Citrus made easy for growers, nurseries, and distributors

Most of our agricultural or nursery customers know that ordering one year in advance for our Large Pot trees is important. For Citrus Liners or Small Pots, we recommend 4-6 months of lead time. It’s always advisable to connect with the sales team, as they may have trees available that are not listed on the website.

Minneola tangelo trees have moderate resistance to common pests and diseases, but like most citrus trees, they still require attentive care to stay healthy. While they are not particularly pest-resistant, they can tolerate minor infestations if managed promptly.

These trees are susceptible to typical citrus pests such as aphids, which feed on the sap of new growth and can transmit disease. Citrus leafminers may also be a problem, as their larvae burrow into the leaves and cause visible curling and distortion. Scale insects are another concern, as they weaken the tree by sucking sap and can lead to the development of sooty mold. If the tree is allowed to be in moisture stress, spider mites may appear, causing stippling or bronzing on leaves. Whiteflies, which secrete honeydew, can contribute to mold growth as well.

In terms of disease resistance, Minneola tangelo trees are moderately resilient but not immune. They can be affected by Phytophthora root rot, which can develop if the soil is poorly drained or overly wet. One of the most serious threats is citrus greening, also known as Huanglongbing or HLB, a bacterial disease spread by the Asian citrus psyllid. There is currently no cure for HLB, so prevention is key.

Citrus trees are highly regulated because of their sensitivity to graft transmissible or insect vectored diseases. The USDA visits TreeSource every month to ensure the facilities meet the standards for shipment. In addition, TreeSource is part of CDFA’s clean stock program and uses budwood from CDFA-certified sources grown in inspected, APHIS-approved, insect-resistant structures. These structures are greenhouses and screenhouses with positive pressure entrances called “vestibules,” which prevent insects from entering.

Minneola tangelo trees are commonly grafted onto rootstocks such as Carrizo citrange, Trifoliate orange, or Swingle Citrumelo, each offering specific advantages depending on the growing conditions.

Carrizo citrange is one of the most widely used rootstocks due to its vigor, disease resistance, and adaptability to a range of soil types. It promotes strong growth and high fruit yield, making it a popular choice for commercial and home orchards alike.

Trifoliate orange, on the other hand, is often selected for its cold hardiness and dwarfing effect, which is ideal for smaller spaces or container growing, though it may slightly reduce fruit size and yield compared to more vigorous rootstocks.

Swingle provides good tolerance to various soil conditions and imparts excellent fruit quality, but it is less commonly used in California.

The choice of rootstock has a significant impact on tree size, disease resistance, cold tolerance, and overall productivity. For example, a Minneola tangelo tree grafted onto a dwarfing rootstock like Trifoliate orange will be smaller and easier to manage, while one on Carrizo citrange will grow larger and produce more abundant fruit. Ultimately, selecting the right rootstock helps ensure that the tree thrives in its specific environment and meets the grower's needs for fruit production and maintenance.

TreeSource uses UPS for most of our deliveries nationally. We ship only on Mondays, which assures the trees get to their destination by UPS Ground within the work week so the trees don’t sit somewhere over the weekend. This also helps keep the shipping costs reasonable. TreeSource uses the best methods and boxes to ensure a successful delivery. Check out the videos on our FAQ page for more information.