Changsha mandarin

Citrus reticulata Blanco

CRC 3577
PI 539512
VI 979 (Different source)

Source

Received as seed from Mr. John Cree, Jr., Texas AES #19, Crystal City, Texas, 1963.

Parentage/origins

Parents unknown.

Rootstocks of accession

Carrizo citrange, C-35 citrange

Season of ripeness at Riverside

November to January

Notes and observations

Changsha produces heavy crops of small, puffy, and seedy fruit. However, the fruit is very sweet and juicy. This variety tends to be highly alternate bearing. One of the few trees that came through the 1962-63 winter freeze at Crystal City, TX.

3/1987, EMN: Highly alternate bearing- fruit small, puffy, seedy- sweet flavor.

10/1988, EMN: WPB made a note in the accession book questioning the identity of this one. If I can ever catch him in a mood to talk about it, I'll ask him what the problem is. In the meantime, my best guess is that Changsha may be the name of the place this cultivar came from rather than a varietal name. Stand by but don't hold your breath.