Le Lectier

Taste

Susceptibility & resistance

Parentage

Williams × Bergamotte Fortuné

Breeder

Auguste Lesueur

Pollination

self-sterile – needs a pollinator variety

Given in thirds of a month (early / mid / late) for the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate; altitude and season shift them.

Fruit

Very juicy, tender-melting flesh. Sweet with a fine, wine-like acidity and a light cinnamon note. On poor sites tannin content can rise. Fruit is very pressure-sensitive and quickly turns mealy.

Growth

Growth vigorous at first, weaker once in full bearing. Best trained as a low-stem in the garden or as a wall espalier.

Yield

Yield starts comparatively late, then regular. Fruit tends to drop prematurely.

Notes

High heat requirement, prefers warm, deep, nutrient-rich and adequately moist soils in a sheltered spot. Not for higher elevations. Tree-ripe early to mid October, ready to eat November to mid December; keeps about one month in natural storage.

Care

Choose a warm, sheltered site. Pick late because of premature drop, but handle fruit carefully as it bruises easily.