California Honey Mandarin Tree

California Honey is a semi-dwarf mandarin selected for rich, sweet fruit that ripens early in spring. Its fruit is light yellow-orange and may contain seeds; the cultivar is self-fertile. Container growth keeps its size manageable, while a tree in the ground can become taller. ## Fruit and size The [Four Winds Growers cultivar page](https://www.fourwindsgrowers.com/products/california-honey-mandarin-tree) describes the early spring harvest and seeded fruit. It lists 10 to 15 feet in the ground and 6 to 8 feet in a pot. The current pruned dimensions are consistent with maintained container growth. ## Siting Choose a sunny, sheltered place with well-drained soil. The grower recommends USDA zones 9-10 and protection below 32 F. In zones 4-8, grow it in a pot and bring it indoors for winter. Water when surface soil begins to dry and use citrus fertilizer according to its label. ## Maintenance Keep container citrus in its brightest available position. Prune lightly to control size or remove damaged branches; do not treat a compact pot-grown form as the mature size of a ground-planted tree.