Description
A clementine is a hybrid of the mandarin orange and is deliciously sweet and juicy. It’s easy to peel and usually seedless.
They likely came from Southeast Asia but do well in South Africa. Clementines are great for a lunchbox, hiking snack, or when added to salads and juices.
Position
Plant your clementine tree in full sun for the best results. They do particularly well in hot, humid conditions. Those planted in partial shade survive but do not usually produce as well as their sunny counterparts.
If you are planting your tree inside, give it the brightest spot in the house and report it with new soil every two or three years.
Size
This tree takes two to three years to reach maturity and it’s full size. It is a medium-sized tree, which will usually reach a height of about 3 metres.
Soil Type
Slightly acidic sandy soil that drains well and is healthy is ideal for your clementine tree. If you suspect that your soil’s nutrients are deficient, adding organic matter is important.
Mulch
Give your clementine tree a light mulching every summer to help prevent the moisture in the soil from evaporating too quickly. This tree thrives with a layer of mulch protecting its roots from drying out. Our Pine Bark Mulch is perfect for citrus trees.. Remember to remove the mulch from the trunk so it doesn’t become soaked in water.
Watering
Clementines need the soil to be moist, but not waterlogged. So, only water your tree when the top 2.5 to 5 centimetres of the soil has dried out. A mature tree will likely only need to be watered once a week, while very young trees should be watered every two or three days. If your tree is in a pot, regularly empty the water tray below it.
Fertilising
This tree thrives with fertiliser. Apply slow-release citrus fertilizer during the harvest season and repeat after the fruiting period. Utilising our slow-release Berry/All-plant Fertiliser is a must for citrus.
Pruning
Pruning is best done in spring but can be done any time of the year since clementine trees don’t go dormant. Remove dead or dying limbs, offshoots/suckers, leggy branches, or branches that cross in the middle of the canopy. Only prune a third of the tree at any one time.
Harvesting
Start to pick your juice clementines in the middle of winter. Wait for the skin to be completely orange (with no green on it) before plucking the fruit. The fruit should feel heavy and slightly soft when pressure is applied.
Pest and Disease Management
It is important to watch out for pests like citrus psylla, aphids, scale insects, and mites.
We recommend Effective Microorganisms to prevent the spread of these pests and diseases. Hose the tree first, to remove the aphids, and then spray well with EM Control. As the tree grows larger it will be healthy and pests will be a thing of the past.
Our Neem Oil Pesticide is most effective at controlling and preventing garden pests.
