“One of three pomelos planted together: Chandler, Tahitian, Valentine.”
Background
'Valentine' is a UCR pummelo hybrid from crosses made in the 1950s (the same program that produced Oroblanco): Siamese Sweet pummelo crossed with an unnamed tangelo hybrid of 'Ruby' blood orange and 'Dancy' mandarin. Cultivar released 1997; budwood released to nurseries 2009. Named for ripening around Valentine's Day and for the heart shape of the red flesh when the fruit is cut lengthwise and turned over. UA's AZ1925 notes desert performance was 'not well characterized' with only a few Arizona test trees.
Distinguishing traits
Grapefruit-sized fruit, small for a pummelo but larger than typical grapefruit; round with a pear-like protruding neck; dark yellow rind. Bright red, anthocyanin-pigmented pulp — unique among pummelos — with a complex, sweet, floral flavor, low acid, but seedy. Edible from December; red color develops from January; subject to granulation on young trees.
Desert care — zone 9b
- Chill hours
- Low.
- Cold hardiness
- ~28-30°F; moderate vigor; protect young trees from frost.
- Heat tolerance
- Desert heat tolerance unproven in formal trials (AZ1925: 'not well characterized' in Arizona desert); expect standard pummelo care — deep water and sunburn protection on young trees.
- Water
- Deep watering 1-2x/week summer; avoid nitrogen over-application which worsens granulation.
- Soil
- Well-drained, pH 6.0-7.5.
- Sun exposure
- Full sun; young-tree afternoon shade and trunk whitewash advised.