]

containerman, I never see it in CA.  So, may just get some bud from CCPP.

I was fortunate enough to find it at my local nursery in Modesto. Its the only one I've seen around here.

[Oolie]

I tasted it from Zion market a couple years ago.

Has a muskiness and tartness that reminded me of strawberry guava.

I would highly recommend it.

That said I've tried to graft it several times with no success.

If anyone has extra scion, I'd be happy to try to use it.

[EricSC]

Oolie，　I don't have it yet.  CCPP has bud wood, 6 for 9 dollars.  Still thinking whether it is worth to try grafting it. 

[Oolie]

Pricey gamble, but likely worth the expense.

It's a mid-season cultivar, but is said to be alternate in bearing, as well as a sparse bearer.

I want to grow it though the timing is similar to oranges like Washington.

[Vitaliy]

I have this Super Nova tangerine (USDA 88-2). I got it from CCPP. But it had not yet borne fruit. I think it should be tasty and have low acidity.
Season of ripeness October to December.

[EricSC]

Good points.  CCPP states: Moderate production with tendency to alternate bear.     One problem might be ok but here we have two. 

[Millet]

From what I read the Super Nova has low/moderate production during the on year, and very low to no production on the off year.

[EricSC]

From what I read the Super Nova has low/moderate production on the on year, and very low to no production on the off year.

，
Agree．　Not worth the effort.

[poncirsguy]

I have a new Zealand lemonade on US897 that will flower to death if I don't remove the flower clusters with a pair of tweezers and a 10X loupe.  Perhaps a good precocious root stock would help a lot for production of the super nova USDA 88-2.  My NZL on C35 and Seville flower well but not excessively.

[EricSC]

I have a new Zealand lemonade on US897 that will flower to death if I don't remove the flower clusters with a pair of tweezers and a 10X loupe.  Perhaps a good precocious root stock would help a lot for production of the super nova USDA 88-2.  My NZL on C35 and Seville flower well but not excessively.

Use Eureka lemon as rootstock?  Eureka lemon flowers and bears so much fruits.

[Laaz]

Eureka is not a good rootstock, it is prone to foot rott.

[Millet]

Eureka lemon is almost never used as a rootstock.

[Johnny Eat Fruit]

I ordered Super Nova scions this last winter from CCPP and successfully grafted it to (2) Rich 16-6 semi-dwarf rootstocks. They are growing well now in five gallon pots.

Looking forward to trying it in 3-5 years. 

Every mandarine I have ever grown has a tendency to alternate bear, some more than others and this variety is no different.

Johnny

[Oolie]

I ordered Super Nova scions this last winter from CCPP and successfully grafted it to (2) Rich 16-6 semi-dwarf rootstocks. They are growing well now in five gallon pots.

Looking forward to trying it in 3-5 years. 

Every mandarine I have ever grown has a tendency to alternate bear, some more than others and this variety is no different.

Johnny

The concern tends to arise due to the reportedly poor yields during 'on' years.

The poor yields are worse in regions like Florida where the variety was originally discovered, but not released due to it never producing fruit except once in a blue moon.

I myself thought the quality was amongst the best I've encountered in a store purchased mandarin, and am actively seeking it because I think if it has potential to be even better where I would plant it.