And we're officially on Mandarin-quat Watch 2010! I can't wait for these guys to be ready to eat.
{mandarin-quat}
I've been counting every piece of fruit and tiny bud and sometimes I just sit outside and stare at the little tree, willing it grow. It's a cross between a mandarin and a kumquat.
There's something special about a tree. I love my parsley, but it just isn't as exciting.
It's so much more satisfying growing your own fruit.
ReplyDeletethat is exciting! i love eating kumquats, but i've never tried mandarin-quats... they sound de-licious!
ReplyDeleteIt looks a happy tree now :o). We used to have two lemon trees when we lived in South Africa and I loved being able to go and pick the fruit from them.
ReplyDeleteI have been a-googling for citrus trees that can grow inside in dim Chicago sun porches, and this is the fault of the mandarin-quat.
ReplyDeletei can't wait for mandarin-quat martinis in several months!
ReplyDeletethose greens are so crisp - lovely, especially for those of us who are buried under another foot of snow this morning. can't wait to see your mandarin-quat kitchen magic in months to come.
ReplyDeleteIt looks so lovely! What a treat to see sunshine and green... in NY (on Long Island) we're currently in the midst of a major snowstorm and everything is white, including the sky.
ReplyDeleteHow great that you live in a region where you can grow these!
ReplyDeleteMy Grandparents are Guatemalan and my Grandpa is always trying to grow avocado or limes here but he's had no luck because-we live in Idaho! :)
I so wish I could have a lemon tree...but it would die in the winter. Enjoy!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so much fun! I don't have a balcony in my apartment but if I did, this is precisely what I would grow.
ReplyDeleteHope you're feeling better and have a lovely weekend!
Feel better! This is exciting, I am envious:) Have a happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteI have one, but left it out last month during a very unexpected frost...I've brought it in (of course) and continued the watering, set it next to the heater...but the leaves have fallen off! The trunk is still green...is it still alive?!? I hope so! It has made the most amazing smelling flowers!!! Do you have any advice? Help!
ReplyDeleteso jealous of the californian's ability to grow fruit so easily. i tried to grow meyer lemons and was sadly disappointed! have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteJust a wee suggestion for all readers wishing to grow citrus indoors - it can be done almost anywhere. But the most common misunderstanding about citrus has to do with proper watering. Citrus really want to go a bit dry between waterings, and, when watered, appreciate a good drench. Especially if you have hard tap water and you water just often enough to keep the soil constantly damp, mineral salts can build up in the potting soil and 'lock up' the very mineral nutrients (e.g., iron) required for good health. So every few months, it can help to 'rinse' away mineral salt build-up with a slow long soak. I let a trickle (from tap or hose) run into and out of the pot for several hours. This is not necessary each time you water, only once in awhile.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't give up on that leafless tree! Citrus do drop their leaves after a stress. Even just moving indoors can cause leaf drop. Just avoid over-watering and temperature extremes (it can get too hot if too near the heater.) It should leaf out soon. Adding a dilute dose of citrus food with each watering is a good idea to be sure it isn't hungry. There are some very good citrus tips online. I like Four Winds Growers advice. (And this isn't a paid plug. This is your mom. Love you more than bags of mandarin-quats!)
my parents always had a mini orange tree growing up....love your tree...so special
ReplyDeletehope you are feeling better....
happy weekend
michelle
Oooh mandarin-quat martinis? That sounds delish!
ReplyDeleteOh yum there's nothing better than home grown fruit! Will you make some marmalade with them? I wonder how that would taste? I hope you're feeling better and had a lovely weekend.
ReplyDelete