The Dekopon (known as “Sumo” in the grocery stores) is large, easy-to-peel, and sweet mandarin. They’re also nearly seedless. And, if you find a seed, that is the only legal way to grow them in California (unless you are one of a small number of commercial growers in California) at this point in time. As a result of this exclusivity, they cost $3+ per pound here in California.
Last year we bought a few in hopes of finding a seed. No such luck. This year was a different story… we found one! So, off to learning how to germinating citrus from a seed I went, and up the seedling has now risen! The last photo was taken 15 days after initiating the process.
Can’t wait to share more about our Dekopon seed experiment with you! -Ben
Yay how exciting it was meant to be!
This is so interesting! We LOVE sumos, although this year they seemed a little less amazing- maybe due to the drought, we guessed? I didn’t know the seeds were so rare and prized! Can’t wait to see what happens with yours! I’ll live vicariously through your experiment, since I don’t think we’d do too well with them in the midwest! 🙂
You have a sumo tree?! Oh man… jealous!!! I hope one day ours will bear lots of fruit like yours!
The kid in the video looks like he’s 12. Smart kid.
How neat! Why is it the only legal way to grow them?
This is really cool. My fingers are crossed for you!
Oh, I’m so excited for you guys to try this! Those oranges are SO juicy and sweet! Yum!
Thank you for sharing! I super look forward to the updates. 🙂
What source dI’d you obtain your seeds from? I want to grow some for my family to eat but Ive had no luck.
update?
I had about 10 growing and about 4 were stronger and then 2 and then 1 they got up to about 80mm high but all died so this year I will do more research on perfect conditions to grow mandarin trees from seed, I am about to go on my buying spree tomorrow if they are in yet, I eat alot of them about 5 to 10 per day so though out the season I get a few seeds, about 20 all up last year.
Any updates I have 2 seeds now
I found eight seeds in a Sumo mid January. I did as above and got 6 to germinate. Of the six two of the seeds broke apart but are valiantly try to send up leaves. 1 is a little behind the curve but sent down a tap root so I’m pretty sure it will germinate. 3 have germinated and are about 1 1/2 in tall. I expect to get 4 seedlings out of this group.
That said. they won’t exactly be true Sumo oranges. My understanding is that the only way to get seeds in a Sumo is to have a bee cross pollinate with some other mandarin. Assuming they live and given the way genetics works I will probably wind up with 4 slightly different kinds of oranges. With luck one will be a keeper.
I WOULD LIKE TO BUY DEKOPON SUMO CITRUS MANDARIN SEED OR TREE
I found three seeds in one Sumo. Planted all three, one plant is about 3 feet high, one is 12″ high and the other is about 3″ high. They all look healthy. Planted I think maybe January or February
Hello!
My husband was lucky to have 10 seeds in one sumo and I planted all 10 of them. Out of the 10, I got 8 beautiful healthy seedlings and so excited to watch them grow! I am thinking about doing a website to share the rare growth of sumo seeds. If interested as I am just email me: [email protected]
Hello!! I just saw that my seeds have sprouted in the ziplock/paper towels!! I can’t find anywhere online about what to do next, whether that be planting them in a small pot first and what to use, how much sun, what nutrients to use if any….please help! My bf and I are obsessed with sumos and have found seeds before and tried to do the same thing but this is the first time a seed has sprouted!! We found 5 in one sumo!! And 1 has sprouts!! So can you help?!? Please!!! I don’t want to keep it in the zip lock longer than I should so I hope I get a reply quick because I can’t find anywhere online about what to do next!!