Identity
History & Description
Origin
Orlando tangelo is the brother of Minneola tangelo. Obtained in 1911 by W.T. Swingle in Florida, it comes from the same cross (Duncan grapefruit × Dancy mandarin). It was named in honor of the city of Orlando.Tree description
The tree is vigorous, with characteristic spoon-shaped (concave) leaves. It is slightly more cold-hardy than Minneola and very productive, often requiring a pollinizer.Fruit quality
The fruit is flattened, medium to large, with light orange, thin, clinging skin. Unlike Minneola, it has no pronounced "neck".Flavor and ornamental interest
Its flesh is very juicy and pale orange, with a mild, sweet flavor, less acidic than Minneola. It is an excellent early juice fruit, ripening as early as November.Updated:
What matters when choosing
Key points about Orlando Tangelo
Orlando is an early tangelo, a sibling of Minneola, with very juicy, gently sweet flesh. It is somewhat more cold-tolerant than Minneola, but needs a compatible pollinizer to crop regularly, which then makes the fruit seedier.
Why choose it
- Early maturity at the beginning of winter.
- Tender, very juicy, sweet flesh.
- Slightly better cold tolerance than Minneola.
Its limits
- A compatible pollinizer is recommended for good fruit set.
- Seedy fruit after cross-pollination.
- Thin peel that is not always easy to remove.
Practical notes
- Parentage
- Dancy mandarin × Duncan grapefruit
- Harvest at UCR
- November through January
- Pollination
- Cross-pollination recommended
Cold-hardiness reference: about 19°F (−7°C)
The comparison with Minneola is well documented, but an absolute threshold is not; the reference concerns a mature, sheltered tree.
Sources and method
The temperatures given are reference points for a mature tree with hardened wood. The table and callout repeat the same value as the profile. They guarantee neither freedom from damage nor a harvest after a freezing event.
Data reviewed on September 21, 2026.
- Givaudan Citrus Variety Collection — UCR — Parentage, season, flavor, pollination, and relative cold hardiness
- UF/IFAS — Florida tangelos — Season, seeds, and pollination requirements
- UF/IFAS — Florida Citrus Varieties — Comparative horticultural characteristics of tangelos