Happy Urban Dirt

As you know, there are many varieties of orange trees and it is almost impossible to know them all. However, some stand out from others, such as: Navelina orange, one of those that can be planted in frigid areas and on not very good soils.

Want to learn more about this plant? Then read on because we’ve put together a guide to discover the features and care this plant needs to thrive. Go get it?

What is navelina orange?

To learn a little more about the navelina orange variety we have to go back to approximately 1900, specifically to the United States. Apparently this species originated there. However, it was not widely cultivated in the country and in 1993 it was imported to Spain. Unlike its country of origin, it is quite well received in Spain, both due to the quality of the fruit produced, as well as its productivity and earliness (bearing fruit takes little time). That is why it is still one of the most widely cultivated orange varieties.

Indeed, eating an orange from a tree will not be the same as eating an orange in a department store (or websites dedicated to them). Apparently, a navel orange tree in your home garden will produce oranges that will look nothing like those you can buy in stores. This is because because they ripen so quickly, treatments are used to avoid them, which means their flavor isn’t what it’s really supposed to be.

It’s an orange tree can easily reach ten meters in height, although nowadays it is common to prune them and keep them at a height of two or three meters.

The leaves are shadowy green, which contrasts greatly with the fruit it gives us. Incidentally, this can be obtained from two years of the tree’s life, always from mid or overdue October to February.

Regarding Navel oranges, as they are called, are gigantic and spherical in shape. When peeling, the skin usually separates from the flesh very easily and has a very intense orange color.

Navelina orange care

Now that you know the navel orange a little better, why don’t we talk to you about its care? Being one of the fruit trees that you can plant at home and thus enjoy oranges in the fall and winter season, it can be fascinating to have them at home. On the one hand, it will decorate you, and on the other hand, it will save you money on the basket (because if there are not many of you or you don’t eat a lot, you will have oranges from the tree straight to the table).

It is not a very complicated plant to care for, but it has some specific needs that you should be aware of. Especially:

location and temperature

The first thing you should know about the navelina orange tree is that it needs outdoor location. Even if you have it as a bonsai, it is best to place it in a window, on the terrace, in the garden… but always where there is full sun.

However, The sun of the north of Spain is not the same as the sun of the south, the latter is a bit stronger and may require more partial shade than direct sunlight. Unless you can be aware of it and observe it.

In terms of temperature, it is not a very exquisite tree. It tolerates high temperatures well, but also low ones. (about -5°C). Below this value you will have a problem because the fruit will freeze. For this reason, in places where the temperature drops significantly, it would be convenient to protect them with a thermal net (both the tree itself and the roots).

Subsoil

In terms of soil, navel orange tolerates calcareous soils (though best if it has a pH between 6 and 6.6). But you have to make sure you do good soil, fertile and, above all, with good drainage because it does not tolerate root flooding and it is better to observe it (so that fungi and crucial diseases do not appear).

A good mixture may be a universal substrate with earthworm humus and perlite or some larger drainage.

Irrigation

While it may seem that orange trees are water-intensive plants, the truth is that this is not the case. They need to be watered, of course, but not flooded; it is better to water less but more often than to spend time with it.

It is also one of the trees that they would work much better with drip irrigationas it can lend a hand you control the amount of water you receive and prevent excessive drying due to heat.

If this suits you, one general hydration tip is:

• If you have it in a potit is watered about 3 times a week in the summer months, and 1-2 times a week in autumn and winter is enough. In spring, this risk increases with the arrival of balmy weather.
• If you are on earth It is best to water it, as we have already said, using drip irrigation.

Subscriber

For Navelina Orange subscribers the best thing to do is employ organic or natural, as manure or with other plants (for example, the water used to cook tomatoes for fried tomatoes is a very prosperous source of these fruit trees).

It should be added in early spring, but can also be combined with citrus fertilizer.

pruning

Pruning is usually done at the end of winter or early summer. removing branches that look desiccated, diseased or crossed and prevent the tree from being well aerated.

It may need to be trimmed again in the summer, but only as a matter of maintenance to keep it from losing its shape.

Plagues and diseases

Some of the pests that the navelina orange tree may suffer from include: leafminers, red spider mites, mealybugs, whiteflies… Therefore, it must be observed and treated at the first symptoms. As part of prevention, you can employ Neem oil, paraffin…

In the case of diseases, you have a fungal or viral infection.

Multiplication

The way to propagate the navelina orange tree is by seeds. They are harvested in autumn and allowed to desiccated before planting in spring.

We have already said that the navelina orange tree is one of the most resistant plants, and besides, it has a fruit that generally has no seeds and has a very good taste, and is also quite productive. Would you dare to have it in your garden?