Rooted Futures

Growing Change

Naartjie

Botanical Name:

Citrus reticulata

Family:

Crop Type:

Other Names:

Mandarin; Tangerine; Easy Peeler; Nartjie (Afrikaans); uNartjie (isiZulu)

Lifecycle:

Perennial, evergreen

Uses:

Food (fresh, juiced, segments); processing (canning, juice concentrate); aromatic (peel for zest and oils)

Naartjie is a small citrus fruit tree in the Rutaceae family, closely related to mandarins and tangerines. Trees are evergreen with glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant white flowers.

Fruits are small to medium-sized, flattened and easily peeled, with bright orange skin and sweet, juicy segments containing few or no seeds. The fruit is the primary edible part, consumed fresh or juiced.

Cultivated in frost-free subtropical to Mediterranean climates, particularly well-suited to South African conditions. Notable for its loose, easy-peel skin and strong association with South African citrus culture.

Climate

Climate Suitability:

Subtropical to Mediterranean; Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga citrus regions

Frost Tolerance:

Light frost tolerant

Heat Tolerance:

High

Sun Type:

Full sun

Soil Texture:

Sandy loam to loam

Drainage Requirement:

Well-drained

Preferred pH Range:

5.5–6.5 pH

Water Requirement:

Moderate; drought sensitive when fruiting

Irrigation Type:

Drip; Micro Irrigation; Basin Irrigation

Propagation

Propagation Type:

Grafting; Budding; Seed

Propagation Season:

Spring to summer

Germination Days:

14–21 days

Days to Transplant:

90–180 days

Propagation Notes:

Grafted plants on suitable rootstock preferred for disease resistance, uniformity, and earlier fruiting; seed-grown plants variable.

Planting

Planting Season:

Spring to early summer

Plants Per Square Foot:
Square Foot Method

0.25 per ft²

Plant Spacing:
Square Foot Method

60 cm

Plant Spacing:
Traditional Method

400–500 cm

Row Spacing:
Traditional Method

500–600 cm

Container Suitable:

Yes; dwarf types in large containers

Container Notes:

Hydroponic Compatible:

No

Hydroponic Systems:

Hydroponic Notes:

Aquaponic Suitable:

No

Aquaponic Notes:

Nitrogen-fixing groundcovers and aromatic herbs benefit citrus; avoid grass competition near trunk.

No crops on recorded.

Please contact us should you feel that this is incorrect.

Grass and strong root competitors reduce tree vigour; avoid planting near walnut.

No crops on recorded.

Please contact us should you feel that this is incorrect.

Pests & Diseases

Pest Types:

Citrus Psyllid; Scale Insects; Aphids; Mealybugs; Fruit Fly

Pest Control:

Monitor for psyllid (vector of HLB), use horticultural oils, biological controls, sanitation and approved treatments where necessary.

Disease Types:

Citrus canker, Phytophthora root rot, Sooty mould, Greening (HLB where present), Alternaria brown spot

Disease Control:

Use certified disease-free nursery stock, maintain drainage, remove infected material, manage psyllid populations and ensure tree nutrition.

Harvest

Planting Season:

Spring to early summer

Plant Spacing:
Square Foot Method

60 cm

Plant Spacing:
Traditional Method

400–500 cm

Row Spacing:
Traditional Method

500–600 cm

Nutrition

Edible Parts:

Fruit

Reference Food State:

Raw edible portion

Serving Size:

100 g

Nutrition Basis:

Per 100 g raw edible portion

Calories (kcal):

53 kcal

Calories (kj):

222 kj

Total Carbohydrates:

13.34 g

Protein:

0.81 g

Total Fat:

0.31 g

Dietary Fibre:

1.8 g

Starch:

0 g

Total Sugars:

10.58 g

Monounsaturated Fat:

0.06 g

Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

0.018 g

Omega-6 Fatty Acids:

0.048 g

Polyunsaturated Fat:

0.065 g

Saturated Fat:

0.039 g

Trans Fat:

0 g

Calcium:

37 mg

Chromium:

0 mcg

Copper:

0.042 mg

Iron:

0.15 mg

Iodine:

0 mcg

Magnesium:

12 mg

Manganese:

0.039 mg

Molybdenum:

0 mcg

Phosphorus:

20 mg

Potassium:

166 mg

Selenium:

0.1 mcg

Sodium:

2 mg

Zinc:

0.07 mg

Vitamin A:

34 mcg RE

Thiamin:
Vitamin B1

0.058 mg

Riboflavin:
Vitamin B2

0.036 mg

Niacin:
Vitamin B3

0.376 mg NE

Pantothenic Acid:
Vitamin B5

0.216 mg

Vitamin B6:

0.078 mg

Biotin:
Vitamin B7

0 mcg

Folate:
Vitamin B9

16 mcg

Vitamin B12:

0 mcg

Vitamin C:

26.7 mg

Vitamin D:

0 mcg

Vitamin E:

0.2 mg alpha-tocopherol

Vitamin K:

0 mcg

Recipes

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