Tangerine - Sunburst Bush
Sale
Original price
$59.00
Original price
$59.00
-
Original price
$59.00
Original price
$59.00
Current price
$29.00
$29.00
-
$29.00
Current price
$29.00
Sunburst Tangerine Bush (Citrus reticulata 'Sunburst') Growing and Care Guide
- Taste of the Fruit: The Sunburst Tangerine is highly regarded for its excellent sweet-tart balance and rich, aromatic flavor. The bright orange, juicy flesh offers a vibrant burst of sweetness with a pleasant, mild tang and floral notes that make it exceptionally refreshing. It is nearly seedless in most conditions (usually 0–6 seeds), has a thin, easy-to-peel “zipper-skin,” and is considered one of the best-tasting mid-season tangerines for fresh eating, lunchboxes, and snacking. The flavor is consistently sweet even in slightly cooler weather compared to many other mandarins.
- Botanical Name and Common Names: The botanical name is Citrus reticulata 'Sunburst'. Common names include Sunburst Tangerine, Sunburst Mandarin, and Sunburst Honey Tangerine. It is a popular Florida-developed variety prized for its flavor, color, and extended harvest season.
- Average Height and Growth Rate: When grown and maintained as a bush (typically on semi-dwarf rootstock and regularly pruned), a Sunburst Tangerine Bush reaches an average height of 8–12 feet tall and wide, though unpruned plants can grow 12–18 feet. The growth rate is moderately fast to vigorous, especially during warm months, with young grafted bushes often beginning to fruit within 2–4 years after planting.
- Best Growing Environment and Sun Requirements: Sunburst Tangerine Bushes thrive in warm subtropical climates with well-draining, slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0–7.0) that is fertile and rich in organic matter. They require full sun with at least 6–8 hours (ideally 8–10 hours) of direct sunlight daily for heavy fruit production, deep orange color, and peak sweetness; good air circulation helps reduce the risk of fungal diseases common in humid areas.
- USDA Zone and Cold Hardiness: The Sunburst Tangerine Bush is recommended for USDA Hardiness Zones 8–11. It offers good cold hardiness for a tangerine, tolerating brief exposure to temperatures around 26–30F with protection (fruit is somewhat more sensitive than the tree). In marginal zones it performs very well when grown in large containers that can be moved indoors or sheltered during freezes.
- Water Requirements: These bushes prefer deep, infrequent watering to encourage strong root development while keeping the soil consistently moist but never saturated—excellent drainage is critical to prevent root rot. Newly planted or container-grown bushes may require watering 2–3 times per week during hot, dry weather, while established in-ground plants generally need thorough deep watering every 7–14 days in the growing season; reduce frequency in cooler months, allowing the top 1–2 inches of soil to dry slightly between waterings.
- Planting Guide: Plant Sunburst Tangerine Bushes in spring after the last frost risk has passed (or in fall in warmer zones) in a sunny, well-drained location. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, backfilling with native soil amended for drainage or a citrus-specific potting mix in containers of at least 15–25 gallons with multiple drainage holes. Space in-ground bushes 8–12 feet apart; apply a 2–4 inch layer of organic mulch around the base (kept several inches away from the trunk) to conserve moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.
- Fertilizing Times of Year with Specific Recommended Fertilizer: Fertilize Sunburst Tangerine Bushes three times per year during the active growing season—typically in late winter/early spring (February, before bloom), late spring (May), and early summer (June)—to support healthy foliage, flowering, and fruit development without encouraging tender growth vulnerable to cold. Use a balanced citrus-specific fertilizer such as a slow-release 6-4-6, 8-3-9, or 7-4-4 formula enriched with micronutrients (magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, and calcium); apply according to label rates based on tree size, water deeply afterward, and avoid fertilizing from late fall through mid-winter.