'Encore' mandarin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids King x Willowleaf 'Encore' |
|
|---|---|
| Hybrid parentage | King × Willowleaf |
| Cultivar | 'Encore' |
| Origin | California, United States |
The Encore mandarin is a special type of citrus fruit. It's a cultivar, which means it's a plant grown for certain features. This mandarin is a hybrid, meaning it was created by crossing two different mandarin types: the King mandarin and the Willowleaf mandarin.
A scientist named H.B. Frost developed the Encore mandarin in California, United States. It first started being sold in 1965.
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Where Encore Mandarins Grow
Encore mandarins are grown in different parts of the world. They are grown in Japan, often inside greenhouses. Greenhouses help keep the plants warm and protected.
In Portugal, more farmers started growing Encore mandarins because the fruit sold for high prices. However, the amount of land used for growing them is now staying the same or even getting smaller.
What the Encore Mandarin Tree Looks Like
The Encore mandarin tree has a unique shape. Its branches grow upwards, forming sharp angles with the main trunk. You won't see many branches hanging downwards on this tree.
All About the Encore Fruit
The Encore mandarin fruit tastes great inside. It has excellent quality. However, it doesn't have as much vitamin C as a regular orange.
Each Encore mandarin can have 25 or more seeds. But in some places where they are grown, farmers have found ways to reduce the number of seeds.
Growing Challenges
Encore mandarin trees often produce a lot of fruit one year, and then much less the next. This is called "alternate bearing." In years with a big harvest, the fruit uses up a lot of the tree's energy. This can even cause the branches to become weak.
Sometimes, the fruit's peel can get small dents or spots. This is called "peel pitting." It can make the fruit harder to sell, especially in new markets. Another problem is that the fruit can sometimes split open in the autumn.
Encore Mandarin Hybrids
The Encore mandarin has been used to create new types of citrus fruits. It is a parent of several other hybrids, including:
- 'Kuchinotsu No. 37' (a cross between Kiyomi and Encore)
- 'Nou 5 gou' (a cross between Kishu mikan and Encore)
- 'Tsunonozomi' (a cross between Kiyomi and Encore)
- 'Amaka' (a cross between Kiyomi and Encore)
- 'Mihocore' (a cross between Miho satsuma and Encore)
- 'Tsunokagayaki' (a cross between 'KyOw No. 14' and Encore)
