Indio Mandarinquat Tree

Availability: Out of stock
SKU
277302002

Sweet & Sour, Productive Indio Mandarinquat Tree

  • Eat the Whole Thing
  • Good Ornamental Lawn Tree
  • Great in Containers
  • Sweet/Tart Flavor
  • Unique Introduction with Modern Appeal

Deliciously fragrant Indio Mandarinquat - as the name suggests - is a cross between a Mandarin Orange and a Kumquat. From its parents, it inherited a "grown-up" Citrus taste - mostly sweet, with a little sour for balance, like a sour Mandarin.

It can be eaten whole, peeled, and all! The trick is to pick the beautiful, bell-shaped fruit, wash them, and toss them in your mouth. Chew, chew, chew to blend the sweet skin with the zingy flesh.

Like all Kumquats, the skin is where all the sweetness is. But the uniqueness is in the size and the Mandarin flavor of the Indio Mandarinquat, as well.

Fair warning! You might become addicted to the wonderful sweet/tart flavor that is part of the experience of eating this classic fruit. Yum!

Indio Mandarinquat is great for Chinese New Year as the fruit colors up at the same time as the popular Nagami. They are popular as a Marmalade or Preserve and to make rich, citrusy syrups.

People also juice them, then slice the peel and pulp together into salads to add a tangy zip. Save the juice to use as a zippy cocktail mix in a glass with a sugared rim!

The Mandarinquat is high in vital nutrients. Because it is consumed whole, the skin's highly nutritious essential oils and fiber make this a tremendously healthy fruit.

The fruit is bigger than a Kumquat but smaller than a Mandarin. They are bell-shaped with a nobby little end where they attach to the limb. Received as budwood in 1972 under the care of John Carpenter at the U.S. Date and Citrus Station in Indio, California, the Indio Mandarinquat has quickly gained popularity with all that appreciate a great flavored Kumquat fruit.

These will be a beautiful and delicious addition to your landscape. Order yours today!

How to Use Indio Mandarinquat in the Landscape

If you are lucky enough to live in Zones 8 - 10, you can safely plant them in the ground. They are naturally short, pyramid-shaped and covered in fruit from December to April. They'll make gorgeous, ornamental lawn trees.

Consider planting multiples in a gentle curve along the length of an island garden bed in the yard. Or, use them as a low-edible border along the length of a sunny fence.

Otherwise, if you live in a cold winter climate, these perform exceptionally well in pots as an indoor/outdoor plant. Enjoy them as fun, fragrant Patio Trees all summer, then bring them indoors and place them near a sunny window to overwinter indoors. Keep them on the dry side indoors, as they won't need much water.

#ProPlantTips for Care

These trees require good drainage and can be pruned to any height. The fruit of the Indio Mandarinquat is persistent and once the tree is established, it is not uncommon to see fruit on the tree year-round.

However, this is not the case in colder climates when grown in a container as an indoor/outdoor plant. Being such a new selection, the information on indoor fruit ripening is not established, but other Kumquats typically ripen their fruit indoors successfully.

Make sure the container has plenty of drainage holes or drill additional holes as necessary. Raise the container with bricks to ensure the bottom won't sit in standing water. Use an acid-based potting soil, such as Dr. Earth Acid Lovers Organic and Natural Planting Mix. To that, add a quarter Pathway Bark Mulch to the total volume of your container to improve drainage.

Indio Mandarinquats like slightly acidic soils, so be aware of the pH of your water. Collect rainwater where possible. Too high of a pH may result in yellowing leaves. Fertilize with an acid fertilizer, such as Dr. Earth Acid Lovers Organic and Natural Premium Fertilizer.

Protecting Container Citrus From Cold

Although it's famous for growing in warmer regions, it can also thrive in colder areas as long as the tree is brought indoors prior to the first frost of winter.

If you're growing these tropical trees in the ground in the lowest of their favored growing zones, they need to be planted in a sheltered spot to avoid the worst of the chill. If a spot like that is unavailable, then you are better off planting in a large, deep container.

In borderline growing zones, begin slowly acclimating your tree indoors or into a protected location, eventually moving your tree inside in bright indirect sun for the winter if the temperatures in your area ever dip below that 40F range. In spring, reverse this process and begin acclimating your tree to again be back out in the full sun all summer. This reduces stress and leaf drop.

You'll love this nutritious and beautiful plant - order today!

Buying Options for Plants

Nature Hills sells a large variety of plants with several options available. Plants are offered in both potted containers and as dormant bare root without soil. Here is a helpful resource to understand your options as you create a beautiful landscape with help from Nature Hills.

Ever wonder what a larger plant will mean for your landscape? Container Sizes are really all about the age of the plant!

Seasonally, Nature Hills offers hand selected, high quality bare root trees, shrubs and perennials. Bare root plants are sold by height from the top of the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may be taller than the height minimums.

  • Popular sizes of select trees are 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, etc.
  • Popular sizes of select bare root plants is 1 foot, 18 inches, etc.

Nature Hills Container Size by Volume

Keep in mind, specific varieties and different growing conditions can affect the rate at which plants grow. Variations in size may occur.

Young Plants to 18 Months
Size Volume
2"x2"x3" Ranges from .18 to .21 dry quarts / .198 to .23 dry liters in volume
4.5" Container Equal to .65 dry quart / .72 dry liter in volume
Sprinter Pot Equal to .63 dry quart / .69 dry liter in volume
4" Container Ranges from .31 to .87 / .35 to .96 dry liter in volume
6" Container Equal to 1.4 dry quarts / 1.59 dry liters in volume
1 Quart Equal to 1 dry quart / 1.1 dry liter in volume
5.5" Container Equal to 1.89 of a dry quart / 2.08 dry liters in volume
4"x4"x5" Ranges from .8 to 1.1 dry quarts / .88 to 1.2 dry liters in volume
4"x4"x6" Ranges from 1.0 to 1.3 dry quarts / 1.1 to 1.41 dry liters in volume
4"x4"x9" Ranges from 1.1 to 2.1 dry quarts / 1.2 to 2.3 dry liters in volume
4"x4"x10" Ranges from 1.7 to 2.3 dry quart / 1.87 to 2.53 dry liters in volume
Plants 18 Months - 2.5 Years Old
Size Volume
2 Quart Equal to 2 dry quarts / 2.2 dry liters in volume
#1 Container Ranges from 2.26 to 3.73 dry quarts / 2.49 to 4.11 dry liters in volume
5"x5"x12" Equal to 3.5 to 4.3 dry quarts / 3.85 to 4.74 dry liters in volume
Plants 2 - 4 Years Old
Size Volume
#2 Container Ranges from 1.19 to 1.76 dry gallons / 5.24 to 7.75 dry liters in volume
#3 Container Ranges from 2.32 to 2.76 dry gallons / 10.22 to 12.16 dry liters in volume
Plants 3 - 5 Years Old
Size Volume
#5 Container Ranges from 2.92 to 4.62 dry gallons / 12.86 to 20.35 dry liters in volume
#6 Container Ranges from 5.25 to 6.01 dry gallons / 23.12 to 26.42 dry liters in volume
#7 Container Ranges from 5.98 to 6.08 dry gallons / 26.34 to 26.78 dry liters in volume

About Plant Sentry™

Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.

This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.

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Shipping

To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.

Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.

*If you have found your zone already, it will be highlighted in the table below.
Color Zone Times
3 Spring 2019
4 Now
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Shipping Rates

At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.

From To S&H
0 - 19.99 24.99
20 - 49.99 29.99
50 - 69.99 34.99
70 - 99.99 39.99
100 - 129.99 44.99
130 - 149.99 48.99
150 - 150+ Approx 28%

Click here to see our full rates

PLANT HIGHLIGHTS

Indio Mandarinquat Tree Is Suited to Grow in Zones 8-10 (Patio 4-10)
Growing Zones 8-10 (Patio 4-10)
More Information
Brand Nature Hills' Choice
Botanical Name Citrus x citrofortunella
Type Broad-Leaved Evergreen
Mature Height 10 - 12 feet
Mature Spread 4 - 5 feet
Sun Exposure Full Sun
Soil Well Drained
Moisture Moderate
Growth Rate Medium
Flower Color White
Foliage Green
Fall Color Evergreen
Harvest Time Late Season
Pollinator Friendly Yes
Fruiting Time 3 - 5 Years
Pruning Time After Fruiting
Fragrant Yes

Notice On Shipping Citrus: Agricultural Laws Prevent Us From Shipping Citrus Trees Into AZ, LA, TX, and Maybe Prevented in FL or CA