Well, we have finally succeeded in importing 2x new Citrus varieties to New Zealand! This has been a very long and very expensive process, and we have taken on all of the costs and risks ourselves. We would highly appreciate it if folks can buy some of these Citrus seeds to support our efforts, as there was a 5000 minimum order per each of these varieties
You can order directly from our website here: https://agroforestry.co.nz/…/alemow-citrus-macrophylla…/ – $25 for 25x of each variety, with bulk pricing of $80 for 100x of each variety.
If anyone wants to buy a decent amount and run a Citrus grafting day in a few years, I will be very happy to assist!
Alemow (Citrus macrophylla) is a rare species of Citrus (according to the Tanaka system) from Cebu in the Philippines, where it is believed to originate. It is believed to be a hybrid of Celebes papeda (Citrus celebica) and pomelo. If used as rootstock, it has superb compatibility with lemons and limes (some varieties of lemon are incompatible with trifoliata), and many other Citrus too such as kumquats, and is emerging as a very high performing Citrus that copes with high salt levels and seasonal flooding. The fruit are sort of like giant limes and can be juiced or used to make marmalade.
Furr C-57 citrandarin (Citrus reticulata x trifoliata) is a hybrid between a Sunki mandarin and trifoliata. It is much more vigorous than trifoliata, and has a longer growing season (as it is evergreen). It is tolerant to Citrus tristeza virus, very tolerant to Phytophthora and very tolerant of citrus nematode – which are the most important diseases of Citrus in NZ. It is super cold tolerant if you want to grow it on for fruit, as it can handle at least -10C once mature and so suitable for places such as inland Otago. The fruit can be juiced or used to make a marmalade.
We also have imported a lot of other rare seeds from the USA/Canada as well late last year that are also available too. Most special of which are hybrid persimmons (hybrids between American and Asian persimmons, we can highly recommend these) and Canadian pawpaw (Asimina triloba native to Canada).
