Growing Ugli Fruit Trees: Tips for Cultivating Citrus paradisi x reticulata in Your Garden

The demand for unique and exotic fruits is increasing, but some lesser-known varieties, like the Ugli fruit, often go unnoticed.

Despite its delicious taste and nutritional benefits, the Ugli fruit remains underappreciated due to its unconventional appearance and lack of marketing.

Unfortunately, this means that many people miss out on its rich vitamin C content and refreshing flavor.

Today, I’ll explore the beauty of the Ugli fruit trees and discover ways to incorporate this hidden gem into your diet, unlocking its health benefits and culinary potential.

What is Ugli Fruit or Jamaican tangelo?

Ugli fruit or Jamaican tangelo is a hybrid citrus variety created by cross-breeding tangerine, grapefruit, and oranges. Unlike its parent fruits, the ugli fruit has a thick, bumpy green rind that resembles an ugly mutant fruit, giving it its name.

Underneath the thick rind, however, lie segments of fruit similar to grapefruit that are higher in vitamin C and iron than its parents. The taste is a sweet-tart blend of grapefruit and orange flavors.

Ugli fruits are in season from late fall through winter months. Their unique appearance and tasty flavor profile have made them a popular homegrown citrus variety.

Potential Ugli Fruit Yields

A mature Ugli fruit tree can produce impressive yields when given optimal care. Here are some averages to expect:

• Dwarf Trees (6–8 ft): 15–25 fruits per year
  
• Semi-Dwarf Trees (8–10 ft): 30–40 fruits
  
• Standard Trees (10–15 ft): 50–75 fruits
  
• Mature Orchard Trees: 100–150 fruits
  

Peak harvest windows are fall through early winter. Yields may be lower for young or newly transplanted trees until they are fully established.

Proper pollination from another citrus tree also boosts production. With time and experience, home orchardists can refine their growing methods to maximize healthy Ugli fruit harvests each season.

Nutritional Value of Ugli Fruit

Ugli fruits or Jamaican tangelo are an excellent source of vitamin C, providing over 100% of the recommended daily intake per fruit. They also contain modest amounts of vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. The fruit segments have seeds similar to oranges that are high in fiber.

Nutrient	Amount per 100g
Calories	44 kcal
Carbohydrates	11.1 g
Vitamin C	35 mg
Vitamin A	50 IU
Thiamine (B1)	0.04 mg
Riboflavin (B2)	0.03 mg
Niacin (B3)	0.3 mg

Preparing Your Garden for Ugli Fruit Trees

Proper soil preparation and site selection are crucial first steps to planting a productive ugli fruit tree. The trees will thrive in nutrient-rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5-7.0. Compost and fertilizer can be added to amend clay-like or sandy soils before planting.

Ugli fruit trees grow 3–10 feet tall and prefer full sun exposure to produce healthy fruits. Hardiness zones ranging from 8-11 are generally most suitable for the trees to survive winter weather.

Space trees 10-15 feet apart to allow ample room for the branches to spread. Their deep root systems also need sufficient space below ground without competing with other plants and structures for water and nutrients.

Choosing a Planting Location

When choosing a planting spot for ugli fruit trees, pick an area that receives full sun for at least 6 hours daily. Sunlight is important for fruit production. Southern or western exposures are ideal.

Also, select a level patch of ground without slope if possible. Uglis don’t tolerate poorly drained soil conditions. Avoid low-lying areas where frost may pool.

Purchasing Ugli Fruit Tree Plants and Seedlings

Once you’ve prepped the soil and selected prime growing locations, it’s time to purchase your ugli fruit trees. Many nurseries and home improvement stores offer trees, but be sure to:

• Inspect plants for signs of disease or insects before purchase. Leaves should be dark green and blemish-free.
  
• Ask if the plants are certified disease-resistant varieties. Some cultivars have greater tolerance for common citrus illnesses.
  
• Consider the tree size. Standard trees reach 8–10 feet tall, while compact dwarf varieties max out at 6 feet, ideal for smaller yards.
  
• Check root systems for adequate size and that soil or growing medium isn’t dried out. Gently shake the root ball to ensure it’s intact.
  
• Seedling trees are more affordable but will take 5+ years to bear fruit. Mature trees start fruiting sooner within 1-2 years.
  

With any citrus selection, choose specimens that are brightly colored and vigorously growing. Avoid stunted or drooping plants which may not thrive after transplanting. Proper ugli fruit tree starts are key to success.

Planting Your Ugli Fruit Tree

Now that you’ve selected healthy ugli fruit tree seedlings or plants, it’s time to place them in the ground. Proper planting helps trees establish strong root systems for optimal growth and production.

Planting Procedure

1. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but only as deep. Loosened soil around the hole edges will collapse inward.
   
2. Remove the tree from any existing pot or container. Gently loosen or score the roots if pot bound.
   
3. Add a few inches of loose soil, compost or other organic matter to the bottom of the hole.
   
4. Position the tree at the same depth it was growing previously, with the trunk flare above ground level.
   
5. Backfill the hole with native soil, pressing firmly to eliminate air pockets as you go.
   
6. Form a shallow water basin around the base to direct water to the roots as needed.
   
7. Mulch around the tree trunk with wood chips, keeping it a few inches from the trunk.
   

Tree Support

Consider staking citrus trees for the first year to protect against wind damage, especially for dwarf varieties. Place stakes on the eastern and western sides of the tree, securing them loosely to allow trunk movement. Remove stakes after the first year.

With diligent watering and care, transplanted ugli fruit trees should leaf out within a few months and undergo considerable growth their first summer in the ground. Proper planting sets them up to flourish for decades.

You may like to read next citrus fruit article on Guide to Lemon Tree Growth Stage and Care

Caring for Your Ugli Fruit Tree

Now that your ugli fruit tree is established, it will need regular care and maintenance to stay healthy and productive. Here are some best practices:

Watering

• Water deeply once a week during heat waves, providing 1-2 inches of water.
  
• Cut back to once every 10-14 days in cooler periods.
  
• Check soil moisture 1-2 inches deep before watering.
  
• Avoid wetting leaves which can encourage disease. Direct water to soil.
  

Fertilizing

• In spring and summer, use a balanced citrus fertilizer based on fertilizer instructions.
  
• Time-release varieties can be incorporated into soil at planting.
  
• Compost or organic matter also provides steady nutrients when top-dressed onto soil surface.
  

Prunning

• Prune in late winter when trees are dormant.
  
• Remove inward-growing, damaged or crowed branches to open up interior.
  
• Thin some of the previous season’s growth to improve airflow/sunlight penetration.
  
• Maintain an open vase shape and remove suckers sprouting from the trunk.
  

With these basic care practices, ugli fruit trees will thrive for many harvest seasons. Monitor them also for any disease or insect problems and address issues promptly. Proper care ensures a bountiful Ugli fruit harvest each year.

Harvesting Your Ripened Ugli Fruits

After several years of diligent care, your ugli fruit tree will begin bearing crops of its unique citrus. Here’s how to know when fruits are ready and harvest them properly:

Signs of Ripeness

• Fruits will turn from green to a bright orange/yellow color.
  
• The thick rind will become slightly soft when gently squeezed.
  
• Segments inside will be plump and juicy. Some may have small seeds.
  

Harvesting

• Use pruning shears or a secateurs tool to cut fruits from branches.
  
• Twist and gently pull fruits to avoid damaging branches.
  
• Harvest after a rain or in morning when fruits are more plump.
  
• Collect fruits still clinging to branches into buckets for easy harvest.
  

Post-Harvest Care

• Rinse fruits if needed then allow them to dry at room temperature.
  
• Store in a loose plastic bag in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.
  
• Ugli fruits continue to ripen off the tree, becoming sweeter over several days.
  

With patience and care, homegrown ugli fruits will reward you for your efforts as a unique, tasty addition to the citrus harvest each fall and winter. Enjoy the fruits of your labor.

FAQs About Growing Ugli Fruit

How long until my ugli fruit tree bears fruit?

Seedling trees typically produce their first fruits 5-7 years after planting. Mature grafted trees start bearing 1-3 years after transplanting. Fruit production increases annually thereafter.

Can I grow an ugli fruit tree in a container?

Yes, ugli fruit trees can be grown in large containers with drainage holes that are at least 20 gallons in size. Use a well-draining potting mix and water regularly, especially in warm weather. Fertilize monthly during the growing season.

Which climates are best for ugli fruit trees?

Ugli fruit trees thrive in USDA plant hardiness zones 9–11, where winter lows rarely drop below 30°F. They tolerate moderate frosts but perform best in tropical or subtropical areas with year-round mild temperatures.

How do I propagate new trees from seed?

Collect seeds from ripe ugli fruits in the fall. Rinse and dry seeds, then sow 1/4 inch deep in the seed starting mix. Germination takes 2–3 months. Transplant seedlings 18–24 inches tall as bare roots or in small pots. Grafting also encourages dwarf, fruiting varieties.

When should I remove an old ugli tree?

Citrus trees last 20–30 years on average. Remove a tree if it appears significantly diseased, produces little to no fruit, develops hollow or dying areas in the trunk, or becomes unsafe during severe weather. Grind out old tree stumps and start fresh with new seedlings.

Conclusion

Growing your own Ugli fruit trees is a rewarding way to enjoy the unique flavors of this hybrid citrus. With the diligent soil preparation, planting, care practices and harvesting techniques outlined above, homegrowers can successfully nurture these trees from seedlings into productive parts of the home landscape.

The benefits of Ugli fruit go beyond its tangy Segments sweetness; these trees also add year-round greenery and flowers, providing wildlife habitat and creating privacy barriers in the process.

Best of all, nothing compares to biting into a freshly plucked fruit, knowing the time, nutrient and sunlight required for it to fully ripen.

For those seeking to add something exotic yet lower maintenance than other citrus varieties to their backyard, Ugli fruit trees are worth considering.

Their ruggedness and adaptability to different climates make them appealing choices to try one’s hand at growing.

With a bit of patience, Ugli fruit orchards can grace any home and keep on yielding abundant harvests for many seasons to come.