In the fall of 2007, the inventor observed a single tree of Clementine mandarin (Citrus Reticulata Blanco) that was fully colored and mature nine to ten days earlier than the other Clementine mandarin trees in a 40-acre orchard in an area just south of the City of Fresno, Calif., in the San Joaquin Valley of Central Calif. This single tree on C-35/Citrange rootstock, Ponicrus TrifoiateĆCitrus Sinensis, produced a heavy crop in the fourth year (2008) with the fruit varying in size from small to medium, yellow or orange color when fully ripe with sugar content of 11% at maturity, Oct. 14-18, 2008, with a pleasant flavor.
The new variety of Citrus Reticulata Blanco is a bud sport of Clementine mandarin. The sport of Clementine mandarin was observed in 2007 because of its continuing earlier maturity and harvest than the original Clementine mandarin while maintaining its distinguishing characteristics.
The Parga No. 2 is characterized by producing a small to medium yellow-orange fruit with a pleasant flavor and good productive capacity that matures for harvesting and shipment October 14-16 in the Fresno area of the San Joaquin Valley. This variety can be compared to Clementine mandarin but matures nine to ten days earlier.
Directly below is a cluster of three fruits attached to a young branch with several leaves.
To the right is a side view of a fruit attached to a young branch and leaves.
Across the lower part of the photograph are two rows of fruit. On the upper row and to the left is a side view of fruit and stem attached, and to the right a smaller fruit. Then to the right is a fruit cut in half along center displaying the flesh followed by a bottom view of the fruit on the right.
On the bottom row is a side or lateral view of fruit followed by two halves displaying the segments of the flesh of the fruit. Finally, on the right is a fruit displaying the top view.
Referring more to the horticultural description of the new and distinct variety of Mandarin tangerine, the following description has been observed under the ecological conditions prevailing at the origin orchard which is located near the City of Fresno in the San Joaquin Valley of Central Calif. All major color descriptions are by reference to the Dictionary of Color by Maerz & Paul, First Edition, published in 1930. Common colors are also employed.
Height: 8-10 feet (244-304 cm)
Width: 8 feet (244 cm)
Vigor: very good
Figure: upright with a spreading shape
Productivity: very good
Regularity of Bearing: regular
Mature: Mt. Vernon Green (23-J-8)
Immature (less than one year): Cossack green (23-J-11)
Upper surface: Evergreen (24-E-12)
Lower surface: Art gr. (22-L-7)
Petiole color: Cypress Green+Forest Green (23-L-6)
Size: 0.24 inch (0.61 cm)
Size: small, 0-2.00 inches, (0-5.08 cm)
Shape: conic
Surface texture: nearly smooth
Size: 0.79-0.91 inches (2.0-2.3 cm)
Petals: 4-5
Petal Color: White (1-A-1)
Petal Length: 0.16-0.20 inch (0.41-0.51 cm)
Petal Width: 0.08-0.11 inches (0.20-0.28 cm)
Size: 0.14-0.20 inch (0.36-0.51 cm)
Color: Popcorn (9-J-3)
Color: Endive (17-L-3)
Color: Cavalry, Deep Chrome Y (9-L-7)
Color: Apricot Y. (9-K-5)
Average height: 1.75 inch (4.45 cm)
Average height: 2.43 inches (6.17 cm)
Average width: 2.52 inches (6.40 cm)
Average weight: 4 ounces (113.40 grams)
Length: 0.20 inch (0.51 cm)
Length: 0.19-0.20 inch (0.48-0.51 cm)
Color: Eden Gr (20-L-9)
Color: Cadmium Y (9-L-8)
Thickness: average 0.08-0.16 inch (0.20-0.41 cm)
Surface: slightly pebbled to rugose
Vesicles: globose to obovoid
Flesh Color: Golden glow (9-L-6)
Skin: tender
Pulp Color: uniform Calvary Deep Chrome YP (9-L-7)
Quantity: moderate
Color: Empire Y. (9-K-3)
Sugar: 11%
Sugar Acid Ratio: 12.0
The above description of a new variety of Clementine mandarin is based on growing conditions in the Central San Joaquin Valley of Calif. Variations of the usual magnitude such as differences in maturity dates and production may be due to cultural activities such as irrigation, fertilization, pruning and climatic change.