Citrus reticulata 'Engalls' – Engalls Mandarin

Citrus reticulata 'Engalls' is an early cropping Australian mandarin selection, an evergreen tree of neat rounded habit with glossy mid green foliage. The fruit is medium sized with a slightly flattened shape, a loose rind that peels cleanly, and sweet juicy segments. Scented white flowers cover the tree in spring. Mature size runs 3 to 4 metres tall by 2 to 3 metres wide, with moderate annual growth of 30 to 50 centimetres. Full sun, a fertile well drained soil and reliable water while fruit is sizing give the best result. Established trees tolerate light to moderate frost in southern and inland gardens. Engalls earns its place by cropping early, giving picking mandarins from the start of winter rather than the middle of it. That makes it a natural partner to later varieties in a home orchard, extending the season across several months. The compact size also suits courtyards and half barrels on a paved terrace. Frequently Asked Questions About Engalls Mandarin What is an Engalls mandarin?Citrus reticulata 'Engalls' is an Australian mandarin selection valued for ripening early in the season. The tree is evergreen with a tidy rounded canopy, and the fruit is medium sized, slightly flat in shape, easy to peel and sweet. It is grown mainly to start the mandarin harvest ahead of other varieties. When does Engalls mandarin fruit?It is an early variety, with fruit colouring and sweetening from the beginning of winter, generally through June and July. Picking well before the mid and late season mandarins is the point of growing it. Take fruit when the rind is fully coloured and it releases with a light twist. Is Engalls mandarin easy to peel?Yes. The rind sits loosely over the segments and lifts away in one piece with almost no effort, which is the character buyers expect from a good mandarin. Segments separate cleanly as well, and seed numbers are usually low when the tree is growing without a heavy cross pollinator alongside it. How big does Engalls grow?Around 3 to 4 metres tall and 2 to 3 metres wide as a garden tree, with a naturally compact rounded shape that needs little correcting. Annual growth is a moderate 30 to 50 centimetres. A light prune after harvest keeps picking at ground level and stops the centre of the tree crowding up. Can I grow an Engalls mandarin in a pot?Yes. A container of 60 centimetres or wider in a premium citrus mix suits it well, and its compact habit makes it one of the easier mandarins for a courtyard or terrace. Potted trees dry out and lose nutrients faster, so water more often and feed lightly but regularly through the growing season. How much sun does it need?Full sun, at least six hours a day, drives flowering, fruit set and sugar. In shade the tree grows leggy, crops lightly and the fruit stays tart. Give it an open north facing position with shelter from strong wind, and avoid planting under the canopy of established trees where it will be starved of light. How do I care for an Engalls mandarin tree?Water deeply and regularly from flowering through to picking, and mulch the root zone while keeping mulch off the trunk. Feed with citrus fertiliser in early spring and again in late summer. Prune lightly after harvest, remove shoots below the graft, and check new growth for citrus leaf miner and scale.