The MGS Forum

Plants for mediterranean gardens => Fruit and Vegetables => Topic started by: MikeHardman on February 08, 2018, 08:17:51 AM

Title: monster lumpy orange
Post by: MikeHardman on February 08, 2018, 08:17:51 AM
Just an observation to share...

I manage the communal gardens in a development in Prodromi, on the western edge of Cyprus. This time of year, I spend a lot of time picking up the fallen fruit from the citrus trees. One of the sour orange trees, which had a crop of several hundred unremarkable fruit, had one exceptional one. It was about twice the diameter and very lumpy.

I guess fruit, like shoots, are subject to one-off abnormalities/sports. My photos show another such abnormality (a straight recessed greenish line). I would be intrigued to know where on the tree the lumpy monster came from, to see if more such fruit arise from it next year. But being a windfall, I'm out of luck on that score.

BTW, I there is a mandarin called 'Golden Nugget', which looks quite similar
- http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5093/5587988886_1a3c95794a_z.jpg
[from http://www.foodlibrarian.com/2011/04/golden-nugget-mandarins.html]
Unlike that, however, my fruit has a very thick rind (last photo).

Mike
Title: Re: monster lumpy orange
Post by: Umbrian on February 08, 2018, 08:53:24 AM
I think the monster lumpy mandarin is rather beautiful Mike - did it perhaps grow such a thick skin to protect the fruit inside after some kind of attack?
Title: Re: monster lumpy orange
Post by: MikeHardman on February 08, 2018, 09:02:05 AM
There is no sign of infestation or malady inside (I cut it open only this morning), and I get the feeling from the uniformity of the lumpiness and thickness of the rind, that it is a more general response. But general only within the scope of this single fruit.
I feel it is not a gall-like cellular response to some evolved or accidental stimulus from an esoteric agent.

Mike