(Citrus reticulata)
Compared to other orange trees, the tangerine tree is smaller. It has glossy, lance-shaped evergreen leaves and thin twigs. The fragrant white blossoms have five petals. The fruit has loose reddish-orange skin and readily separable segments. It is somewhat flattened at each end.
It is a little, thin-skinned kind of orange that belongs to the Rutaceae family’s mandarin orange species. Tangerine culture, which is most likely Southeast Asia’s original inhabitants, travelled west through trade routes to the Mediterranean. Both the Old World and the New World’s subtropical regions, particularly southern Europe and the southern United States, are where the fruit is grown.
Varieties and Cultivars of Tangerine
A total of 36 species, including a wide range of hybrids and cultivars, have been used to categorize all tangerine or mandarin fruits. This extensive taxonomy has been condensed into three significant classifications:
• Clementine: Also referred to as the “Algerian Tangerine” medium size, smooth, glossy, thick with deep orange-red peel and flesh, juicy, and tasty; oval to round in shape; To create the hybrid tangerines “Lee,” “Robinson,” and “Osceola,” “Clementine” was crossed with “Orlando.”
• Cleopatra: Also known as “Ponki” or “Spice,” this little, oval fruit is produced mostly for decorative purposes. It is edible but seedy and has little commercial value.
• Dancy: The most popular tangerine in the United States, primarily grown in Florida; oval to pear-shaped; medium size; deep orange-red to red peel; and dark orange pulp. It is said to be native to China.
• Ponkan: Also known as “Chinese Honey Orange,” this large, round oval fruit has a silky orange peel and salmon-orange pulp. It is fragrant, juicy, and sweet, and has few seeds. widely used as a commercial cultivar in China and is cultivated there as a dwarf shrub
• Robinson: To produce more sections and seeds, ‘Clementine’ and ‘Orlando’ tangelos were crossed to create this cultivar.
• Sunburst: A hybrid of the Robinson and Osceola varieties, it has an oval, medium-sized, orange to scarlet-hued peel and is divided into 11 to 15 delicious, vividly coloured segments.
GROWING TANGERINES
A subtropical species known as the mandarin or tangerine tree does well in areas with distinct seasons. Considerations including temperature range, sunlight exposure, and soil requirements should be taken into account when growing tangerine plants in a backyard or home garden.
Growing guidelines
i. During the growing season, the tangerine tree does best at temperatures between 55 and 100°F (12.8 and 37.8°C) and from 35 to 50°F (1.7 to 10°C) during dormancy.
ii. Young seedlings will perish under freezing temperatures, however mature mandarin or tangerine trees can withstand brief spells of frost. Tangerine fruit cannot endure chilly temperatures.
iii. While tangerines can withstand dryness, they cannot grow in soggy soil.
iv. Tangerine trees will thrive in sandy loam soil that drains well and has a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. To allow for sufficient root development, the soil must be deep enough.
v. Tangerine and mandarin orange trees need full light and should be shielded from the wind.
Propagation
Grafting or budding to the proper rootstock is the most popular way to propagate tangerines. Tangerines can also be produced from seeds, but the fruit won’t be authentic. Local tangerine growers can buy seedlings that have already been grafted and are prepared for planting in a garden or orchard.
After the last frost, early spring is the ideal time to plant tangerines. Standard-sized trees should be placed in sunny areas away from strong winds, 12 to 25 feet (3.7 to 7.6 m) apart. In milder climes, planting a tree against a south-facing wall will help protect it.
Until they grow established, young tangerine trees need to be well irrigated. To give the roots enough moisture and promote healthy growth during the first year, water should be given at the base of the trunk every 3–7 days. While not wet, the soil should be damp. Sandier soils will necessitate more regular watering for trees. During the first year, it is advised to fertilize lightly once a month.
Thinning
Some tangerine trees produce a lot of fruit, which can lead to poor-developing fruit or even broken tree branches if the weight is too great. Tangerines occasionally need to be thinned, even though citrus fruit typically does not need to be. If a tree has produced a lot of fruit, pick up each one when it is about an inch wide and gently twist it until it comes loose from the tree. Repeat this process until there are about 3 to 4 inches between each of the remaining tangerines. To give young trees time to establish themselves before bearing fruit, remove all the fruits from trees that are two years old or younger.
Watering
Tangerines need moist, well-drained soil, and as the fruit grows, it will consume a lot of water. However, overwatering can harm the tree by suffocating the roots or encouraging rot. Soak the soil surrounding the tree lightly, then let it partially dry before soaking it once again. When watering the tree, be consistent because varying moisture levels will cause the tangerines to split. The best way to water tangerine trees is via a drip system. Depending on your soil and climate circumstances, another alternative is to dig a trench around the tree at the drip line and fill it with water once a week to once every ten days. For optimal results in extremely arid locations, pick a drought-tolerant cultivar like the Sunburst.
Fertilizing
If you want a tangerine tree that is healthy and produces a good harvest of fruit every year, feeding it is essential. Applying a fertilizer made specifically for citrus trees is advised because these plants consume a lot of zinc, nitrogen, and iron. Apply the first feeding in the spring, right before the tree blooms, the second feeding two months later, and the final feeding one month after that. Divide the yearly dose into thirds after following label guidelines to find the correct amount for your tree. Feeding the tree in the late summer, usually, after July, could result in new growth that is too delicate to last the winter.
Pests and Diseases
Anthracnose, black root rot, citrus canker, citrus greener, and citrus Tristeza virus are only a few of the bacterial, viral, and fungal diseases that can affect tangerine trees.
How to Consume Tangerine
The tangerine fruit has historically been used as a source of food and medicine in all of its components. While the health advantages of tangerines can be achieved from pharmaceutical preparations, the majority of their nutritional value is derived from their natural forms.
Natural Forms
• Raw. Tangerines are a low-carb, healthful snack that may be had alone or as an addition to fruit salads and other dishes when they are in their fresh state.
• Dried. Tangerine peels can be dried and then put into preserves and medicines to extract their therapeutic qualities. Dried tangerine wedges or pieces are another options for a nutritious snack.
• Powder. Tangerine peels that have been dried and powdered into a fine powder are frequently used as a natural exfoliant.
• Infusion. Utilize the anti-inflammatory, digestive, and somewhat sedative characteristics of dried tangerine peels by making a warm tisane from them.
BENEFITS OF TANGERINES
• Rich in antioxidants: Beta-cryptoxanthin, vitamin C, and flavonoids like naringin, hesperidin, tangeretin, and nobiletin are all abundant in tangerines. Together, they guard against oxidative stress, which can result in cancer, diabetes, and chronic cardiac conditions.
• Boosts immune system: Tangerines are a fantastic food for the immune system because of the high levels of vitamin C they contain. Phagocytes supplied by the micronutrient enable the immune system to combat pathogens and any diseases they may bring.
• Detoxifying and Purifying Effects: Depurative, an essential oil found in tangerines, has purifying and detoxifying properties that aid in the removal of impurities from the blood and excess uric acid from the body.
• Additionally, the essential oil contains a tonic, antispasmodic, seductive, stomachic, and digestive ingredient that, when combined or used alone, has beneficial benefits on the body. Through the excretory system, the oil helps the body rid itself of extra uric acid, impurities, extra salt, and water.
• Good for heart health: Tangerines might be a healthy snack for the heart. It contains potassium, which lowers the amount of sodium and, consequently, lowers high blood pressure. Flavonoids and antioxidants lessen oxidative stress, which lowers the risk of heart disease. By lowering cholesterol, platelet aggregation, and blood pressure, vitamin C helps.
TANGERINE MARKET IN KENYA
At least 300 fruits can be produced annually by a mature tangerine. At the farm gate, each fruit currently costs Kshs 5- 20. This indicates that you can earn Kshs 1500–6000 per tree, and 200 trees per acre will get you off to a good start.