Carvalhal

Description

Carvalhal (C. deliciosa 'Karvalhal') is a precocious Portuguese selection of the Mediterranean mandarin group, from an unknown hybridisation and now widely grown in Portugal and exported across Europe. The tree grows straight and erect with foliage similar to the common mandarin. Fruit are fairly large — medium-large, round to slightly squat and spherical to oval — with easy-peel skin; the segments separate easily and cleanly. The juicy flesh is pleasantly sweet with a slightly tart edge. As a precocious (early-maturing) Mediterranean type it sits at Early on the relative NZ mandarin scale, though NZ-specific harvest months are not documented. Fruit holds on the tree at length without losing quality, but keeping after picking is poor, so pick for prompt fresh dessert eating rather than storage. The fruit carries many polyembryonic seeds. Grow in a warm sunny position in free-draining soil; standard citrus feeding from spring and good air circulation suit it.