Clemenpons Clementine

Clemenpons Clementine mandarin is owned by Juan Pons, Spain , who also owns the cultivar rights. It’s protected by the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act, 1976 (as amended), and unlawful propagation is not permitted. SA PBR application PT 3243.

Origin
A spontaneous bud mutation of Nules Clementine mandarin, Clemenpons Clementine mandarin was discovered in 1968 near Pego, Alicante Province , Spain . The characteristics are similar to those of Nules, with the exception that maturity is about 14 days earlier. Therefore, it is essentially an early-maturing Nules mutation and cultural practices should be applied accordingly. The marketing advantage of Clemenpons is earlier fruit maturity than Nules and better internal fruit quality than Marisol Clementine.

Vegetative growth and development
With their compact growth habit, the trees are not particularly vigorous, reaching 2.8 m in height by year eight. It is compatible with Troyer, Carrizo and C-35 citranges.
The tree develops stem galls which retard the vigour and influence size control and fruit quality. Because of the smaller tree size, the variety can be planted at higher densities than other Clementine selections. Planting densities of 4.5 x 1.75 – 2 m are recommended.

Reproductive growth and development
Clemenpons matures in mid-April, five to seven days after Marisol, seven to ten days after Oronules and about 14 days before Nules. Although rind colour development occurs after that of Marisol, quality is superior. In addition, since Clemenpons matures when conditions are not ideal for colour development, rind colour will need to be manipulated carefully.
Having been successfully degreened in South Africa , Clemenpons requires careful maturity indexing to ensure that fruit is picked at the correct stage of colour break.
Clemenpons trees on Carrizo citrange in Spain form a bud union crease, possibly because of the presence of a virus or viroid. Therefore, auto-girdling occurs, resulting in good fruit set and enhancing internal quality and colour. However, in some cases, heavy cropping with resultant smaller fruit size can occur, coupled with the danger of alternate bearing. So, it’s necessary to regulate and balance crop load and fruit size through crop manipulation.

Climatic suitability
The variety grows well in areas where Nules Clementines are produced successfully, as well as hot, arid regions.

Key characteristics

• The trees are productive and dwarfed.
• Because the trees are slow growing, an extra year is needed to fill tree row volume. Cropping should be done only from the fourth year after planting.
• Tree size at maturity of eight years will be 50% smaller than a Nules Clementine on the same rootstock.
• Galls will appear on the stems of young trees and will increase in size and profusion with age. The galls should be managed with stem paints or covers.
• A Clemenpons tree is likely to have a shorter lifespan than other Clementines because of stem galls.
• The internal quality of Clemenpons is superior to that of Marisol.
• Clemenpons trees on Carizzo citrange in Spain form a bud union crease.