I have been unable to locate any sugar belles. Does anyone know a source for a grafted sugar belle (Harris Citrus does not have it available) or seeds?
I saw them yesterday at local Flea market in 2gal pots. They were air layers not grafted.
Looking for a source that can ship out of FL or that comes from outside of FL.
What I was trying to say, look at your local Flea Markets, you may find one there. It wasn't easy for me to find it in FL and I was surprised to see it at the Flea Market.
Brite Leaf Nursery says they will have some this spring.
Did they tell you approximately when? Thanks for the info!
The Cara Caras I pre ordered are supposed to be ready next month. You may want to go ahead and contact Anna or Amber @ Brite Leaf and place order. Also check to see what rootstock they are on.
Sugar belles are delicious! I have a few seed saved from my last couple of fruits if you can't find a grafted tree.
I agree Eyeckr, that's why I bought one at the southeastern citrus expo last fall. It is now in the ground with several fruitlets already sizing up.
Just added a dwarf Sugarbelle to my order from Brite Leaf...So I know they have them. To arrive next month.
Amber replied to my e-mail today.
It is a variety of trifoliate rootstock, not a hybrid like swingle.
Have they contacted you about shipping your order yet?
Sorry for the late reply, Countryboy1981. I talked to Amber today via e-mail and my trees are shipping out on Monday.
Sugar Belle: Sugar Belle was derived from a Clementine x Minneola Honey Belle cross. This mandarin hybrid is perhaps the most cold hardy of all non-satsumas in our trial. It produces a very attractive, bell-shaped fruit that is very high in sugar. It also is slightly higher in acid than is optimal. Fruit can have quite a few seeds when grown in a mixed block with citrus that can serve as pollinizers. Ripening date is November thru December. Sugar Belle could be considered for north Florida.
Mine will arrive Thursday, they were shipped out today.
Got my trees today and already have them in the ground. Had to go pick them up from carrier or they would have stayed in truck all day and night until tomorrow. These are not quite as big as the ones I usually get, but nice looking trees. Let us know what you think when yours arrive. I have always enjoyed dealing with Brite Leaf.
I saw somewhere that sugarbelles require a pollinator. Is that true? If so, what pollinator?
My understanding from Florida University reading, is that they may set larger crop with pollinator, but also seedy fruit. I have only had them once. I picked some last Nov. off the tree at Franklin Farms in Statesboro Ga. The flavor blew my wife and I away. They were delicious. In taste tests, they surpassed Clementine and Honey mandarin. (Of course your mileage may differ) We now have 2 trees.
Got them today, had 4 in all. They are decent sized for mail order/price. I got the sugar belle and the kishu in the groumd today. Still jave to plant the marsh grapefruit and glenn navel. Found a sunburst tangerine locally on clearance today as well.
Hey, Countryboy,. A little off topic, but are you coming to the Southeastern Citrus Expo this year in Valdosta Ga. I have been to the last two, in Fort Valley Ga, and Savannah, Ga. A lot of fun and informative. Have brought home some nice trees too.
TFN, I was at the Savannah Southeastern Citrus Expo. In fact I won the prize (a bag of oranges) for coming the longest distance to attend the Expo.
Would like to attend. If it was a little closer I would. It sounds like a fun time.
The next Expo is in Valdosta GA, the end of November.
My wife and I plan on being there. Will we see you there, Millet?