Mandarin trees in melbourne?

Question

what garden location and soil conditions are required to grow a mandarin tree in suburban Melbourne

Answer 1

Your best bet appears to be to grow your mandarin in a sunny spot in the garden, in a pot.  See link below.

From a Gardening Australia Fact Sheet (second link):

"Remember that citrus love a hot sunny spot and plenty of water. If you're planting them in a pot, use good quality potting mix and feed regularly. Watch for pests and diseases because they can be prone to scale and citrus leaf minor. But aside from these problems, they make the perfect tree for a small backyard, courtyard or balcony."

Happy Gardening!

Answer 2

Unless you want to water all the time potted citrus is a lot of work and it makes a 'bonsai' type tree.

Citrus are easy, they like water, plenty of food and sun.  Not unlike roses.  Any good suburban soil is ok just add plenty of aged manures when planting and mix in well.  Use a citrus food regularly when the tree gets going.

Your only problem in Melbourne may be the cold.  They are frost tender.  If you have a sheltered court yard or a sunny north facing wall to grow one on, this is a big help.

I'm in NSW and my temperature in winter can go down to -5F and I'm growing citrus successfully.  

Find a nice warm sunny spot in the garden, plant in spring after the frosts have past.  Push the plant during the growing season with plenty of deep watering, and food once established.  When winter comes wrap the stem with thick newspapers wrapped around the stem and held on with some old stockings etc.  if you have them build a 'castle' around the stem with bricks or old pavers, this holds the heat and stops the frost damage.  After a few years the tree gets big enough to not need the frost protection although you can still get some leave damage which you prune off.

With some patience you will get your tree, temperature is your only worry.  Hope your successful.