AboutTom Alonzo Expertise I have been growing plants from seeds for at least 20 years. I have grown literally hundreds of different kinds of vegetables, trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, tropicals, some cacti, water plants, iris, rose, lilies, cannas, etc. I enjoy starting from seed.
Experience I've been growing my own seeds for 20 years with indoor propagation equipment I built myself. I am also an Allexperts volunteer on the perennial forum. I have completed the Master Gardener course through the Kansas State University Extension. I have experience with a wide variety of seeds and I have also read through Norm Deno's books on seed germination.
Question QUESTION: Hello Mr. Alonzo:
Six years ago I was eating a seedless Clementine tangerine and found one seed in it. I planted the seed and it has done well. I planted it in my back yard and now it is now almost 7 feet tall. I live in Arizona and there are many citrus trees in my neighborhood. However, my tree has never produced a single blossom or fruit. What can I do to get it to produce? Is it possible that I have a barren tree that may never produce?
ANSWER: Hi Andy,
Thanx for your question. The Clementine requires another Clementine for pollination. You can also use a Navel orange tree or a Satsuma tree for pollination. Don't use other citrus or your fruit will be way too seedy. I hope this helps.
Tom
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QUESTION: Hi Tom:
Thank you for the info, and I will be happy to give my tree a buddy. However this inspires two more questions: My tree has never produced any blossoms to be pollinated by another tree - will the presence of another tree affect this? If so what is the approximate maximum distance that the other tree should be placed?
Answer Hi Andy,
I completely forgot about the blooming. It takes anywhere from 5-7 years to get fruit from a seed grown tree (although there are cases of only 2-4 years). So, your tree is not yet completely mature or it would have bloomed. It will bloom when it reaches the appropriate maturity. Plant trees 12-20 feet apart. You indicated that there is a lot of citrus in your neighborhood. I used to live in Phoenix many years ago and I remember the heady scent of the orange trees when they blossomed. If you have a lot of other citrus in your neighborhood when your tree does start blooming the Clementine could be very seedy so it will help to have another Clementine close by. I hope this helps.
Tom
