Today I want to quickly talk about my mandarin tree. This year it's done better than ever before, loaded with little fruits that are lovely and juicy! I've had the tree for five years now and I'd almost given up on it. I'd actually decided that it wasn't worth the space it takes up in the glasshouse and considered dumping it, but during the spring and summer I decided to give it one more go. Instead of tossing it I cosseted it, giving it plenty of water and even remembering citrus food. I kept its pot weeded and its stems free of scale. And now I've been rewarded!
This variety is called Clementine. The fruit aren't as big as the ones in the shops but they are juicy, and sweet with a bit of tartness. Easy to peel, and seedless since there aren't any other citrus nearby to fertilise them. In winter I often eat lunch in the glasshouse if the sun is shining, and a lovely fresh mandarin is the perfect end to it! In fact I've never felt better than I do this winter and the fresh vitamin C must have something to do with it.
It also looks pretty in my glasshouse (and is getting too heavy to shift!) so I'm calling it a keeper! Do you have any winter stars in your garden?
Hi Ruth, your Clementine looks great! It might produce a lot of fruits begging you not to dump it?? hahaha.. I know you are a good cook, so, how about cooking something with it? Your pudding was the best I've ever had:)
ReplyDeleteHaha great idea Keity, I do actually have a recipe for a mandarin/almond cake that I've been thinking I should make! And now that you mentioned those puddings I think I should probably make them again too... I'll have to do a lot of gardening after to burn that off! :)
DeleteThat's good news Ruth. Our Satsuma's have done really well this year - I think the handfuls of fertiliser I gave them over the last year have certainly helped.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I made a real effort to remember to fertilise it and I think that definitely improved the results!
Delete