Citrus × tangelo 'Minneola'
Light: Full sun, ideally 6–8 hours daily; young trees benefit from protection against intense Phoenix afternoon sun.
Water: Deep, regular irrigation; not drought tolerant. Wet the root zone about 2–3 feet deep, then allow the upper few inches of soil to dry. Water more frequently during extreme summer heat and less in winter; keep water away from the trunk.
Soil: Well-drained soil; sandy loam is ideal. Tolerates mildly alkaline soil, but Phoenix soils may cause iron deficiency. Avoid poorly drained locations and keep the graft union above soil level.
Mature size: About 15–20 feet tall and wide on standard rootstock; approximately 8–12 feet on dwarfing rootstock, depending on pruning and growing conditions.
Bloom: Fragrant blossoms in late winter to spring, typically February–April; fruit generally ripens January–March in Phoenix.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast with adequate irrigation and citrus fertilizer.