Citrus reshni facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Citrus reshni |
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C. reshni
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| Citrus reshni |
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The Cleopatra mandarin (scientific name: Citrus reshni) is a special type of citrus tree. It is mostly used in farming as a "rootstock." A rootstock is the lower part of a plant, including its roots, onto which another plant (called a scion) is grafted. This helps the top part of the plant grow better.
Farmers often use Cleopatra mandarin rootstock for many popular citrus fruits. These include oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, and lemons. The tree first came from India. Later, it was brought to Florida in the United States from Jamaica in the mid-1800s.
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What Makes Cleopatra Mandarin Special?
The fruits of the Cleopatra mandarin are quite sour. This means they are not usually eaten fresh like other mandarins. Instead, they are grown for two main reasons:
- To be used as a rootstock for other citrus trees.
- To make juice.
Why is it a Good Rootstock?
The Cleopatra mandarin rootstock is very strong and can grow in many different types of soil. It can handle soils that have:
- Lots of limestone.
- High salt levels (salinity).
- Alkaline conditions (meaning the soil is not acidic).
- Shallow soil, where there isn't much depth for roots.
This rootstock is also good because it can fight off some serious plant diseases. It is resistant to the citrus tristeza virus and a disease called exocortis. However, it can have problems if its roots get too much water and not enough air (this is called root asphyxia). It is also sensitive to a plant disease caused by a type of water mold called Phytophthora.
One small drawback is that the Cleopatra mandarin rootstock grows slowly when it is young. But once it gets going, it can help the citrus trees grafted onto it produce many fruits. These fruits are often of excellent quality, though they might be a bit smaller than those grown on other rootstocks.
Images for kids
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A friendly robot
See Also
- In Spanish: Mandarino Cleopatra para niños
