Nippon Orangequat Tree

Nippon Orangequat

Oh how grateful we are for the Citrus genus’s ability to freely hybridize between different species! The possibilities are seemingly endless and the Nippon Orangequat is proof of that. We first got a taste of this one when a friend brought some fruits up from a farm in Central California and it was love at first taste. We adore the tart flavor  and the fact that we can eat the entire fruit, skin and all. Given that both parents of this hybrid are rather cold hardy we’re assuming hardiness to at least 20 degrees though we are just beginning to test them outdoors here in Portland.

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Latin Name: Citrus hybrid
Site and Soil:   1/2 day to full sun and well drained soil. If growing it in a pot, in the winter place your plant in a well-lit room. Potting soil should be coarse, acidic, and well-drained.
Rootstock Description: Flying Dragon is a hardy and very dwarfing rootstock for Citrus that induces very early flowering and fruit production. Trees grown on Flying Dragon will rarely exceed 5 ft. in height and will often produce fruit the year they are planted.
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile. You can help it set fruit by taking a small brush and moving pollen from flower to flower.
Hardiness: Hardy to at least 20° F but we’re still trialing them outdoors.
Bearing Age: 1-2 years after planting
Size at Maturity: 6-8 ft.
Taste: Tart
Fruit Skin: Orange
Fruit Flesh: Orange
Bloom Time: Spring
Ripening Time: Late fall to winter.
Yield: 20+ lbs.
Care: Fertilize with citrus mix 3-4 times per year with typical applications in late winter (Jan-Feb), late spring (May-June) and early fall (Sept-Oct).
Pests & Diseases: While outside, Citrus plants will likely not be bothered by insect pests. Be on the lookout for slugs. Indoors, Citrus can have mites, scales and/or aphids. Watch carefully for any problems and treat with an insecticidal soap or wash them off. We have not seen any disease problems on our Citrus plants, though citrus greening virus has become a huge problem in California and Florida
USDA Zone: 9a, possibly 8b