calomondins are underrated

[brian]

I don't understand why these are considered an ornamental.  They taste great, you can peel them or eat them whole.  Very few seeds.  Great producer, easy to grow.  They're less tart than kumquats but don't have the sweet rind. 

[jcaldeira]

My calamondins are extremely bitter.  Good to mix in a jam or marmalade, but that's about it.

[brian]

Hmm they do not taste bitter to me at all, and I've eaten a few dozen from two different trees, one variegated.   I wonder if it is like cilantro, tasting bitter to only a portion of the population.

[RyanL]

I think its also the fact that there better options out there.

[Doglips]

Interesting, mine is super seedy and sour.

[buddinman]

Do not know why anyone grows calamondin when they could grow Kishu.

[brian]

Hmm... when I get a larger crop I'll have to send some out to see if I'm just crazy or if these have higher quality in my oddball climate for whatever reason. 



I'm growing these because I am trying many different varieties to see what grows well.  So far I've had the best success with kumquats and calomondins and the worst with lemons.  Oranges and mandarins have been unpredictable.  Still to early to tell.

[Galka]

Where can I buy the variegated calamondin in Fl? I have two variegated centenial kamquat trees and I am very happy with them. I eat them from the hand with the rind...very tasty to me. But I let them get yellow. Just bought Meiva. Fruits are not ripe yet. Can't wait to try. Thinking about Nagami too but not sure should I buy it or not.

[brian]

I found a variegated one at Lowes a few years ago in the flower section.  I gave it to my mom but she killed it

Tastes the same as unvariegated to me. 

[Galka]

Can't find any at Lowe's/HD. I even ordered it from them but they never got it I think. They said they will give me a call. Never heard from them.    Bought variegated minneola on sale last year. Have 5 fruits on it now.

[brian]

It looks like fourwindsgrowers has variegated calomonin in stock    https://www.fourwindsgrowers.com/store/other-interesting-varieties-of-dwarf-citrus-trees.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=255&category_id=17

Minneola tangelos are great!  didn't know there is a variegated type.  Mine is finally flowering right now... that reminds me I need to figure out how to pollinate it.

EDIT- if you are in Florida they may not be able to ship to you.  Maybe try Harris?  There must be something local in a citrus state.

[Galka]

Thanks for the link but I am sure they don't send citrus trees to FL. I think Harris doesn't have var. calamondin too. I'll keep looking locally. Here is my minneola.

[bsbullie]

I have been involved in purchases from most of the major citrus growers in Florida. Record Buck, Rasnake, Floyd's, Nelson and Harris and I have never seen a variegated calomondin offered.   Only recently have I seen the variegated Minneola offered.

[swimmingfree]

 do all variegated tree have variegated fruit ?   
that need looking 
swimmingfree

[bsbullie]

do all variegated tree have variegated fruit ?   
that need looking 
swimmingfree

From what I have seen (var. pink lemon, centenniel kumquat, var. minneola, var. red navel (aka var. cara cara)), yes.

[bsbullie]

do all variegated tree have variegated fruit ?   
that need looking 
swimmingfree

From what I have seen (var. pink lemon, centenniel kumquat, var. minneola, var. red navel (aka var. cara cara)), yes.

To follow up, looks like the var. valencia loses its stripes at maturity.

[Galka]

do all variegated tree have variegated fruit ?   
that need looking 
swimmingfree

From what I have seen (var. pink lemon, centenniel kumquat, var. minneola, var. red navel (aka var. cara cara)), yes.

I love the Cara Cara and would be happy to have variegated one. I have seen non-varigated leaves minneola but variegated fruit. The tree was big and expansive at Lowe's. I should talk to their manager and find out which nursery sells citrus trees through them.