Oranges
Orange trees originate in the south-eastern Asia (northern India, close Burma and southern China). Nowadays it is cultivated in almost every subtropical and tropical region with suitable climates. It is the most widely cultivated citrus of all, making up to 2/3 of the entire global citrus production. Plain form of orange trees was never found.
Oranges are evergreen subtropical tree with spherical crown, which can grow as high as 6 to 10m. Some orange varieties are completely thornless, some have typical spikes. Usually large, dark green leaves of orange tree have typical orange fruit fragrance and quite long petioles (either narrow or with small wings). Its white flowers grow mainly in big clusters and are located almost exclusively on young shoots. They are very attractive for bees and other insects and are pollinated shortly after blossoming.
Once the flower opens, it never closes again and therefore it is necessary that citruses in our climate blossom as early as possible, so that the flowers and later also fruit experiences enough warmth. Flower buds should not be exposed to more than 16°C, but if they are, female flowers won't develop properly or produce oranges (this is not a problem in greenhouses). Oranges generally bloom from February to late May, but plants grown indoors bloom usually in March. In case the flowering orange trees undergo cold weather (even for a week) after initial warm weather, they start massively blooming again in July.
Fruit of orange trees and also other citruses is sometimes called Hesperdium. Its rind is divided into strong protective layer (pericarp), which is well attached to the pigmented central layer - flavedo (exocarp). Exocarp is attached to the inner part called albedo (mesocarp). Flavedo contains small sacs with fragrant essential oils.
Orange pulp (endocarp) is divided into many segments (usually 10-13) covered with thin membranes. Segments are made of spiral juice sacs, flesh and seeds (if they are present - they are located in the central fruit part and contain around 15% oils).
Variegated varieties
Orange fruit is divided into 4 main groups (based on its characteristics). The first group is represented by the most widely cultivated varieties, which make up to 2/3 of all cultivated oranges in the world. This group is called BLONDES and is represented by fruit with orange rind and light yellow/yellow-orange pulp. Blondes are furthermore divided into several sub-groups:
Early varieties - these cultivars ripen from September to the early November.
Abu Sara Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
Abu sorri, Abusori
'Abu sorri' belongs to the Blondes group. It is a very early Middle East variety that originates in Abukír-Kafr el Dawar, Egypt. 'Abu sorri' has light green leaves with narrow petioles decorated by small wings and quite high drought resistance and low humidity. It produces average (8cm) fruit with intensive rind color and delicious pulp. The fruit ripens in December and 'Abu sorri' is an excellent indoor variety.
No name hotel Korali - Gradac Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
This is probably a seedling from a tree growing next to the Hotel Korali in Croatian Gradac.
Omishima Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
Ohmishima
'Omishima' probably originates in Japan. It is an early variety with smaller, yet very delicious fruit, which ripens in November.
'Slava Mičurina' is most extraordinary chimera that was discovered on a tiny piece of kalus between the Poncirus rootstock and orange graft. A small bud appeared and formed on this kalus as a result of Prof. Mamporii's work in Suchum, former USSR (Georgia nowadays). It was named after soviet expert in breeding, Mičurin. 'Slava Mičurina' has both, poncirus and orange characteristics and is frost hardy to certain temperatures. It is also unsure, whether it should be among oranges and belong to the same orange family. It has small, both trifoliate and simple leaves and small, edible, sweet and delicious fruit.
Semi-early varieties - these varieties ripen from December to January in subtropical climates.
Abchazskij Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
Abchazskij městnyj
'Abchazskij Mestnyj' probably originates in Abchasia, fromer USSR, Gruzie.
Shamouti Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
Addorosa, Ahmer jaffa, Cyprus Oval, de Jaffa, Florida Jaffa, Chami, Chamouti, Iafaoui Beladi, Iaffaoui, Iaffaoui douce, Israeli, Jaffa, Jaffaoui, Jappa, Joba, Joppa, Joppa Late, Joppe, Palestine Jaffa, Ronde, Rounded Jaffa, Shamouti Beladi, Shamouti Iaffaoui, Shamoutis, Yafa, Yafawi, Yaffaoui, Yaffaoui Chamouti
'Jappa' is the best, semi-early American variety that was discovered in 1844 near Jaffa, Israel as a mutation of 'Commune' ('Beladi'). 'Jappa' seeds were brought to Florida in 1883 and thanks to its superior cold tolerance; almost no seeds in the fruit and delicious pulp soon became one of the most popular and important varieties known only as 'Jaffa'. It is also widely cultivated in Israel, Cyprus and Turkey (nowadays being replaced by navel varieties and tangerines). "Shamout" shamout means "rod" or "straw", "Shamoutee" means "oil lamp".
'Jappa' is a robust, erect, average high tree with thornless branches and excellent cold resistance. It has large, broad leaves and is popular also for its high (although unstable) fruit production. The solid, spherical fruit is quite average in size (6,5-7cm) and flattened on the poles. It has orange, very intensively colored, slightly pebbled and grainy rind. 'Jappa' fruit's orange, very soft, fleshy, aromatic pulp divided into 8-12 easily separable segments. 'Jappa' ripens in the middle of December, slightly later in Israel and can't hang ripe on the tree for too long (the juices become bitter). Ripe fruit can easily be stored and is very popular in Europe. 'Jappa' productivity and fruit quality varies with the climate, soil and used rootstocks (grafted on lime 'Palestine' in Israel, on Sour Orange in Cyprus...).
'Jappa' is also ideal for growing indoors. It is called 'Addorosa' in South Africa and the original clones, 'Jaffa' and 'Joppa' have slightly smaller (5-5,5cm), spherical, elongated fruit with well attached rind and excellent, sweet pulp containing only few seeds. Clone 'Joppa' is also sometimes described as individual variety originating in the city Joppa, which is however just a Greek translation of Hebrew Jaffa.
Korolok neapolitanskij Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
'Korolok neapolitana' is a reliably fruiting variety with average, almost spherical fruit and well colored rind. It adapts well to our climate and is ideal for growing indoors. There are also other forms and clones of this variety, such as 'Korolok N°13' and others...It could be a alternative Russian name for one of the Italian "Sanguinello" group varieties.
Merling Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
Merlin
'Merlin' is a semi-early variety that ripens in January.
Late varieties - these varieties ripen from February to May (usually 12-16 months after blooming)
Calabrese Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
Calabrese Ovale, Calabria, Ovale, Ovale calabrese, Ovale o Calabrese
'Calabria' is ancient Italian very late variety with unknown origin. It is cultivated mostly in Sicily, where it ripens from April to July. It is a slowly growing, wide and high tree with very asymmetric crown and light green leaves. It is somewhat sensitive to cold and extremely high temperatures, but it can be extremely prolific in ideal conditions. The most interesting characteristic is that this variety blooms year long without any breaks. Most of the fragrant white flowers are present in spring. 'Calabria' fruit is rather average (7-8cm), oval and has small neck with deep ridges. Its orange or yellow-orange rind is relatively thin, grainy and well attached to the orange, soft, juicy, sweet, refreshing and aromatic pulp. The pulp is divided into 10 solid segments with 1-2 or less seeds. Ripe fruit can hang on the tree very long and even gets greener.
Cotidiana Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
Kotidiana
'Cotidiana' is a variegated Cuban cultivar that was bred from the 'Valencia' seeds. It has slow, weak growth and more horizontal habitus. Its most distinctive characteristic is variegated leaves (grey, white with regular stripes) and small yields. The striped egg-shaped or spherical fruit is very decorative, especially, when it is green. As the fruit ripens (late in the season), stripes turn the same color as the rest of the rind - orange (with slightly lighter colort where stripes used to be). Its sweet pulp has a hint of sourness, is very aromatic and contains small amount of seeds. Most of the clones have dry and unpleasant pulp, but there are some with excellent flavor and lots of juices, such as the one grown in Na Kociánce, Brno (in a greenhouse). It is also suitable for growing indoors and most usually grafted on Citrus aurantium. 'Valencia' is sometimes referred to as the clone of 'Cotidiana'.
Maltaise Sanguine Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
Bourtoukal, Demi Sanguine, Lessan Aasfour, Maltaise ½ sanguine, Maltaise ½ sanguine SG, Maltaise de Tunisie, Maltaise Demi Sanguine, Maltaise Semi-sanguine, Maltese Blood, Malti âssir, Meski ahmar, Portokallo, Portugaise, Portugaise ½ sanguine, Portugaise Blood, Tunisian Maltaise
The origin of this very old variety is unknown, but it most probably originates in Malta and was soon brought to Tunis. It was often referred to as C. aurantium L. var. melitense in the past. 'Maltaise Sanguine' has many various forms and each of them has different fruit shape, color and growing habitus. The rind usually has the same color as the pulp, but sometimes the pigmentation can be absent.
'Maltaise Sanguine' is an average high, very prolific tree that tends to have varying yields each year. It likes heavy soils and the fruit has such an excellent quality that this variety is in France called "queen of oranges." The fruit is average, slightly elongated or spherical and has quite thick, slightly grainy, very soft and easy to peel rind. Pulp color varies in every climate, but it's usually distinctively orange and the fruit's flesh is delicious, soft, very juicy and aromatic (it can be both sour and sweet) and it contains only few seeds. Ripening usually occurs from January to February and ripe fruit can hang on the tree long after ripening. They are not easy to store or transport for extended period of time.
There are many known, difficult to distinguish clones of this variety. The most popular and famous is 'Portugaise', which has slightly more erect leaves and branches and is widely cultivated in Algeria (because of the fruit quality).
Ordo Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
'Ordo' is very prolific late cultivar with vigorous and strong growth. It has several thorns and is very resistant to many diseases and pests. Its fruit is quite big and has delicious, juicy, orang pulp.
Varia Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
'Varia' is very old, most probably Italian variety with distinctive, willow-shaped leaves (just like C. limon Salicifolia a C. aurantium Abers Narow Leaf).
Navel varieties - There is a partially developed, small, rudimentary, secondary fruit (navel) inside each individual, seedless fruit. It is also easy to peel, segment and has excellent flavor.
Early varieties - these varieties ripen from September to November
Buckeye Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
Buckley, Golden Baskay, Golden Beckey, Golden Buckeye
'Buckeye' is a navel variety that was bred in California (just like 'Washington'). It is a small, not very vigorous tree with average (6,5cm), flattened or elliptical fruit with large nipple at the apex and closed navel. It has smooth, yellow-orange, usually thin rind with irregular orange stripes or ridges and orange, soft, aromatic pulp divided into 12 segments and lots of juices. 'Buckeye' ripens significantly earlier than 'Washington' and is also used for decorative purposes.
Fukumoto Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
Fukumoto-1
'Fukumoto navel' is a Japanese navel variety that was discovered in 1990 close to Kokawa-cho, Wakayma prefecture and was found in the garden of S. Fukumoto. It's been grown in California ever since then.
'Fukumoto navel' is an erect, quite high tree with typical, intensively green, average orange tree leaves and its young shoots are deep green. Its fruit is rather big (7,5-8,5cm) spherical or slightly flattened, weighs 300g and has small, well hidden navel. The yellow-orange or orange rind is pebbled, quite thick and softer than the rind of 'Washington' variety. 'Fukumoto navel' fruit's orange, soft, aromatic pulp contains lots of sugars, and juices and only a few acids. It is usually divided into 12 segments and contains only a few seeds. The fruit usually ripens from November to December, usually shortly after 'Newhall' and around 3-4 weeks before the 'Washington' cultivar and pulp is ripe before the rind colors up. Japanese farmers harvest it in February, because the fruit has better quality then. It tends to make lots of chimeras in California, but regardless that its rind can easily get damaged.
'Fukumoto navel' is a very promising variety for the future.
Morita Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
'Morita' is a navel variety, a mutation of 'Washington' that belongs to the earliest cultivars of all. It ripens in the same time as 'Skaggs bonanza', but needs more warmth.
Navelina Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
Dalmau, Early Navel, Italian Navelina 315, Navelina 7.5, Navelina ENL-1, Navelina ISA 315, Navelina Nucelar, Navelina Ricart, Navelina, SG, Navelina Torrente, Smith's Early, Spanish, Washington précoce, Washington Precoz
'Navelina' was bred in 1910 in the research station in Riverside, California, as a mutation of cultivar 'Washington'; it is however more resistant to pests and cold. This variety was introduced to Spain in 1933 as 'Early Navel' where it was later renamed and spread to Italy. 'Navelina' was released to public in 1968 and is the most important Spanish variety (tvoří t makes up to 65% of all late orange varieties cultivated in Spain).
'Navelina' is an average tree, very similar to 'Robertson' with wide, dense crown and typical small, dark green, elliptic leaves. It starts producing the fruit very early, but the yields usually vary each year. Its average, almost oval (7-8,5cm - smaller than 'Washington' fruit - that's why it is called Navelina = "Small Navel") fruit weighs 190-270g and its navel is smaller, less visible and resembles the navel of typical 'Thomson' fruit. Fruit's shape changes during the maturation period, which is a marketing disadvantage. Its intensively orange rind is quite thick, smooth or slightly pebbled rind is well attached to the red-orange, juicy, very sweet and completely seedless pulp. The flavor is not as rich as other varieties, even in full ripeness, which comes usually from October to November (5 weeks earlier than maternal variety). The fruit can hang on the tree as long as 3-10 weeks after fully ripening (although the rind close to the navel can puff occasionally).
There are several clones, such as 'Spanish Navelina' and 'Italian Navelina 315' which have presumably higher yields and the rind gets the ripe color 7-14 days earlier. The more fruit this variety produces, the smaller the fruit is and therefore a selective fruit removal is important. Nowadays it is starting to gain more popularity in Australia.
Newhall Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
Naveline, New Hall
'Newhall' is an early navel variety; it is a bud sport of 'Washington' cultivar that was discovered in Piru, Duarte region by Paul Hackney in 1950.
'Newhall' is an average high tree with small thorns in the youth. It has typical dark green foliage, attractive appearance and is almost indistinguishable from 'Navelina' (it is sold as 'Newhall' in Spain). It has average (7,5-9,5cm), spherical fruit that can weigh as much as 210-310g. Many people say that 'Newhall' has smaller fruit than 'Washington' and it usually ripens 4 weaks earlier than the maternal variety. Smooth, quite thin, strong rind is intensively orange in earlier fruit ripening stages and dark, almost red-orange color, when it is fully ripe. There is a big, hidden navel with a small, pointed end that makes it unique. 'Newhall' fruit's dark orange pulp is very juicy, delicious, aromatic, but still less tasty than 'Washington'. It's divided into 10 segments and usually contains no seeds. It has much more reliable yields than 'Navelina' and more damage resistan pulp. 'Newhall' is not very popular mostly because of the fruit's shape.
Skaggs Bonanza ® Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
Bonanza
Early navel variety, it was first obtained by Everett Skaggs as a navel mutation of the cultivar ‘Washington' in Strathmore, California and patented under no. 2970. Compared to parent plant variety, it is smaller, denser and more compact, more productive and starts to fruit earlier. It is more temperature demanding than lemon trees, but it dislikes high temperatures of 30°C during flowering or initial fruit development, on which this variety reacts with leaf drop or small fruit drop. Sufficient temperatures are 20°C for fruit development and 16°C for fruit ripening.
The fruit itself is medium sized (7,5 to 8,5cm), weighs 220-280g and has a spherical shape. Its rind is medium-thick, pebbled, yellow to orange in color and difficult to peel. The flesh (pulp) is juicy with well balanced ratio of acids and sugars, resulting in refreshing flavor. Segments are easy to separate and the whole fruit is completely seedless.
This variety is also idle for growing indoors because of its early fruit ripening and medium height. The reason, why it isn't widely commercially used, is its less intensive coloring.
Corrigated, Corrugated, Curlwaa, de Nice, Dungan, Garroway, Navel de Nice, Nice, Rocky Hill, Sheldon, T.I. Sheldon, T.I. Zimmerman, Thompson Navel, Thomsom Improved, Thomson amlès, Zimmerman
'Thomson' is an early bud sport of 'Washington' that was discovered in 1891 by A. C. Thomson in Duarrte, California. It is inferior to maternal variety in any aspect.
'Thomson' is a less vigorous, smaller tree with more compact crown than 'Washington'. It could be also labeled as a dwarf tree and is rather intolerant of psorosis and both: cold and extremely hot weather. Its behavior is comparable with behavior of many chimeras and the yields are varying and incredibly unstable. Its navel is turned outside, whereas the 'Washington' variety's navel is facing inside the average (7-8,5cm), spherical or slightly oval/flattened fruit that can weigh 150-280g. It has thinner, yellow or light orange very strong, shiny, grainy rind that is well attached to the intensively amber yellow, solid pulp devided into 11-12 segments. It usually contains up to 30% juices. 'Thomson' ripens 10-20 days earlier than 'Washington' and is difficult to store. It is replaced by more vigorous and reliable varieties such as 'Navelina' anywhere in the world, but China and Chile.
The only cultivated clone of this variety is called 'Dungan'. It was discovered on the plantain of J. Dungana in California and is popular because it produces fruit much earlier than most of the varieties. The clone 'Corrigated' has dark orange rind full of ridges. The clone called 'de Nice' has smaller fruit (5,5cm) with darker rind and only a few seeds.
Semi-early varieties - they ripen in subtropical climates from December to January
Jaffa - Washington Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
'Jaffa - Washington' is a cross of 'Shamouti' ('Jaffa') and 'Washington', they are ideal for growing indoors. Big differences between day and night temperatures cause the fruit's rind to crack. It wasn't registered as individual variety.
Navelate Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
44944-A, 44944-B, Navel, Navel Late, Navel Tardia, Navelate 105, Navelate AM, Navelate Burrium, Navelate Girona, Navelate Nucelar, Navelate P-2, Navelate Piquer
'Navelate' is a semi-early navel variety that was discovered in the orchards La Cala, close to Viñaroz in Castellón de la Plana by Adrian Gile in 1948 and has been widely cultivated since 1957.
'Navelate' is an extremely prolific and vigorous tree that can have thorns in the youth, but is completely thornless after the 6th year of growing (according to other sources it has thorns even after the 6th year). It produces very delicious fruit similar to 'Washington' fruit; it is oval, average (7-9cm) and weighs 230-290g with a less obvious navel. The yellow-orange rind is thin, smooth, leather, easy to peel and it has small soft pores. The fruit's orange pulp is very soft, sweet, juicy (up to 44%), is divided into 10 segments with soft membranes and contains no seeds. The rind colors up 2-3 weeks later than 'Washington' and ripens in the same time as maternal variety, from January to April, so it's not such a late cultivar as 'Lane Late'. After it is treated with giberlin, it can hang ripe on the tree 4 months without any significant quality loss. It is necessary to irrigate this citrus during the flowering phase. 'Navelate' didn't gain popularty in Morocco because of low amount of jucies in their climate and Argentinean growers found out, that its incompatible with Poncirus rootstiocks.
Prostějovský Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
'Prostějovsky' is a navel variety with Italian origin that was once brought to Prostějov, so it's not our local variety. It had many interesting and favorable characteristics and soon was propagated by grafting. Ever since those times it is called only 'Prostějovský'. This cultivar was never grown from seed. It resembles 'Navelina' both with growth and habitus. It's a vigorous tree with sweet, average fruit and dark green, leathery and shiny leaves. The rind has perfect orange color. It is well adapted to our climate and suitable for growing indoors. It is not a registered variety, but a local Czech cultivar.
Late varieties - these cultivars ripen from early Fenruary to late May, roughly 12 - 16 months after flowering
Lane Late Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
Lane Late nucelar, Lanelate, Late Lane
'Lane Late' was discovered by Lindsay Late sometime in 1950-1954 in Australian Curlwaa, close to Mildura, Victoria. It is a bud sport of 'Washington' and currently the most cultivated variety in Spain. It is second most popular navel variety in Spain, right after 'Barnfield'.
'Lane Late' is a high, vigorous tree with more spikes than 'Navelate'. Its fruit is smaller (7-9cm) than the 'Washington' fruit, weighs 230-320g, has more obvious navel, less sugars and lots of juices (44 %). It has golden-orange rind (less intensive color early in the season, more intensive, when the fruit is ripe, it can even get slightly green then) that is average thick, easy to peel (difficult to peel, if the fruit was grown in warmer climates). The orange pulp is quite soft, slightly worse than 'Navelate', juicy (up to 40 %) and is divided into 11 segments containing no seeds. The yields are not stable, but excellent anyway, a typical plantain tree can have 250-280 individual fruits that ripen quite late; it can be harvested from January to March (in sandy soils fruit ripens later). It can hang on the tree for a very long time provided that it was treated with giberlin (otherwise it will granulate and go green again).
'Lane Late' fruit can be processed to juice (because it contains only limited amounts of acids - limoninu), but it must be done so quickly, because it granulates and dries out quickly (especially those grafted on lemon rootstocks and grown in sandy soils). The rind is really strong and it can hardly be damaged during the storage process.
This cultivar is usually grafted on Poncirus in Argentina and the fruit has excellent flavor. It is the most widely cultivated variety in Chile.
Pigmented varieties - the fruit of these varieties has in certain climates distincitively red pulp. Most of these cultivars are grown in Mediterranean region, where they all probably originated. They are mostly cultivated in Calabria and Sicily. Growing these varieties is extremely problematic, because they require certain climate and conditions to create the proper pigmentation. Any of these cultivars grown in the tropical cliamate produces normal, typical oranges with no pigmentation what-so-ever. They are not suitable for processing into something else, but are an excellent table fruit.
Early varieties - these varieties ripen from September to November
Moro Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
Belladonna Sanguigno, Dam Al Zaghoul, Moro Blood, Moro de Catania, Moro Nucelare 58-8D-1, Moro SG, Selezionato
'Moro' is an Italian blood-red cultivar that originates in Catania, Sicily. It is a form of 'Sanguinello Moscata' and belongs to the earliest and most delicious pigmented varieties there are.
'Moro' is a robust, prolific tree with a very wide crown and varying yields. It has especially attractive small or average (4,5-8cm), shape and size variable fruit that grows in clusters and weighs 170-210g. It has a small neck and navel. The rind is very soft, grainy, slightly pebbled and orange with a hint of pink (orange when fully ripe). The best colored fruit is usually located in the north-facing part of the tree. Its pulp is delicious, very juicy (up to 42%), quite soft with excellent aroma and red stripes (thanks to antokyan). It reaches the best colors in November (almost purple) and contains lots of acids by the time it is harvested. Riper fruit has moredelicious flavor and the pulp is usually divided into 10 segments with little or no seeds. It is slightly less tasty than 'Ruby' or 'Tarocco'. The fruit ripens in Sicily from September to January and the longer they stay on the tree after ripening, the sweeter and better is their flavor (if they hang too long on the tree, they start turning pale). It is odle for growing in winter gardens, flats... but it needs lower temperatures in winter to get the proper colors.
Doublefine Améliorée Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
Bahia Sanguinea, de Malte, Grosse Ronde, Grosse Sanguine, Pedro Veyrat, Sangre, Sanguine Grosse Ronde, Washington Sangre, Washington sanguine
'Washington sanguine' is an early pigmented Spainsh variety that was discovered as a bud sport of ´Doblefina´ by Balthazar Ferrere in Saguntu, close to Valencie. It like Oran and Morocco climates the most.
'Washington sanguine' is a small, not very vigorous tree. It starts producing fruit very early and the utilization of fruit is very wide; it can be preserved and stored very easily. It is not so rare to find completely udamaged fruit on the ground in close vicinity of the tree. It's damage resistant mainly thanks to its both thin and strong, slightly grainy, smooth, shiny and orange (orange-red in full ripeness) rind. The fruit is spherical or slightly elongated, average (5,5cm), but bigger than ´Doblefina´, weighs 100 - 160g and sometimes has a small, hidden navel. Its very strong, sweet, juicy pulp is almost blood red, when the fruit is completely ripe) and it is usually divided into 11 segments containing at most 2 small seeds. 'Washington sanguine' fruit lacks the aroma and taste in the early ripening weeks and it is usually harvested from February to April. If the ripe fruit is left in the tree, it loses the excellent quality and its pulp dries out. It can compete with ´Maltaise Sanguine´ fruit only if it's perfectly ripe and properly harvested.
The fruit however suffers from several diseases which can be seen as small dark, sometimes black spots on the rind very close to the pedicel (and so it can cause also the fruit drop). The damage is usually best seen in February. The amount of damaged fruit can be up to 15%, but this can be avoided, if the fruit is harvested early and properly enough.
Semi-early varieties - these varieties ripen (in subtropical climates) from December to January.
Korolok batumskij Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
'Korolok Batumskij' is an extremely delicious hybridous pigmented variety than originates in Batumi, former USSR. It has big, almost spherical fruit with excellent aroma and flavor. The best pigmentation is forced in the fruit during an extended storing period in perfect conditions.
Tarocco Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
Bream, Chelif, Taracco, Tarocco #7, Tarocco Blood, Tarocco Dalmuso, Tarocco del Francofonte, Tarocco del Muso, Tarocco Dolnus, Tarocco Francofonte, Tarocco Chelif, Tarocco Messina
'Tarocco' is one of the blood orange varieties, it was a mutation of 'Sanguigno Semplice' discovered in 1930 by Guiseppe Brogna in Piedagaggi di Carlentini, Sicily. It is the most popular Italian pigmented variety.
'Tarocco' is an average high, not very prolofic tree with asymmetric crown and usually elliptic leaves. It makes up to 1/3 of the entire Italian orange production in Sicily. The fruit is somewhat bigger than anyone would expect (6-9,5cm), weighs 160-310g and is also compact, not uniformous and has not very thin, orange or slightly ruby, well attached, grainy rind. Its somewhat dense pulp is quite soft, juicy and usually pigmented with dark colors. It also has excellent intensive flavor, includes high amounts of vitamin C and is typically divided into 8 segments with little or no seeds. 'Tarocco' usually ripens from November to January, slightly later than 'Moro' and 'Ovaletto Sanguigno'. The fruit can't be left on the tree long after ripening, because it quickly loses quality, but it's asy to store.
Pigmented oranges grown in our climate should be left in some colder storage for a few days after ripening to improve the pigmenting of the pulp. This variety got its name "Tarocco" ("revolve like a duck") thanks to not uniformous shapes of the leaves, fruit and flowers. Grafts taken from old trees (25 years) are almost usually incompatible with the Poncirus rootstock. The cultivar 'Tarocco Rosso' is sometimes referred to as the clone of "Tarocco" and the clone "Bream" has slightly thicker rind. There are also many other clones and slightly different varieties, which ripen in different time. Many of them are also recognized as separate varieties.
Late varieties - these varieties ripen from early February to May (12 - 16 after flowering).
Sanguinello Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
Sanguinello Comune, Sanguinello S.S.A.
'Sanguinelo' is a late blood variety that originates probably in Sicily. It is cultivated mainly in Catania and Syrakus areas. 'Sanguinelo' is an average tree with spherical crown. It has elongated, average fruit with slightly grainy orange rind (not as intensive pigmentation as 'Moro' or 'Spanish Sanguinelli'). Its pulp has red stripes and is very delicious, aromatic and rich in acidic juices. It ripens from January to February.
Sugar oranges - the fruit of this orange group contains are low on acids and their flavor is very sweet. They are usually harvested very early, when they are green and unripe. These are the first oranges that are available on the market long before any of the Blondes or Navel oranges is even sweet and edible. These cultivars have mostly local meaning and are not exported. They are usually consumed only locally.
Early varieties - these cultivares ripen in subtropical climates from Spetmeber to November.
Trovita Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
Trovita A, Trovita Strain A
'Trovita' is an early, very juicy variety that originates in USA, where it was discovered in 1916 as a random wild seedling from the fallen 'Washington' fruit. It doesn't have any navel and was named by its discoverer H. B. Frost in 1928. 'Trovita' means "Found" in Esperanto. The cultivar was later registered in 1935.
'Trovita' is a high, very vigorous, erect and prolific tree with dark green dense foliage that tends to have varying yields. Compared to the maternal variety it has somewhat smaller, slightly flattened fruit (6-8cm) that weighs 230g and orange, quitethick, well attached rind with numerous ridges. There are albedo remnants in the segments. The light orange pulp is quite soft, very juicy, however less tasty than maternal cultivar. It is divided into 10-11 segments with 6-10 seeds. It could be compared to'Navelina'. 'Trovita' ripens from December, when the rind is still green to February. It thrives in dry climates and therefore it is cultivated in Negev Desert, Israel. Several specimens live in cold coastal California without any significant problems. This makes it suitable for growing indoors (in dry flats).
Vainiglia Sanguigno Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
Dolce, Dolce Lokum, Maltaise douce, Maltese, Meski ânsli, Meski malti, Portogalo Vagniglia, Vagnilia rosato, Vaignilia apireno, Vainiglia, Vainiglia Pink, Vainiglia Pink fleshed, Vaniglia
'Vainiglia Moscate' is a Sugar Orange variety with slight pigmentation tendency. It is an ancient Italian cultivar that never became widely cultivated. 'Vainiglia Moscate' is a high, very prolific tree with a spreading crown and average (6-6,5cm), slightly flattened almost perfectly spherical fruit that can weigh up to 120-130g. It has dark orange, thick, slightly pebbled easy to peel rind and a pink flower going all the way down the fruit to albedo. The orange-pink (the pink color is caused by lykopen, not antokyan, like in the case of grapefruits) pulp is very soft, sweet, aromatic and lacks acids. It is usually divided into 10 segments with only a few seeds and slightly bitter background flavor (the reason why it is not widely cultivated). Its flover resembles that of watermelon in full ripeness. It can easily fruit in greenhouses and flats.
Semi-early varieties - these cultivars ripen in subtropical climates from early December to late January.
Sucreña Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Pomerančovník
Canamiel, Grano de Oro, Imperial, Imperial de Malaga, Imperial Grano de Oro, Imperial Variegated, Miele, Puerto Rico, Real, Reina de España, Riqueza
'Sucreňa' is a Sugar Orange variety that originates in Spain and has many names throughout the world. It is a high, erect, vigorous and very prolific tree that produces attractive, shape variable, quite average sized fruit with intensively yellow-orange, thick, well colored and well attached rind. The orange pulp is rather juicy, very sweet and contains only little acids. It is unevenly divided into 11 very different easily separable segments with up to 6 oval seeds. It is very rich in sugars (both fructose and sacharose) and therefore can be consumed very early. Its flavor is somewhat weak without all those acids and it usually takes some time before one adapts to such a sweet citrus. 'Sucreňa' ripens from October to December and is a perspective indoor variety. Its importance in the world citrus markets however decreases every day. The clone 'Imperial variegated' along with another clone 'Imperial' originate in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and are sometimes recognized as individual varieties. They have very high decorative value and variegation in the leaves. The fruit is very small (5cm) and its rind has several stripes and many ridges. The pulp is divided into 11 segments and it ripens from December to February.
Oranges are typical subtropical trees that require a short period of time to rest in winter with temperatures slightly below 0°C. Dormant trees after harvests can sometimes withstand -7°C for a short time. Along with Unshiu tangerines and Sour Oranges, oranges are one of the most resilient citruses cultivated for fruit.
Habitat requirments - ideal location for cultivating orange trees is in the soil (greenhouses, wintergardens...), which can however be provided only by a few temperate climate growers. If it is the least possible, citruses should be grown in direct sun with regular fertilizing and adequate watering. Plants grown in pots or greenhouses can grow and fruit prolifically for many years and have very high yields.
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