Citrus ‘Arcobal’

From Sicilian citrus breeding to ‘Arcobal’

‘Arcobal’ was created at the citrus research centre in Acireale, Sicily, from a cross made in 2000 between Meyer lemon and the Italian blood orange ‘Doppio Sanguigno’. A national plant-variety-rights application was filed in Italy on 12 March 2012.

The hybrid was selected as an ornamental citrus for its distinctive red-and-orange striped fruit, fragrant oil-rich peel and early, abundant fruiting.

Growing Citrus ‘Arcobal’ indoors

• Light: Give ‘Arcobal’ the sunniest indoor position available. Direct light supports compact growth, flowering and good fruit colour. After a dim period, increase sun exposure gradually over several days.
• Watering: Water when the surface has dried, the pot feels clearly lighter and the deeper mix is only lightly moist. Wet the mix thoroughly and let it drain. A full crop can increase water use, while cool or dim conditions slow drying.
• Potting mix and repotting: Use an airy citrus or loam-based mix that holds some moisture and drains freely. Keep the trunk base and any graft point above the mix. Repot when roots are crowded or old mix has become dense and dries unevenly, choosing a container only slightly larger.
• Temperature and humidity: Keep the plant warm while it is actively growing. If light levels and temperatures fall, growth can slow; keep the plant bright and frost-free, and scale back water and feed while growth remains slow. Keep indoor humidity moderate and place the foliage away from hot, dry radiator air.
• Feeding and pruning: Use a complete citrus fertiliser while new growth or fruit is developing, following the label. Prune selected long shoots after harvest or once new growth has matured, and support fruiting branches that begin to bend sharply.

Troubleshooting Citrus ‘Arcobal’

• Green leaves drop after a move: A sharp change in light, temperature or root moisture can trigger delayed leaf loss. Keep the plant in one bright position and base any watering change on how quickly the pot is actually drying.
• Leaves yellow while the pot stays heavy: Persistently wet, compacted potting mix can deprive fine roots of oxygen. Empty any standing water, let the mix dry enough for air to return around the roots and inspect for soft brown roots or a sour smell if yellowing continues. If decay is present, follow the root-rot guide.
• Brown dry patches develop on exposed leaves or fruit: Sudden strong sun or heat against glass can scorch tissue that formed in lower light. Move the plant slightly back from the hottest glass and reintroduce stronger sun gradually; damaged areas remain marked, so judge recovery by new growth.
• Sticky residue, brown bumps or fine speckling appears: Scale insects cause honeydew and attached bumps; spider mites leave pale stippling and may produce fine webbing. Isolate the plant and inspect stems and leaf undersides. When treatment is necessary, choose a product whose label covers both the pest and the plant, and repeat applications only as the label directs. The scale guide can help confirm attached insects.

If the cause is still unclear, send us clear photos of the whole plant, the affected area and the potting mix so we can help you narrow it down.

Keep Citrus ‘Arcobal’ away from pets

• The fruit flesh is edible, while leaves, peel and other plant material can irritate cats and dogs.
• These parts contain essential oils and psoralens that may cause vomiting, stomach pain, unusual tiredness or skin irritation.
• Contact a veterinarian if a pet chews the plant or develops symptoms. Seek medical advice if a person becomes unwell after exposure.

Why is it called Citrus?

Citrus is the classical Latin name used for citron and related citrus plants.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Citrus in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 782.