Citrus x tangelo 'Seminole' – Seminole Tangelo

Citrus x tangelo 'Seminole' is a cross between a mandarin and a grapefruit, an evergreen tree with a vigorous upright habit and glossy dark leaves. The fruit is deep orange, thin skinned and very juicy, with a tangy flavour that sits between its two parents. Blossom is white and fragrant. It grows quickly for a citrus, 40 to 80 centimetres a year, reaching 3 to 5 metres tall and 2 to 4 metres wide. Full sun, fertile free draining soil and steady moisture through fruit fill suit it. Established trees handle light to moderate frost, though young wood needs shelter. Fruit ripens late winter into spring, filling the gap after mandarins finish. Crops are heavier with another citrus flowering nearby, so pair it with a mandarin or orange if you can. It suits home orchards, edible garden beds and mixed citrus plantings on suburban and rural blocks. Frequently Asked Questions About Seminole Tangelo What is a Seminole tangelo?A tangelo is a hybrid of mandarin and grapefruit, and 'Seminole' is one of the best known selections. The fruit is deep orange, slightly flattened, thin skinned and heavy with tangy juice. The tree is a vigorous evergreen that crops well and carries fragrant white blossom in spring. How big does a Seminole tangelo grow?It reaches 3 to 5 metres tall and 2 to 4 metres wide, with an upright frame that fills out as it matures. Growth is fast for a citrus at 40 to 80 centimetres a year. Prune after harvest to keep the picking height down and to open up the canopy. When does Seminole tangelo fruit ripen?Late winter into spring, which is later than most mandarins and useful for extending the citrus season. Fruit sweetens on the tree and the acid drops as it hangs, so leave it as long as you can and taste before picking. Juice quality is at its best fully ripe. Does a Seminole tangelo need a pollinator?It sets some fruit on its own but crops much more heavily with another citrus flowering nearby, so plant a mandarin, an orange or a lemon within bee range. Cross pollination also increases the number of seeds in the fruit, which is the trade off for the bigger harvest. How fast does a Seminole tangelo grow?Fast by citrus standards, around 40 to 80 centimetres a year once established, and it makes a substantial tree within five or six seasons. The vigour comes with strong upright shoots that are worth thinning, so light reaches the inner canopy and fruit sets through the whole tree. Is a Seminole tangelo frost tolerant?Established trees take light to moderate frost, inheriting reasonable cold tolerance from the mandarin parent. Young trees and soft new growth are much more vulnerable, so use frost cloth or a sheltered position for the first two winters. Frost during spring flowering will reduce the following crop. How do I care for a Seminole tangelo?Water deeply and consistently while fruit is filling, then reduce over winter. Mulch the root zone but keep mulch off the trunk. Feed with citrus fertiliser in early spring and late summer, thin crowded shoots after harvest, and check for scale, aphids and citrus leaf miner in warm weather.