Featuring "things"
that you WILL want to see out at
VCMGA's
Victoria Educational Gardens...
Calamondin Miniature Orange can be found at VEG in the planter, Vegetable garden, by the sun dial. The picture below was taken by Brynne Lee this January.
According to the Aggie-Horticulture website, Calamondin, Citrus mitis, originated in China and was introduced to the United States around 1900 as an "acid orange," usually grown as an ornamental container-grown plant in the U. S. more so than as an edible fruit. It appears they are classified as "acid citrus" with lemons and limes, instead of being classified with oranges. It can be trained as a bonsai and is capable of blooming year-round. In fact, mature fruit can be produced year-round, but mostly from November through June. Fruit is approximately one inch in diameter.
Hardy to 20 degrees F. (although not growing well at temperatures below 55 deg. F) and moderately drought-tolerant, this citrus plant is most suited to container growth outdoors in direct sunlight or half shade. Allow the surface to become dry before watering. Excess water or not enough water will kill the tree. Allowing the plant to dry between watering will also encourage blooming.
If you want to eat the fruit, harvest when it is half-ripe -- firm and yellow to yellow-orange. By the time it turns orange, it is over-ripe and not as suitable for eating. Instead of pulling the fruit from the tree, scissors or clippers should be used. Fruit should be used fairly quickly after being picked.
The fruit can be served with iced tea, seafood, meats, squeezed for the acid juice, and used to make sauces and syrups, as well as other uses, including pies.
REFERENCES:
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/patiocitrus/calamondin.html
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/homefruit/citrus/table1.html
http://oliodigest.com/calamondin
