Citrus is a big crop in Australia. The country produces 600,000 tons of citrus products each year, according to the Australian Citrus Growers. Citrus is grown in all of the states in Australia with the main growing regions being in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, and to a lesser degree in the Northern Territory. Australia's climate gives most home gardeners the opportunity to grow their own fruit in most areas, with the exceptions being in the mountains and tropical regions.
Mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata) is also known as satsuma and tangerine. The tree grows from 15 to 20 feet--4.6 to 6.1 meters--tall with lance-shaped leaves and fragrant, white flowers that bloom in the early spring. The fruit measures from 2 to 4 inches--5.1 to 10.2 centimeters--in diameter, has loose skins and is easy to peel. The fruit ripens in early winter.
Mandarin orange is native to Southern China and Southeast Asia and needs full sun to partial shade and a soil that is moist. The mature tree is hardy at temperatures as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit(-9.4 degrees Celsius) as long as the temperature drops gradually without a sudden frost. Trees less than four years old need winter protection. The flowers attract both bees and butterflies.
Meyers lemon (Citrus meyeri) is also known as improved Meyer lemon, Chinese dwarf lemon and dwarf lemon. The tree grows from 6 to 10 feet--2 to 3 meters--tall with shiny evergreen leaves and fragrant, pinkish flowers. The bright canary-yellow fruits measure up to 3 inches--7.5 centimeters--in diameter with a smooth, thin skin. Meyers lemon is a native of China, does best in full sun and a moist soil. The tree does best in cooler climates and can withstand winter temperatures as low as 23 degrees Fahrenheit (-5 degrees Celsius). Myers lemon is often planted in containers and brought indoor if the temperature gets too cold or too hot.
Kumquat (Fortunella spp) is also known as cumquat, nagami kumquat and nagami cumquat . The tree grows from 8 to 10 feet--2.4 to 3.1 meters--tall with evergreen leaves 2 to 3 inches--5.1 to 7.6 centimeters--long and about half as wide. The flowers bloom in late spring and are followed by the oblong, bright-orange fruits in the fall.
The tree is a native of China and grows best in full sun and a moist soil. Kumquat is hardy from 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit (-12.2 to -9.4 degrees Celsius). Kumquat is also used as a container plant.