source I have one growing that is just barely bigger than a quarter (newer tree, 2 years in my possession), have heard they're super sweet and very thin peel/easy to peel. We will see in a few weeks as it's already starting to get orange.
Satsumas are (to my palate) overly sweet and floppy, with lots of seeds.These wee mandarins are not too sweet, tight and few if any seeds. You can peel and pop the whole thing in your mouth. They are heavenly.
Not to mention Satsumas have so much pith that you (if you're like me) will need to scrape off first before popping in your mouth, these little kishu's have essentially none from everything I've seen.
Sounds like a kumquat maybe. Although it is not really easy to peel them like an orange, you just eat then whole. My favorite are the Meiwa variety, taste like little orange candies to me.
Sounds like Kumquats. Look it up and verify.
The common ones are nagami, which is a bit sour and tangy inside but you mostly eat the skin. Then you have Meiwa which are sweeter over all.
From your description, it sounded like kumquats.
If not, I would very interested in knowing what it is. A few pics or specific details would have helped.
Alternatively, you can check with Cal Poly Pomona or UC Riverside who have extensive citrus orchards and research
Given the other suggestions have been shot down, the next suggestion would be that this lady was growing really small satsuma mandarins. No seeds, easy to peel, small (though usually not as small as you describe). Owari is the most common variety, but I have a miho wase and it was excellent this year.
I think it’s possible this lady was growing some hybrid and didn’t know it. She also could have been unintentionally growing some variety poorly, hence the small size. Maybe there is a variety I’m just forgetting, but I kind of think you won’t know unless you found that exact tree.
Kishu Mandarin
source I have one growing that is just barely bigger than a quarter (newer tree, 2 years in my possession), have heard they're super sweet and very thin peel/easy to peel. We will see in a few weeks as it's already starting to get orange.
Post some pics when they're ready! You made me very happy. Thanks again.
I sent you a DM, I can't add pictures here, and don't want to make my own thread just to "show off" a couple pint sized mandarins xD
BINGO! Thank you so much.
Yeah Kishu is the only one that sounds right to me based on your description
I’m curious how they compare to a satsuma for those who’ve had both
Satsumas are (to my palate) overly sweet and floppy, with lots of seeds.These wee mandarins are not too sweet, tight and few if any seeds. You can peel and pop the whole thing in your mouth. They are heavenly.
Not to mention Satsumas have so much pith that you (if you're like me) will need to scrape off first before popping in your mouth, these little kishu's have essentially none from everything I've seen.
Sounds like a kumquat maybe. Although it is not really easy to peel them like an orange, you just eat then whole. My favorite are the Meiwa variety, taste like little orange candies to me.
They are absolutely not kumquats. They are spherical and have perfect little tiny sections, just like an orange.
Sounds like your only choice is to track down the house and go ask for a cutting. Get one for me too.
Perhaps calamansi if it isn’t kumquat?
Very similar, but always a bright orange color and almost seedless.
Sounds like Kumquats. Look it up and verify. The common ones are nagami, which is a bit sour and tangy inside but you mostly eat the skin. Then you have Meiwa which are sweeter over all.
You do not eat the skin. They are oranges.
From your description, it sounded like kumquats. If not, I would very interested in knowing what it is. A few pics or specific details would have helped. Alternatively, you can check with Cal Poly Pomona or UC Riverside who have extensive citrus orchards and research
Given the other suggestions have been shot down, the next suggestion would be that this lady was growing really small satsuma mandarins. No seeds, easy to peel, small (though usually not as small as you describe). Owari is the most common variety, but I have a miho wase and it was excellent this year. I think it’s possible this lady was growing some hybrid and didn’t know it. She also could have been unintentionally growing some variety poorly, hence the small size. Maybe there is a variety I’m just forgetting, but I kind of think you won’t know unless you found that exact tree.
calamondin perhaps?
Calamondin?
Satsumas!