Description
The Minneola Tangelo or Honeybell Tree is a natural cross of the tart Duncan grapefruit and the sweet Dancy tangerine. This citrus tree has shiny dark-green pointed leaves, and fragrant blooms. These Trees produce large, juicy, sugary-sweet, easy to peel, seedless bell-shaped fruits that are called “Honeybells”.
Tangelo Trees are amazing evergreen citrus trees from the flowering family Rutaceae. They are in an entirely different class of their own and are neither pomelo (Citrus paradisi) nor tangerine (Citrus reticulata) but a natural cross of the tart Duncan grapefruit and the sweet Dancy tangerine. Because of its lineage, this citrus tree can grow to the size of the standard orange tree. It is also more cold hardy than a grapefruit tree but less so when compared to a tangerine tree.
One of the most popular tangelo trees released is the fabulous Minneola Tangelo Tree, which was released by the USDA Horticultural Research Station in Orland in 1931. This tangelo tree grows bushy and small, about 8’ to 12’ in height, when planted in the ground and smaller when grown in a pot. This fruit tree has a rounded growth habit, shiny dark-green pointed leaves, and fragrant blooms. The white flowers appear in spring making it a wonderful container subject or an accent tree. For the tree to reach its optimal size, it is best grown in USDA growing zones 8-11. If grown in other regions of the US, it can be planted in a container and brought indoors during winter.
The Minneola Tangelo Trees produce large, juicy, sugary-sweet, easy to peel, seedless bell-shaped fruits that are called “Honeybells”. Because of its large size – bigger than an orange and slightly smaller than a grapefruit – and refreshing flavor that is very similar to a tangerine but is more substantial and more flavorful, honeybell has made a name in the gift fruit industry. Honeybells are in season in spring and are typically pre-ordered online and rarely available in stores.
Citrus Tree Care
If you are planning or have decided to grow tangerine trees, it is best to get them from a trustworthy nursery to ensure you will be getting healthy trees. Minneola Tangelo Trees are typically grafted on rootstocks like Cleopatra mandarin, Swingle citrumelo, or Trifoliate orange. Grafting gives Honeybell trees improved cold hardiness, higher disease-resistance, and can create desirable dwarfing.
Once you have the tangelo tree delivered to your door taking care of it is simple, and will be worth your time.
- Seasonal Information – classified as a tropical fruit, the Honeybell tree is ideal for outdoor planting in USDA growing zones 8 through 11 and is best planted in spring thru fall since this tree tend to be more sensitive to colder temperatures. On the other hand, if you experience harsh, cold winters, it is highly advisable that you grow your tangelo tree in a pot with casters so you can easily move it indoors before frost or strong wind moves in.
- Selecting a Location – So you will not feel harried when the honeybell tree you recently bought arrives, it is best that you select the perfect planting location for it ahead of time. Choose a location where your tree can get as much as 6 to 8 hours of full sunlight per day. This tree can tolerate some shade, but do better in full sunlight. If you are planting more than one honeybell tree you need to space them 8 to 10 feet apart. If you are to grow this tree in a pot keep in mind that it likes humidity and leaves need a daily dose of misting. You can place a tray of rocks filled with water under the tree to provide it its much-needed humidity.
- In Ground Planting Instruction
- Dig a hole as deep and twice as wide as the root system.
- Gently remove the tree from the container it arrived in and place in the hole you have prepared. Back fill the hole with sandy, well-draining, acidic soil while packing it lightly to avoid formation of air pockets.
- Deeply water your tree for about 5 minutes then mulch around the area to insulate the roots and prevent weeds from growing. Don’t stack mulch upon the trunk.
- Watering – citrus fruit trees, including tangelo trees do not like wet feet or standing water. To promote the formation of healthy root system on young Minneola trees use deep watering technique for water to penetrate the root system. Wait until the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out before watering your citrus trees You can also get an inexpensive moisture measuring tool from any local gardening store to help you determine when to next water your trees. If the tool measures less than 50 per cent soil moisture then it is time to deeply water your trees again.
- Fertilizing – growing citrus trees need high dose of nitrogen to grow and bear fruit. For tangelo trees you need to feed them specific fertilizer for citrus trees once every six weeks in spring and summer to keep the trees on a healthy growth cycle and at the same time replenish the nutrients in the soil. Cut back on citrus fertilizer in fall and spring to once every 2 to 3 months.
Fruit & Harvesting
Fruit
Minneaola Tangelos or Honeybells are large-sized fruits, almost the size of grapefruits, with a distinct elongated “neck” or protruded “nose” at the stem-end neck. They have smooth, medium-thin, deep-orange colored rind that is smooth, finely-pitted and fairly easy to peel.
Honeybells are typically seedless, with few seeds if any. The flesh of this fruit is orange-colored and pulps are segregated in 10-12 segments. The flesh is tender, juicy and aromatic.
Honeybells are as sweet as tangerines but with a burst of citrus tartness that came from its grapefruit parent.
Minneaola Tangelos are best eaten fresh out of hand or squeezed for juice. It can also be used when baking cakes or pastries, tossed in a salad or as an ingredient in recipes requiring an orange. You can also use this great tasting fruit to make smoothies, shakes and other cold goodies like gelatos or granitas.
Harvesting
Honeybells are in season in spring. Ripe Minneaola tangelos are juicy and heavy for their size. The rind color is also orange when ripe with a tinge of red hue on it. The fruit is firm but slightly soft as is typical of ripe fruits.
When selecting your Minneaola for harvesting select one that is firm and heavy in your hand for its size and one that does not have soft spots or wrinkled skin. Check the scent and pick one that smells particularly good and not fermented. Do a taste test to check if the juice and flavor has reached its peak. If satisfied pick the rest of the fruits on the tree as leaving the fruits on the tree for a long time can reduce the crop the following year.
Advice
Minneola Tangelo trees are bushy trees suited for outdoor growing in USDA growing zones 8 to 11. These trees grow up to 8’-12’ upon reaching maturity. The flowers are in bloom in spring and fruits are in season in spring the following year. These trees are cold hardy but needs to be protected when temperatures goes below 30º.
Minneaola Tangelo Trees are not strongly self-fruitful and produces more fruit when planted beside suitable pollinators like Temple, Fallglo or Sunburst.
Pests and Diseases
- Citrus Rust Mite – it is a citrus pest found in humid areas suitable for growing citrus trees. It attacks leaves, twigs and fruits causing leaf drop and smaller fruits.
Horticultural oils are effective when controlling rust mites. You can also use beneficial insects like ladybird beetles to minimize the citrus rust mite population.
- Citrus Psyllid – it is an Asian sap-sucking bug that feeds on young tender growth and causes leaf curling and distortion. Although it will not directly kill the citrus tree it can transmit Huanglongbing disease that can kill growing citrus trees.
Oil sprays are effective in controlling citrus psyllid population when applied frequently. When there is major infestation professional pest control may be needed.
- Alternaria Brown Spot – this fungal disease infects young shoots and leaves and causes dieback, heavy defoliation and severe fruit drop. Infected fruits will have sunken black spots with yellow halo.
Prevention is the best way to control this disease. Trim trees away from the ground and increase circulation to avoid standing water. Remove any debris or fallen fruits under the tree’s canopy.
You can also use copper fungicides to control this disease. The first spray must be done when new growth has expanded to ¼ or ½. The second spray must be applied when the leaves are near to full expansion to reduce risk of fruit infection. Another spray should be done 4 weeks after petal fall. Additional spray applications may be needed depending on the frequency of rainfall in the months of April through June.
