• Mandarin - Ellendale flyingdragonnursery
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Mandarin - Ellendale - Large, sweet & juicy

$44.99
$44.99
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One of the biggest mandarins we grow, Ellendale is a classic with deep orange-red skin and dark orange flesh that is very juicy, with a rich, sweet flavour. It's thought to be a natural tangor (a mandarin crossed with a sweet orange), so you get the peel-and-eat ease of a mandarin with some of the fullness of an orange.

The thin, smooth skin peels easily once the fruit is fully ripe, and the segments pull apart cleanly. Fruit also keeps well after picking.

A bit of history

Ellendale was found as a chance seedling around 1878 on the Ellendale property at Burrum, Queensland. It went on to become Queensland's main mandarin variety, valued for its large size, attractive colour and good keeping quality.

Growing Ellendale

  • Productive: a reliable cropper with a reasonably long picking window.
  • Thornless: a rounded, spreading tree that's easy to work around and pick from.
  • Cold-hardy: handles cooler conditions well and copes with light frost once established.
  • Thin heavy crops: branches can split under a big load, so thin fruit on young trees and prune for strong, well-spaced limbs.
  • Seed numbers vary: trees grown away from other citrus tend to have fewer seeds, while cross-pollination from nearby citrus gives seedier fruit.

Picking tips

Go by taste rather than colour, as the skin can be slow to colour up fully. Once ripe, don't leave fruit hanging too long, or quality drops and the skin can go puffy.

Ripens: Late winter into spring

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Citrus Care Tips

Watering: Citrus plants should be watered deeply once or twice a week, depending on the soil and weather conditions. Water the plant until the soil is evenly moist, but not waterlogged. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely, as this can cause the leaves to yellow and drop.

Fertilising: Feed citrus plants with a balanced fertiliser (such as a 10-10-10 formula) every month during the growing season (spring and summer). Alternatively, you can use a slow-release fertiliser or a liquid fertiliser. Citrus plants also benefit from the addition of compost or well-rotted manure to the soil.

Pruning: Prune citrus plants to remove dead or damaged branches, and to shape the plant as desired. Pruning also helps to encourage new growth and keep the plant healthy. Use clean, sharp pruning tools to make precise cuts.

Pest control: Keep an eye out for pests such as aphids, mealybugs, and mites, which can damage citrus plants. These pests can be controlled through the use of natural methods such as introducing beneficial insects, or by using pesticides as a last resort

Sunlight: Citrus plants need plenty of sunlight to grow and produce fruit. In most cases, a location with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day is ideal. 

 Soil: Citrus plants prefer well-draining, slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5. If your soil is not suitable, you can improve it by adding compost or peat moss to increase the organic matter content.

Pollination: Citrus plants are self-pollinating, which means that they do not need to be pollinated by another plant in order to produce fruit. However, the presence of bees and other pollinators can help to improve the quality and quantity of fruit. To attract pollinators, consider planting flowering plants near your citrus trees.

Temperature: Citrus plants thrive in warm temperatures and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, as long as they are protected from frost. 

Mulching: Mulch around the base of your citrus plant to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Use a mulch that is well-draining, such as wood chips or pine needles. Avoid using a mulch that is too thick, as this can prevent water and air from reaching the roots.

Pruning for fruit production: To encourage fruit production, prune your citrus plant to allow for good air circulation and sunlight penetration. Remove any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other, as well as any branches that are diseased or damaged.
Pesticide use: If you need to use pesticides on your citrus plant, be sure to follow the instructions on the label carefully. Wear protective clothing, such as gloves and a mask, to avoid exposure. Avoid applying pesticides when pollinators are present, and wash your hands thoroughly after handling pesticides.
Mandarin - Ellendale flyingdragonnursery


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