(tangelo: citrus reticulata [mandarin] + citrus maxima [pummelo])
two seedlings, december 2009
carrboro, north carolina
two seedlings, december 2009
carrboro, north carolina
These guys were my second undertaking, after the unexpected lemons.
As citrus tend to have a fine root system, I was afraid of any possibility of root rot, and overcompensated - I set these seedlings into a soil mix that was far too lightweight, unable to retain much nutrition. After months of worry - how might a re-transplant damage two small and very delicate plants - I faced the music, in the fall of 2009, and re-potted them into small pots with sturdier soil.
Slowly, they've begun to respond - the new growth is still slow, but healthy looking, with a few rich green leaves. The leaves have a wonderful scent - a sweeter (but spicier) variant of the smell that lingers on the fingers after hand-peeling an orange.
As of winter, they do seem to be enjoying their window perch - south facing, in a humid and warm bathroom, a perfect ersatz greenhouse.
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