In this section for my citrus tree variety information; the orange is a hybrid of ancient cultivated origin, possibly between pomelo (Citrus maxima) and mandarin (Citrus reticulata).[2] It is a small flowering tree growing to about 10 m tall with evergreen leaves, which are arranged alternately, of ovate shape with crenulate margins and 4–10 cm long. The orange fruit is a hesperidium, a type of berry. Note: Nothing requires a pollinator; may produce more fruit if one is available. < 25-30 F, need to protect all citrus. HARD FREEZE: 28 F > 4 hrs.
MY CITRUS TREE VARIETY INFORMATION/ SEASON OF MATURITY | SEEDS / FRUIT | FRUIT SIZE | COMMENTS |
AMBERSWEET OCT – DEC | MANY 10 – 20 | MEDIUM | Moderately thick rind, easily peeled. Flesh tender, deep orange color, good juice. When fruit gets too ripe starts to dry. Tree upright, dense foliage. Moderately cold hardy. |
BLOOD FEB - APR | FEW 4 – 10 | SM-MED 2½” – 2¾” | Unique sweet flavor. Rind orange with pink blush. Red pigment in flesh is dependent upon cooler temperatures; darker in colder areas. Medium size tree, very productive. Fruit can be round, oval or oblate in shape. Sanguinelly: Streaks of blood, taste similar to Valencia, fruit appearance same as Valencia. |
HAMLIN OCT - JAN | FEW 0 – 6 | MED 2¾” – 3” | Most commonly grown early season orange in FL. Excellent juicy fruit, low acid. Rind is smooth, thin, pale orange, easily peeled. Medium to large tree, moderately vigorous growth, very heavy producer. More cold-tolerant. |
ORTANIQUE Or(ange) tan(gerine) (un)ique Sweet orange X tangerine JAN - APR | VARIES | MED 2¾” – 3” | Extremely juicy and sweet. Used for fresh fruit (breakfast, salads). Rind is smooth, pale orange color, thin & oily. Pulp deep orange color. Large size tree w/ vigorous growth. Closely resembles Temple. |
PAGE Minneola [Duncan x Dancy] X Clementine OCT – FEB | VARIES 0 – 25 | SMALL 2” – 2½” | High fruit quality, very sweet, excellent for juice. Peel thin, easily peeled & excessively oily. Moderately vigorous, thornless, heavy producer. Noticeable leaf drop in winter. Cold hardy. |
PARSON BROWN OCT – FEB | MANY 10 – 20 | MEDIUM 2¾” – 3” | Produces a good crop of high quality fruit. Excellent juice fruit, juicy and sweet. Large upright, vigorous tree, bears heavy crop. Fruit is round w/ smooth, fairly thin, well-colored rind. similar to Hamlin |
PINEAPPLE DEC – FEB | MANY 15 – 25 | MEDIUM 2¾” – 3” | Juice orange: Sweet juice flavor. Med-large tree, heavy producer. Subject to alternate year bearing & pre-harvest drop. Fruit sensitive to frost. similar to Hamlin |
RED NAVEL OCT – JAN | FEW 0 – 6 | LARGE 3” – 3½” | Red colored flesh, very sweet. Attractive in salads, easily peeled. Excellent eating fruit. Tree has compact growth habit. |
TEMPLE (Royal mandarin) Tangerine X sweet orange JAN – MAR | MANY 15-20 | MEDIUM 2¾” – 3” | Excellent eating quality fruit with pebbly, thin rind that peels easily. Peel deep orange to red-orange. Pulp is orange. High sugars. Very good mid-season orange. Medium vigor, bushy, thorny, good producer. Cold sensitive. similar to Valencia |
VALENCIA Citrus sinenais Valencia MAR – JUN | FEW 0 – 6 | MEDIUM 2¾” – 3” | Juice orange. Represents 50% of the oranges grown in FL. Very juicy and sweet. Excellent for eating or juice. The last orange variety for the season. Rind remains somewhat greenish when mature w/ thin & tightly adhering rind. Vigorous upright, large & very prolific but some tendency to alternate bear. similar to Temple |
