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mandarin

Citrus reticulata Blanco

Family: Rutaceae · Genus: Citrus

mandarin orange, tangerine

Secondary II Medium No biomass production
Joe Ravi · CC BY-SA · Wikimedia Commons

Medium-stratum citrus in syntropic systems. Pasini lists ponkan in the high stratum of Tabela 3; the Bosque de Niebla Guidebook places the mandarin in the Climax stage of the medium stratum. Easy-peel fruit.

Götsch succession

Götsch stage
Secondary II
Ecological role
Late secondary
Primary stratum
Medium
Strata
Medium, High
Biomass class
No biomass production

Environment

Light requirement
Full sun
Water requirement
Moderate
Drought tolerance
Moderate
Waterlogging tolerance
Low
Soil pH range
5–6.5
Preferred soil texture
Loamy, Sandy
Hardiness zones
9–11
Frost tolerance
-6.0 °C

Morphology

Mature height
3–7 m
Recommended spacing
4–6 m
Root system
Taproot
Root depth
Deep
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifespan
30–50 years
Time to first harvest
36 months

Biomes & climate

Köppen classes

Where it fits in a guild

Mandarin takes the Medium stratum in the Secondary II phase of succession — in a guild it shares the line with species from the other strata, each harvesting light at its own height, in its own time.

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Emergent High Medium · ≈7 m Low Ground cover

🪴 Cultivation

Among the most cold-tolerant citrus (mandarins/satsumas endure lower temperatures). Well-drained sandy-clay soil, pH ~5.0–6.5; sensitive to waterlogging. Grafted tree; spacing 6–7 m × 2.5–4 m. Loose-skinned, easy-peel fruit; autumn–winter harvest.

📅 Phenology

Flowering months: September, October

Fruiting months: April, May, June, July

❓ Frequently asked questions

How long until the first harvest of mandarin?

The first harvest of mandarin comes around 36 months after planting.

What spacing is recommended for mandarin?

The recommended spacing for mandarin is 4–6 m.

How tall does mandarin grow?

At maturity, mandarin reaches 3–7 m tall.

When does mandarin fruit?

Fruiting of mandarin occurs in April, May, June, July.

When does mandarin flower?

Flowering of mandarin occurs in September, October.

What stage and stratum does mandarin occupy in a syntropic system?

In a syntropic system, mandarin belongs to the secondary ii stage, occupying the medium stratum.

Functions

🍎 Fruit 🐝 Attracts pollinators 🍯 Melliferous

Propagation

Grafting, Seed

Citations

  1. Pasini, F. & Guimarães, L. (2017) — Tabela 3 (Incaper) , p. 116 (primary_stratum)
  2. Bosque de Niebla (2019) — Syntropic Farming Guidebook, Consortium Based on Stratum and Succession Level , p. 18 (gotsch_stage, primary_stratum)
  3. www.infoteca.cnptia.embrapa.br (root_system, root_depth, ph_min, ph_max, spacing_min_m, spacing_max_m, soil_texture_preference, cultivation_notes, waterlogging_tolerance)
  4. hgic.clemson.edu (frost_tolerance_c, hardiness_zone_min, hardiness_zone_max)
  5. www.scielo.br (flowering_months, fruiting_months)

External references

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