Citrumelo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Citrumelo |
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| Hybrid parentage | Poncirus trifoliata (Japanese bitter orange) x Citrus × paradisi (grapefruit) |
Citrumelo is a special kind of citrus plant. It's often called Swingle citrumelo trifoliate hybrid. This long name tells us a few important things about it. First, it's a hybrid, meaning it's a mix of two different plants. It was created by mixing a 'Duncan' Grapefruit with a trifoliate orange.
Second, it's known for being very cold hardy. This means it can survive in colder temperatures than many other citrus plants. Citrumelo is also super useful as a citrus rootstock. A rootstock is the bottom part of a plant that has roots, onto which another plant (like an orange or lemon tree) is grafted. This helps the top part of the plant grow stronger and resist diseases.
What is Citrumelo?
Citrumelo is a unique plant that combines features from two different citrus relatives. It was first developed by a scientist named Walter Tennyson Swingle. His goal was to create a citrus plant that could handle cold weather better.
A Special Hybrid
Citrumelo is a cross between a 'Duncan' grapefruit and a trifoliate orange. The trifoliate orange is a very tough plant that can survive cold temperatures. By mixing it with a grapefruit, scientists hoped to get a plant that had tasty fruit but was also strong and cold-resistant.
The scientific name for Citrumelo is × Citroncirus spp. This name is a blend of the two parent plants: Citrus (like grapefruit) and Poncirus (the genus for trifoliate orange). It shows that it's a hybrid between these two groups.
Superpowers of Citrumelo
Citrumelo is widely used as a citrus rootstock because it has many "superpowers" against plant problems. It is very resistant to several serious diseases and issues that can harm citrus trees.
For example, it can fight off the severe citrus tristeza virus. This virus can cause citrus trees to become sick and even die. Citrumelo is also resistant to phytophthora root rot, a disease that attacks the roots. It can also stand up to blight, cold weather, and tiny worms called citrus nematodes. These resistances make it a great choice for growing healthy citrus trees.
What About the Fruit?
Citrumelo trees produce yellow fruit. If you add some sugar, the fruit tastes and smells like a regular grapefruit. The trees themselves are very tough. They can survive temperatures as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit. This hardiness is one of the main reasons Citrumelo is so valuable in places where it gets chilly.
