Moroccan Mandarin

The Moroccan mandarin is a small citrus tree with flattened orange fruit that is sweeter and less acidic than an orange, with a thin peel that comes off easily. It has glossy green leaves and fragrant white flowers.

Why a Moroccan mandarin?

• Fruit that is sweeter and less acidic than an orange.
• A thin peel that comes off easily and splits into segments.
• A small tree that suits home gardens.
• Fragrant white flowers in spring.

Where to plant it

Home gardens, sunny courtyards, in front of villas and along wide paths. Leave about 4.5 m between it and other trees or buildings.

Care in the Saudi climate

• Light: full, direct sun; in light shade it gives less fruit.
• Water: twice a week in the first month, then whenever new leaves wilt in the afternoon. In a Saudi summer it needs more water.
• Soil: best pH is 5.5–6.5. In the alkaline soil common in Saudi, yellow leaves with green veins mean iron deficiency – treat with chelated iron in the soil and a yearly manganese and zinc spray.
• Feeding: in the first year, a balanced fertilizer about every 6 weeks from February to October, kept away from the trunk.
• Pruning: remove shoots growing from below the graft; the tree needs little pruning, and too much reduces fruit.
• Fruit: mandarins are usually picked from autumn into winter.

Sizes

• 1.0–1.5 m: Young tree. Home gardens – settles in easily.
• 2.0–2.5 m: Bigger tree. Quicker presence, closer to fruiting.