Clementine VS Mandarin – Clementine is a type of Mandarin. If you are considering planting either of the two it is important to know their dissimilarity. The difference between them is the mostly on the appearance and taste. Mandarin has thin pebbled, loose peel but Clementine’s peel is smooth, glossy and deep orange in appearance. Compared to Mandarin that is bigger in size, the Clementines are relatively smaller. Choosing what to plant between Clementine and Mandarin mainly depends on the taste of the fruit you prefer. Clementines have tart, tangy and slightly sweet flavor. Mandarins are sweeter.
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A mandarin tree may reach a height of 25 feet with a greater spread. It is usually thorny with slender twigs and broad or slender leaves. Mandarin trees can be grown from seeds, while Clementines are usually seedless and can be propagated by grafting a bud. They can be smaller and can be grown in pots as an indoor plant. Both are sun-lovers and sensitive to cold temperatures.
Tips in growing Mandarin or Clementine trees
Generally speaking, mandarin trees are relatively easy to grow especially in places with abundant sunlight. Five hours of sunshine a day is needed for maximum fruiting. If you are living in an area with winter or cold season, you may opt to plant them in pots and bring them inside the house when the temperature is low.
In addition, it is important to remember not to over-water them and to make sure the soil has excellent drainage. Too much moisture in the soil can rot the roots and kill the plant; which is why it is advisable to plant these in a sandy loam. If you want to plant mandarin seeds, make sure to rinse off any juice and remove all fruit flesh around the seeds as it may cause the rotting when planted.
Let the seeds sit in a cup of lukewarm water for 24 hours to increase the chance of a successful germination. When they are ready to be planted, dig holes that are ¼ to ½ inch deep. If it’s in a pot, make sure to place it near a window or bring it outside to receive few hours of direct sunlight each day until a seedling emerges. Water the seedling whenever the soil appears dry. If you wish to transfer the seedling to your backyard, note that you may transplant the small tree once its roots appear around the draining holes of the pot.
Clementine, on the other hand, although considered seedless sometimes contains at least a few seeds. But there is no guarantee that these seeds will produce a plant. It is best to grow Clementines that have been grafted. Graft clemetines during the warm months while they are actively growing, otherwise it is hard to separate the buds and bark from the wood of the tree. Although those grown indoors can be grafted any time, or you may buy a nursery grown graft that is 2 or 3 years old before the time of transplanting.